Damaskos Byzantine 18K Rodakes Gold Ring with Ruby & Diamond

This ring is defined by its surface work — a martillé finish that creates a velvety, light-diffusing texture across the 18K gold band. Rodakes, the small rosette motifs drawn from ancient Greek decorative tradition, are set into the design alongside hand-twisted wire detailing and granulation. The result is a ring with visible depth and handmade irregularity that no casting process can replicate.

Every element is shaped by hand at the Damaskos atelier in Athens. Martillé is a controlled hammering technique applied to the gold surface to produce a soft, matte texture — distinct from a polished or brushed finish. Granulation involves fusing tiny spheres of gold directly onto the metal without solder, a method practiced in Greece since the Bronze Age. The ring weighs 9.60 grams and is worked in 18K gold throughout. It is set with a natural ruby, a natural sapphire, and a round diamond of 0.02ct; each stone is 1.80mm in diameter.

Damaskos has operated as a family atelier in Athens for decades, producing work that draws directly from Byzantine and Archaic Greek goldsmithing rather than referencing it decoratively. This ring is suited to daily wear — its weight and construction are made for longevity — and is the kind of piece that holds its identity across generations without requiring explanation.