Iron Ancient Roman Rings

Because of the wide influence that Rome had in Ancient times, they had a wide assortment of natural resources to choose from. Many of their jewelry styles were made from gold, and it wasn't until later on that silver and even a naturally occurring metal called electrum were introduced. This is an alloy of platinum, silver, or gold with small amounts of copper or other metals mixed in. This mixture of different elemental metals gave electrum a warm pale to bright yellow hue. It is found naturally in regions of ancient Western Anatolia, or Turkey, and Lydia.

This type of metal was also more durable than gold, and more wear resistant, so it would last longer when made into rings. This metal was also used to make coins. While gold refining was not perfected yet, silver was, and so silver could also be added to the electrum, making it even more durable and illustrious.

Greek artisans were most often used to create not only rings, but other jewelry of ancient Rome, so much so that it had distinct Greek influences. However, because they had their fingers stretching over much of the known world, there were also rings and other jewelry from other parts of the world, with pearls, jade, and many others. While at first ancient Roman rings and other jewelry was rather mundane, as they conquered other cultures, this changed to more flashier style. At first, ancient Roman jewelry wasn't so much for glamour, but functionality.

No piece of jewelry was worn more in ancient Rome than the ring. Roman males were only allowed to wear one piece of jewelry, so many opted for the ring. Sometime later it was acceptable for a broach to also be worn as a clasp for their cloaks. These were usually very conservative, and didn't have but a few semi precious or precious stones adorning them. Male heads of state had their signatory rings, but otherwise wore few items of jewelry.

Women on the other hand were not so held back, and wore a variety of different rings, necklaces, earrings, and broaches. Even gold coins were not immune, and were also made into rings. For women it was a sign of wealth and prestige. In order to curb the amount of jewelry worn, and to pressure people into conforming the accepted style, a Roman Censor, Marcus Porcius Cato drafted many regulations and rules about the amount of unchecked jewelry. He even put a heavy tax on dress and adornments, especially by women. Even the word censorship was derived from him. He felt that anyone who wore extravagant jewelry was a 'germ' of their family, and the entire family germs of the state.

You can read more about this, and a wealth of other information online. There are many websites where you will see actual pictures of these items, as well as sites where you can actually purchase ancient Roman rings, as well as other pieces. Be wary, some of these items are not authentic, and they are all very expensive. It is a good idea to shop around before you decide on buying anything.