Gold Vermeil Chandelier Earrings

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The Byzantium Suite

I love the Byzantium period, and used it as inspiration for these earrings. Perhaps no other single style of jewelry combines ancient ecclesiastical forms with sacred artworks as lavishly as the Byzantine.  The Byzantine style dates back to the 4th century period. It develops in three distinct periods - Early (4th - 6th), Middle (6th -12th) and Late (12th -15th) centuries.

In the first period, there is a heavy Moorish influence, as seen in the decorations and mosaics of the Hagia Sofia of Constantinople.  Through its size and space-effect of the interior, Hagia Sofia is a representation of the infinity of the universe that makes us meditate at our size compared to that of the cosmos.  In the Middle period, we see Grecian influence through the heavy use of crosses, though the embellishment of these still harks back to the Moorish times of the early period.

The Late period of the Byzantine style shows the heavy influence of Rome, with saint icons, elaborate military braids and insignia, all adorning the iconic mosaics and saints, with their Moorish faces and clothing.  Byzantine art, at its zenith when the Romanesque style emerged in Europe, permeated Romanesque ornament and even intermingled with Celtic art in Scotland and Ireland.

Byzantium II-Carnelian

Carnelian is a form of chalcedony, a member of the quartz family. Folklore suggests that carnelian was used protect and guard against evil. Carnelian's healing properties are thought to help purify the blood and to enhance passion and desire.

Carnelian is a 7 on the Mohs scale and has been used for centuries to carve beautiful cameos.

These chandeliers feature 2mm Carnelian spheres, gold Czech seed beads all suspended from 22 gauge 14K gold wires, 22K vermeil findings in Byzantium style, and 14K gold French ear wires.

They are light in weight, but heavy in substance and style.

Byzantium Chandeliers - Carnelian - $90.00

Byzantium VI-Smoky Quartz

Smoky Quartz is a traditional stone for Scottish jewelry, with the original source the Cairngorm Mountains. Morion quartz gets its name from the old roman word mormorion. Pliny the Elder tells us, "Mormorion is a transparent stone from India, of a deep black color, and known also as promnion." Often called the Stone of Cooperation, it is said to balance energies, promote peace and settle arguments.

These chandeliers feature 2mm Smoky Quartz spheres, gold Czech seed beads all suspended from 22 gauge 14K gold wires, 22K vermeil findings in Byzantium style, and 14K gold French ear wires.

They are light in weight, but heavy in substance and style.

Byzantium Chandeliers - Carnelian - $90.00

Byzantium III-Opal

Opal takes its name from the Latin word Upala meaning precious stone. The Romans believed opal was the symbol of hope and purity. They called it cupid paederos (child as beautiful as love) and thought the wearer safe from disease. The Arabs believed that opals fell from heaven in flashes of lightning. Ancient Greeks also believed the opal had the power of giving foresight and the light of prophecy to their owners. Cleopatra is said to have worn an opal to attract the attention of Mark Anthony.

These chandeliers feature 2mm Boulder Opal spheres, gold Czech seed beads all suspended from 22 gauge 14K gold wires, 22K vermeil findings in Byzantium style, and 14K gold French ear wires.

They are light in weight, but heavy in substance and style.

Byzantium Chandeliers - Carnelian - $90.00