Remembering Ancient Rome

I have an ongoing and growing obsession with ancient Roman glass. Organic gems, these ancient fragments are found all over the ancient Roman world, and today the most plentiful sources seem to be Israel and Afghanistan. The glass has been buried for many centuries- some of it even more than 2,000 years. They've been drilled and shaped recently, but retain the gorgeous iridescence that has developed through centuries of chemical reaction to the environment. The climate in the Middle East combines hot temperatures and flash flooding; the centuries of this exposure caused chemical changes in the glass in conjunction with the minerals present in the soil. The iridescence produced is simply stunning, and these shards absolutely become jewels the way they refract the light and change colors.

Here are my latest creations...

The Streets of Rome; ancient Roman glass, hemimorphite, prehnite, citrine, labradorite at the clasp.

Vesuvius; ancient Roman glass, volcanic stone.

Antiquity; rare cobalt ancient Roman glass, pyrope garnets.

Ode To Pompeii;  ancient Roman glass, volcanic stone, pyrite.

Glass Jewels

I have long been obsessed with ancient Roman glass and finally have put my own hand and eye to the creation of some special designs. Sterling silver and precious metal clay accents are a gorgeous touch.


 These ancient fragments are found all over the ancient Roman world, and today the most plentiful sources seem to be Israel and Afghanistan. The glass has been buried for many centuries- some of it even more than 2,000 years. They've been drilled and shaped recently, but retain the gorgeous iridescence that has developed through centuries of chemical reaction to the environment. The climate in the Middle East combines hot temperatures and flash flooding; the centuries of this exposure caused chemical changes in the glass in conjunction with the minerals present in the soil. The iridescence produced is simply stunning, and these shards absolutely become jewels the way they refract the light and change colors.

Ancient Roman Glass and Silver Spirals

Ancient Roman Glass and Gemstones

Ancient Roman Glass and Silver Discs