Greece has a rich history in the jewelry industry that still influences the designs and trends of today.  It was around 300 BC that the use of gold jewelry became popular.  Greece is known for their gold jewelry.  They were also the ones who created the idea of cameo jewelry.  I am going to address to styles of Greek jewelry in that are in fashion now.



Have you ever heard of Byzantine Jewelry?  It is a style of Gold jewelry that takes the designs of the past and merging them with designs of the present to create classic and timeless jewelry.  It is a style of jewelry that is completely handmade mostly with gold and adorned with gemstones at times.  It captures the history of Greek art and the religious icons of the Roman Empire.  A very popular place to purchase this style is in Athens.  Although gold is the same price there as anywhere else, it is still cheaper to purchase it because labor is less expensive.  You can find some really good bargains if you are ever that way.

They are also known for their gold crosses which come in a variety of styles that capture different periods of time in history.  Another item Greece is known for is their worry beads.  The Greek word for worry bead is Komboloi which is a closed hoop and they are generally made of silver.  The more modern style which is a single strip is called Begleri.  Even though it is a huge part of Greek history, there is no religious connotation to these beads.  They are mainly for used for the purpose of relaxation or managing your stress. Lastly, the Greek style jewelry offers gold evil eye jewelry, silver stefana or Greek key jewelry all which have religious meaning and are closely associated with the Greek Orthodox Church.

While you may not find Greek Style jewelry at Gilbert and Frech, you will find unique craftsmanship and detailed designs that are timeless and classic.  Tomorrow we will take a look at jewelry trends of other European countries and how they are incorporated into the American culture.