History of Precious Metal Use in Irish Jewelry

From as early as 6000 BC, gold followed by silver and platinum were used by ancient peoples in Egypt, Greece, Mesopotamia and Western Europe to craft striking jewelry.

The word metal itself is thought to stem from the Latin word metallum (mine or metal) or the Greek words metallon (mine or metal) and metallin (to search after).

Historically, the choice of metal for jewelry was influenced by personal taste and budget, as it is today. But only certain metals were deemed appropriate for high kings, emperors and pharaohs. Other factors also came into play in the ancient world. First amongst those was geography.

Before FedEx and UPS, the internet, and a global economy made it possible to trade with people on the other side of the globe, jewelry was typically made from metals sourced locally and reflected local tastes and trends. The style of ancient jewelry was also enhanced by the skill and knowledge of local crafts people.

That all being said, gold was the most highly prized precious metal for jewelry for many ancient peoples. This is in part due to its beautiful color, it’s rarity and importantly how easily it could be moulded and worked to make intricate pieces.

Ór- Gold in Ancient Ireland

Ireland has a long history of designing, producing, and appreciating captivating jewelry. And the ancient Irish were no different to any other people in their esteem for gold. Gold jewelry is generally thought to be associated with high kings and high ranking people with other members of ancient Irish society sporting bronze or copper pieces.

Ancient Irish crafts people used gold to create pieces unique to their time and place. A beautiful example of this is an early bronze age gold lunula (plural: lunulae) and gold discs from the Coggalbeg hoard which are now exhibited at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin.

Lunulae and other decorative necklaces called torcs were thought to be worn by men, women and children to display their status and wealth and were passed down through generations. Some were worn regularly while other more ornate pieces are thought to have been reserved for ceremonies and battle despite being quite heavy!

Of 100 distinctive gold lunulae found throughout western Europe, 80 of these impressive pieces were found in Ireland. This suggests a unique place in ancient Irish culture.

Although it is not possible to directly date gold lunulae, a wooden box holding one of these pieces was dated at as old as 2460 BC. And ancient artisans used gold not just to fashion lunulae and torcs, but also bracelets, cloak pins, brooches, ear spools (early earrings), rings and other decorative objects.

The Broighter Hoard uncovered by two farmers ploughing a field in Derry is example of the diversity of ancient Irish pieces with a stunning decorative torc, necklaces as well as a model boat and bowl.

This beautiful gold split ring is also part of the National Musuem of Ireland collection and shows impressive and ornate embellishment. Such designs with interweaved engravings, spiral, rivets and knotwork have inspired many of our modern day pieces of celtic jewelry.

The source of the gold for these pieces is not certain. Some may have been made by melting down earlier works. However, a large proportion of the gold is thought to have been sourced from Irish rivers and streams in the South East and North West of the island. Gold can still be found to this day in the waterways of the Wicklow mountains on the doorstep of My Irish Jeweler.

It is inspiring to think we are continuing a tradition of beautiful metal work in Ireland that goes back thousands of years!