These Mediterranean and far east traders borrowed many of their ideas from
those with whom they did business. In design, their jewelry loosely followed the
patterns set in Egypt and Babylon. For this reason, their originality in the
world of jewelry can be found in only a few areas.
The one area where the Phoenicians showed the most creativity was in the
wearing of jewelry. Phoenician ladies pierced their ears along the rim to wear
gold rings with drop-shaped pendants. Earrings were not the only objects that
were worn in profusion. Women were ornamented by dozens of necklaces and rings
were placed on each joint of every finger.
Their one original practice developed that influenced future jewelry making was their use of gold granulation. This is the method of designing metal with
the placement of small gold beads. The Phoenicians elaborated on this procedure
to make some of the finest gold filigree to ancient
times.
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