Roman Necklace

Gemstones from South Asia were highly valued and widely traded in the ancient world. The gems on this necklace are likely to have originated in India or Sri Lanka, before journeying across the Indian Ocean, through the Red Sea and then onwards to the wider Roman world. The Roman Emperor Leo (AD 457–474) later restricted the wearing of emeralds, pearls and sapphires to imperial use, demonstrating the high esteem in which they were held.