The Eastern successor of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, continued most of the methods of the Romans, though spiritual themes came to predominate. Unlike the Romans, the Franks, and the Celts, nevertheless, Byzantium used lightweight gold leaf somewhat than stable gold, and more emphasis was placed on stones and gems. As within the West, Byzantine jewellery was worn by wealthier females, with male jewelry apparently restricted to signet rings.
They employed a extensive variety of refined metalworking techniques, corresponding to cloisonné, engraving, nice granulation, and filigree.
Some man-made gems can serve instead of natural gems, similar to cubic zirconia,…