Medieval Jewellery

Nicola jewellery offers a beautiful collection of medieval jewellery style items, such as gold and silver earrings, stunning bejewelled rings and chunky crosses on a chain. Tiny cushion shapes are arranged together with diamonds, amethysts and sapphires snugly nestled in gold or silver giving a medieval look to this dazzling range of handmade jewelry.

During medieval times the reasons for wearing jewellery were as varied as they are today, including accentuating one’s appearance, tokens of love, endowing symbolic value to the wearer, denoting social status and confirming religious or superstitious belief.

Medieval jewelry ranges from simple, basic jewellery to more complex adornments. In those days there were three different levels of craftsmen: apprentices, journeymen and masters, and it would take years of learning to progress through the stages to become a master craftsman. Bracelets, necklaces and rings were worn by both men and women and would range from merely a few beads on thread or leather, to more elaborate items made from amber, metals or glass.

If you wish to wear unique handcrafted jewellery with a medieval look, feel free to browse Nicola Jewellery’s gold and silver ‘Pillow Talk’ collection. Items can be bought just as you see them or if you fancy a more specific piece of medieval look jewellery, Nicola will be happy to take your commission and work with you on a personal design.

The term "medieval" comes from the Latin language meaning "middle age." The medieval period has become known as the age of chivalry, knights and bustling European market towns. Medieval jewelry was constructed by craftsmen using saws, chisels and lathes. Rings were polished and shaped by hand, but when using other materials such as amber and glass, the craftsmen were prone to making many mistakes. Finds of half made and broken medieval jewellery demonstrate there was plenty of wastage during the creative process! It was a tough learning curve.

Typical jewellery for women in medieval times took the form of pill-box shaped broaches resembling little cushions or pillows, bead sets, rings, necklaces and bracelets. It also seems clear that certain jewels were matched with particular clothes as regular costume accessories. If you wish to remember the days of chivalry and Knights of armour, purchase an item from Nicola Jewellery’s beautiful medieval style ‘Pillow Talk’ collection.

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