Guides and Answers

Aurora Antiqua

All you need to know about ancient jewelry

Rings, coins and artifacts from the Roman world to the sixteenth century. What they are, how they are dated, what they cost, and how to buy one without getting it wrong.

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A roman gold ring from the Aurora Antiqua Roman jewelry collectionRoman jewelryWhat Roman jewelry was, what rings were made of, how a signet sealed, how a ring is dated by form, and what one costs.14 minRead the guideA medieval silver ring from the Aurora Antiqua Medieval jewelry collectionMedieval jewelryRings, crosses and seals from the ninth to the sixteenth century, what a crusader ring really means, and how a medieval ring is dated.15 minRead the guideA roman silver coin from the Aurora Antiqua Buying ancient artifacts collectionBuying ancient artifactsWhether it is legal to buy and own antiquities, what provenance is, and how to tell an authentic piece from a modern copy.13 minRead the guideA roman gold ring from the Aurora Antiqua Ancient jewelry collectionAncient jewelryWhat counts as ancient, how it differs from antique, how it is dated, and whether it can be worn every day.13 minRead the guide

Browse the catalogue

A roman gold ring from the Aurora Antiqua Ancient Roman Rings collectionAncient Roman RingsA medieval silver ring from the Aurora Antiqua Medieval and Crusader rings collectionMedieval and Crusader ringsA byzantine gold ring from the Aurora Antiqua Byzantine Rings collectionByzantine RingsA roman gold ring from the Aurora Antiqua Intaglio Rings collectionIntaglio RingsA roman silver coin from the Aurora Antiqua Ancient Roman Coins collectionAncient Roman CoinsA roman iron ring from the Aurora Antiqua Artifacts collectionArtifacts

Roman jewelry

Antike römische Eheringe aus Eisen und Gold auf gealtertem weißem Hintergrund im historischen MalstilDid the Romans use wedding rings?13 min readRoman silver denarius of Trajan, 103-107 AD (RIC II), the worked example used in this guide: IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS V PP.What Do the Letters on Roman Coins Mean? A Latin Glossary10 min readObverse of Roman silver antoninianus of Philip I, legend IMP PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate or laureate bust right.What Are the Roman Coin Denominations? Denarius, Sestertius, Antoninianus, and the Rest14 min readClose up of an ancient intaglio ring with carved gemstone and aged metal band in warm museum lighting minimalist background in Aurora Antiqua palette romanjewelryWhat does Roman mean on jewelry? A practical buyer's guide16 min readClose up of polished carnelian intaglio set in an ancient style ring on neutral ede7da background minimalist museum lighting detailed engraving roman carnelian intaglioWhat is a carnelian intaglio? A practical guide to roman carnelian intaglio11 min readRömischer Legionärsring aus Silber mit mythologischer Intaglio Gravur auf hellem Hintergrund im alten MalstilDid Roman soldiers wear rings? Unveiling Mysteries of the Past14 min read

The full guide sits on Roman jewelry.

Medieval jewelry

Close up photo of a medieval bronze ring on archival paper showing patina and inscriptions centered on a minimalist beige backgroundIs it okay to wear bronze jewelry? A practical guide to medieval bronze rings15 min readMittelalterlicher silberner Ring mit Kreuz pattée und Stern von Bethlehem auf hellem Hintergrund gealterte MuseumsdarstellungWhat is a Crusader ring?13 min readClose crop of multiple medieval bronze ring examples on neutral linen showing varied patinas and textures under soft side lightWhat were medieval rings made of? A practical guide to materials and identification15 min readMittelalterliche Schmuckwerkzeuge und Ringe als Bleistiftskizzen auf gealtertem Pergament mit goldenen AkzentenDid they have rings in Medieval Times?11 min readClose natural light photograph of several antique viking ring types on untreated linen with soft focus museum label minimalist bright museum compositionWhat finger did Vikings wear rings on? A practical guide for collectors14 min readLabeled medieval pendant collection on archival paper with magnifying glass and jeweler scale on cream backgroundWhat kind of jewelry did they wear in medieval times? A guide to medieval pendants and related jewellery11 min read

The full guide sits on Medieval jewelry.

Buying ancient artifacts

Close up of a roman coin ring bezel set in an ancient silver band showing worn patina and intaglio detail on a neutral ede7da backgroundIs it legal to own Roman coins? A guide to roman coin ring ownership11 min readRoman silver denarius of Nero, 66-67 AD, RIC I-67, an example of a well-documented type from established European collections.Are Ancient Roman Coins Legal to Own? A Country-by-Country Guide9 min readCan you legally buy Egyptian artifacts? Practical guide to ancient ringsCan you legally buy Egyptian artifacts? Practical guide to ancient rings15 min readClose up studio shot of roman ring 916 on archival paper with loupe and calibrated scale showing patina and hallmarks minimalist background ede7daHow to tell if fake 916 gold? A practical guide for collectors12 min readRoman silver denarius of Septimius Severus, showing typical authentication markers: irregular flan, natural toning, and well-struck portrait.How to Authenticate an Ancient Roman Coin: A Collector's Guide9 min readClose up of worn Roman intaglio ring on archival paper showing carved detail and warm patina, minimalist Aurora Antiqua aesthetic romanjewelryIs Roman jewelry real?13 min read

The full guide sits on Buying ancient artifacts.

Ancient jewelry

Bronze ring with mythological engravings on aged white background in old classical Greek styleWhat is the oldest ring in history? A Journey Through Time12 min readEarly medieval gold ring Eadric with incised motif, three quarter viewAncient Ring Materials Guide: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Iron12 min readClose up studio photo of ancient wedding rings and alternative tokens on pale linen showing patina bezel detail soft warm light minimalist Aurora Antiqua paletteWhich cultures do not wear wedding rings? Evidence from antiquity and beyond15 min readSoftly lit studio photo of a late antique ancient bronze ring on archival foam with a conservator loupe and a high resolution macro image in the backgroundAre bronze rings safe to wear? Practical guidance for collectors of ancient bronze ring17 min readClose cropped photo of an ancient bronze ouroboros ring on archival paper with soft directional light and neutral background ouroboros ring meaningWhat does it mean to wear a snake ring? A careful look at ouroboros ring meaning13 min readIs it biblical to wear rings? A historical and practical guideIs it biblical to wear rings? A historical and practical guide12 min read

The full guide sits on Ancient jewelry.

Written by Aurora Antiqua, who catalogues and authenticates every piece in this shop. Published 4 September 2026, last updated 4 September 2026.