Gemma Augustea: Roman cameo, early imperial period. 9 - 12 AD. Onyx, two layers. Image source: Wikipedia
The Gemme – original meaning of the term
The term "gem" comes from Latin and was originally used to mean "precious stone" or "jewel." A gemmarius was therefore understood to be a gem cutter. The technical term for the study of the properties of gemstones, gemmology, is also derived from the term "gem."
The Gem – Changed Meaning
Today, the word gem is mainly used in a different context. A gem is a gemstone that has been cut into either a cameo or an intaglio with a pictorial motif. A cameo is characterized by the fact that the background is deeper than the image, while in an intaglio the design is engraved into the stone.
Layered stones from the quartz class are particularly suitable for making gems. The art of creating gems goes back a long way. It is assumed that the first examples were made around the 4th millennium BC.
The art of gems flourished among the Persians, Egyptians, Greeks and Assyrians. Gems were often used as seals, not least on signet rings. Gems were also used in earrings and brooches, but were also used unmounted as lucky charms and talismans.
Over time, it was possible to develop increasingly complex motifs from the initially quite simple representations and to improve the technical possibilities.
Representations of the world of the gods, especially from Greek and Roman mythology, enjoyed extreme popularity.
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