The Barbor Jewel

Accessories Myths

Myth: Gemstones were cabochons only.

Gemstones could be carbochons, or faceted in various forms.

"The stones are as varied as the items they adorn. There are the basic cabochons, the most common cut stone in the middle ages and renaissance. And there are table cut gems, basic faceted stones that were the first to be refined by renaissance jewelers. But, there are also rose-cut and star-cut stones. These multifaceted stones were not thought to be developed until about 1640, when we first see one adorning the illustrious person of Cardinal Mazarin in France."

Ceely, Alexandra. The Cheapside Hoard [Article] ©2001. Retrieved March 20, 2006 from the World Wide Web http://www.ladysmaidjewels.com/Articles/cheapside.html

The Barbor Jewel, made about 1580. Image from Williams, Neville. All the Queen's Men, Elizabeth I and Her Courtiers. ©1972. The MacMillan Company, New York, USA. ISBN not given.