Gold earring from Roman-Byzantine period

We noted earlier here about the discovery in Jerusalem of what is thought to be a palace belonging to the first century Queen of Adiabene. Archaeologists working for the Israel Antiquities Authority have found a single earring. The IAA press release describes the earring this way:

The earring, which is made of a coiled gold hoop, has a large inlaid pearl in its center. Connected to the hoop are two identical gold pendants, each of which is adorned with one emerald and pearl. The emerald is held by a kind of gold cap that connects it to the main hoop by means of a small hoop that is also fashioned from gold. Another pearl that is relatively smaller than the one inlaid in the upper hoop is attached to the other side of the emerald. The pearl is fastened to the emerald by means of a gold finding, which passes through a tiny hole that was drilled in it.

The earring was discovered in the ruins of a building dating from the Byzantine period (fourth-fifth centuries A.D.). The excavators say that this jewelry could have been produced sometime between the first century B.C. and the fourth century A.D.

The earring and a model displaying it. IAA Photos.

I suspect we will see this design in stores soon.

Jesus spoke a parable that illustrates the value of a pearl.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46 NASB)