Roman jewellery was characterized by an interest in coloured gemstones and glass, contrasting with Greek predecessors, which focused primarily on the production of high-quality metalwork by practiced artisans. Various types of jewellery were worn by different genders and social classes in Ancient Rome, and were used both for aesthetic purposes and to communicate social messages of status and wealth.
A particular favourite of the Romans was to carve semi-precious gemstones to create cameos and intaglios.
Cameos
They nearly always feature a raised (positive) relief image and were very popular in the Julio-Claudian imperial family.
Schaffhausen Onyx. Augustan layered onyx depciting the goddess Pax Augusta. 
Eagle cameo. Two-layered onyx depicitng an eagle with a laurel wreath, c. 27 BC. 
Gemma Augustea. Double-layered Arabian onyx, 1st c. AD. (c) James Steakley 
Onyx cameo portrait of Claudius, c. 41-54 AD. (c) Christies 
Sardonyx cameo with a draped bust of a Julio-Claudian prince, 1st c. AD. (c) Christies 
Sardonyx cameo portrait of Nero, 1st c. AD. (c) Christies
Intaglios
Intaglios were gemstones that were cut into and gave a negative relief. The engraving of gemstones was a major luxury art form in the Roman Empire and intaglios were mounted onto necklaces and rings.
Carnelian intaglio depicting Aeneas’ escape from Troy, 1st c. BC. Getty Museum. 
Carnelian intaglio of Mars, 1st c. BC. (c) Christies 
Jasper intaglio with a hunting scene, 2nd-3rd c. AD. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
Jasper intaglio of a Roman lady, 1st c. AD. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
Carnelian intaglio of Sol. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
Agate intaglio of a capricorn. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Rings
As mentioned above, the Romans liked to include an intaglio in many of their gold rings but also used glass as a material. Another common trend was to see clasped hands on a ring which represented a bethrothal or marriage.
Gold ring with a carnelian intaglio of Tiberius. 1st c. AD. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
Gold ring with clasped hands, 3rd c. AD. This would have been used as a wedding band. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
Gold ring with carnelian intaglio of the goddess Nemesis. 1st-3rd c. AD. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
Chalcedony ring with female figure, 1st c. AD. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
Gold ring with depiction of Venus’ temple at Paphos, 1st-2nd c. AD. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
Glass ring, 3rd c. AD. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Earrings
Gold earring with ‘amphora’ and pomegranites, 1st-2nd c. AD. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
Gold and pearl earrings, 1st c. AD. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
Gold earrings with agate beads, 1st c. BC – 2nd c. AD. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
Gold earrings with cluster of spheres, 2nd-3rd c. AD. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Necklaces
Gold necklace with crescent-shaped pendant, 1st-3rd c. AD. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
Gold necklace with semi-precious stones, 1st-2nd c. AD. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
Gold necklace with coin pendants, 3rd c. AD. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Bracelets
Solid gold snake bracelets, among the most popular types of Roman jewellery. They were often worn in pairs, around the wrists as well as on the upper arms.
Silver bracelet in the form of a snake, 3rd c. AD. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
Gold bracelet with Agathodaimon, Isis-Tyche, Aphrodite, and Thermouthis, 1st c. AD. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
Snake bracelets, 1st c. AD. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
Gold bracelet with carnelian stone, 3rd c. AD. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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