Materials
Some Migration Period personal ornaments incorporated costly and luxurious materials. The most common include:
HARDSTONE
Precious stone inlays were used by all Migration Period groups to adorn buckle plates and loops, as well as fibulae, earrings, sword fittings, and other items. The Visigoths were especially fond of red, green, blue, and white stones and made common – though not exclusive use – of specific stones to achieve these colors. These colors were popular amongst many cultural groups, including the Romans, from the fifth to seventh centuries.
See multiple examples of hardstone by clicking the image below.
GLASS
The Visigoths and other Migration Period cultures often incorporated glass inlays, sometimes imitating semi-precious stones (e.g. lapis lazuli, emerald, garnet or ruby, rock crystal, sapphire).
To understand more about glass in these objects, click below.
METAL
Different types of metal were often combined to create the most luxurious appearing personal adornment possible. Typical metals included copper, zinc, tin, lead, gold, and silver.
Explore how different metals were used in Migration Period jewelry by clicking below.
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