Orito Ring With Green Amethyst And Topaz – 13mm

“S” shaped spirals, intertwined metal filaments, and small spheres of different sizes are the most typical elements of traditional jewelry from the Indonesian archipelago. Huge silver bracelets—rarely gold ones—were worn by the Tetum men and women who lived in Indonesian West Timor. The Tetum used their jewelry not only as body adornment but also as artifacts and even as musical instruments during special festivities.

In Bali, jewelry is elaborated in smaller sizes, with designs featuring a hundred different patterns. These silver and gold rings became classics among Balinese jewelry artisans, who were specialists in applying tiny spheres and fine wires by hand.

When members of Magellan’s fleet, sent to investigate rumors of vast gold mines, visited Timor in 1505, the island was already part of a growing international trade network and a key source of sandalwood for China.