gems, ancient jewelry, early metallurgy, gold, Black Sea, Hellenistic world, Greek jewelry, Galata

Exquisite gold adornments, often featuring polychrome decoration, were highly fashionable during the Hellenistic period in the Greek colonies along the western Black Sea coast. Whether imported or produced by local workshops, these pieces reflect the broader artistic traditions of Greek jewellery. They provide insight into the connections between the coastal cities and other Hellenistic centers, while also revealing local aesthetic preferences and craftsmanship. Such finds also illustrate the role of these colonies in distributing imported luxury goods into the Thracian interior. The development of jewellery in both the coastal colonies and inland regions during the Hellenistic era can be divided into three phases: the Early period (late 4th century BC to the first half of the 3rd century BC), the Middle period (second half of the 3rd century BC to the 2nd century BC), and the Late period (1st century BC to 1st century AD).