Chain and chain and gem/bead necklaces were extremely popular during the Roman Age. It’s a show of gold and gems, both status symbols. Here are several examples. It should be important to note that these may appear more popular because they weathered time better, however, when you look at the Fayum Mummy Portraits you’ll see several examples which allude to their popularity.

Chain & Gem Necklaces

Gold and emerald necklace 1st–2nd century CE (Left)
Necklace with carnelian, pearl beads 1st century BCE –1st century CE (Right)
Necklace with carnelian beads 1st century BCE – 1st century CE (Left)
Necklace with pendant and glass beads 1st century BCE – 2nd century CE (Right)
Gold, emerald, carnelian, banded onyx, and garnet necklace 1st century CE (Left)
Gold necklace with emerald and variscite beads 3rd century CE (Right)
Amethyst (or glass) Necklace 1st century BCE – 1st century CE (Left)
Garnet, Pearl, and Gold Necklace 1st – 2nd century CE (Right)
Gold, Pearl, and Glass Necklace 1st century CE
  • ©The Trustees of the British Museum
Plaited Gold Necklace 1st century CE – 2nd century CE (altered) (Left)

Chain Necklaces

Gold necklace with crescent-shaped pendant 1st–3rd century CE (Left)
Necklace of Wire Chainwork 2nd century CE – 3rd century CE (Right) ©The Trustees of the British Museum
Gold Chain Necklace 1st century BCE – 1st century CE (Left)
Necklace Chain 1st century CE (Right)

Body Chain

Pearls

String of Pearls 2nd–1st century BCE (Ptolemaic Period–Roman Period)

Bead Necklaces

Glass Necklace 1st century BCE – Middle of 1st century CE (Left)
String of 65 Beads 2nd century BCE – 2nd century CE (Right)

Unless otherwise indicated, all images are curtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Public Domain).