them is shown by the fact that in Hadrian's ( 76-138 a.D. )
time, they were expressly associated with the gems of greatest value,
such being strictly differentiated from those worth but four gold
pieces each.48
Several
rings of the Later Roman period in the British Museum are set with
small diamonds. Of these the following are believed to represent
original settings :49
No. 779. Plain solid hoop with sides cut flat. It is set with a small pointed diamond. Castellani Coll., 1872.
No.
785. Thin rounded hoop, slightly expanding upwards. Pointed diamond in
raised oblong setting. From Tartûs. Franks Bequest, 1897.
No.
787. Angular hoop, projecting sharply below the shoulders, which are
in. the form of hollow leaves within a triangular frame. The bezel is
square and contains an octahedral diamond ; the sides are open and form
a kind of wave pattern. Castellani Coll., 1872. 3rd century, a.d.
No.
788. Type akin to last. On either shoulder is an openwork triangle. The
bezel is square and contains an octahedral diamond ; on either side of
the bezel is a small openwork triangle.
No.
789. Type akin to last. The lower part of the hoop has a groove running
along its middle ; either shoulder is cut away in a slight curve. The
bezel is square, with a triangular space left open in each side and
with a round opening below. It contains a diamond of octahedral form.
Franks Bequest, 1897.
No.
790. Type akin to last. The hoop is rounded without ; the curved
excision of the shoulders is more pronounced. Two double pyramid-shaped
(octahedral) diamonds are set in the bezel. A triangle is cut out of
either shoulder, and two smaller
48 Ulpian, L., 6 sqq., De bon. damnât.
49 F.
H. Marshall, " Catalogue of the Finger Rings, Greek, Etruscan and
Roman, in the Departments of Antiquities, British Museum," London,
1907, pp. 127-129, pi. xx, 778, 785, 790. and text figures 106, 107 on
p. 129.
