Orthodox Christian jewelry

Orthodox Christian jewelry jewelry has been used for centuries to express their faith. Compared to other Christian groups, orthodox Christians have decorated their churches lavishly with precious metals such as: bronze and gold along with gemstones. Remembering that their bodies are to be “holy places”1Cor 6:19, they adorn themselves with jewelry and gemstones that have been designed to reflect Gods glory.

In the bible, and throughout the orthodox tradition, gemstones and precious metals have been recognized as a reflection of Gods glory. “As the light shines through the crystal so he revealed himself to me as light.”St. Theresa of Avilla. The human soul was created by God to be a paradise, and his sanctuary is seen by God as the holy city in Revelation. Orthodox Christian jewelry may reflect these religious truths.

In Revelalation, the heavenly city is being constructed with precious metal and gemstones. In the same way, the soul in so far as it was created by God as a heavenly city, is likewise constructed. Jewelry can be worn with those thoughts in mind. Orthodox Christian jewelry design can help Christians to proclaim this truth to themselves and others. Like a stain glass window in a church can help illustrate spiritual truths when the light illuminates it. In the same way, the saints were reminded of spiritual truths through gemstones, because God appeared to the saints as light, like one reflected in a gemstone. There is precedent in the church fathers for seeing gemstone and jewelry as a way to express divine realities.

Artisans try to capture these ideas through the adornment of the church with light from stain glass windows, and the use of carvings, castings, mosaics, murals and the like.