Gold and Gemstone Necklace

The Gold and Gemstone Necklace is a decorative necklace composed of thirty-two golden beads of various shapes, predominantly bulbous. Among these beads are two shaped like scepters. The necklace also features thirty-six gemstones, including Yemeni agate, red, and purple stones, as well as five pearls.

The necklace dates back to the second century and was discovered in ‏Ain Jawan‏, a historical archaeological site located in the northwestern part of Tarut Bay, northernmost of al-Qatif City, and southeast of Safwa City, in the ‏Eastern Province‏ of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The necklace was used as an adornment in Ain Jawan civilization, and features varying sizes.

The National Museum in Riyadh displays this necklace, registered under the number 1309. It was selected among various collections of archaeological discoveries from Saudi Arabia, to participate in the Saudi Archeological Masterpieces Through the Ages Exhibition. The exhibition‏ was launched at the Louvre Museum in the French capital, Paris, in 2010 and toured other countries in Europe, Asia, and America. The discovery of the necklace was among the results of archaeological surveys and excavations conducted by the antiquities and museums sector in Saudi Arabia over the past years, as well as the findings of Saudi archaeologists and scientific expeditions.

The beauty of the necklace is reflected in the artisan's success in harmonizing different gemstones based on their sizes and types, achieving a symmetrical design. The use of valuable materials, such as agate, pearls, and gold beads in one ornament signifies both sophisticated artistic taste and the high economic status of Ain Jawan civilization.