Articles | Volume 33, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-33-221-2021
https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-33-221-2021
Research article
 | 
27 Apr 2021
Research article |  | 27 Apr 2021

A gemmological study of the reliquary crown of Namur, Belgium

Yannick Bruni, Frédéric Hatert, Philippe George, Hélène Cambier, and David Strivay

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Short summary
The reliquary crown, hosted in the diocesan museum of Namur (Belgium), was produced during the beginning of the 13th century. This beautiful piece of goldsmithery is decorated with approximately 400 pearls and coloured stones which were investigated by Raman and pXRF techniques. Emeralds, pink spinels, sapphires, almandine garnets, turquoises, and pearls were identified. The gemstones, contemporary with the crown, probably arrived in Europe by the silk trade road.
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