Using ancient coins and traditional Balinese gem setting techniques, Steven Battelle’s jewelry offers history in the palm of your hand. The American jewelry designer and his team create rings, earrings and other accessories inspired by and incorporating historic coinage and materials used in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and Asia.
Battelle first encountered cabochon stones, which are gemstones polished and shaped rather than faceted, on a trip to Southeast Asia in 1987. A predecessor of modern jewelry, cabochons inspired Battelle to pursue a jewelry hobby while continuing to work as a veterinarian for exotic animals.
He became fascinated with the ornamentation styles used by ancient Majapahit Java and Siam cultures, eventually transitioning from veterinarian work to designing jewelry full-time. He developed a partnership with Balinese jewelry makers, a collaboration which became a key component in realizing his designs.
The Balinese partners hand-make each piece using traditional methods that have been passed down for generations. While conventional blow torches and modern tools are used in much of the work, the heart of the jewelry’s creation is grounded in an artisanal approach.
Find Steven Battelle rings, earrings, necklaces and more for sale on 1stDibs.
Ancient Greek 4th Century BC Zeus Coin 18K Gold Ring
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
An authentic silver "hemidrachm" coin from the central Greek region of Thessaly 400-344 BC is set in a classic handmade double braid (twist-wire) setting atop a matte-finish shank in this Steven Battelle creation. Zeus is the god of the sky in ancient Greek mythology. As the chief Greek deity...
18k Gold
Ancient Roman 1st Century BC Goddess Victoria Coin 18K Gold Ring
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
A beautiful, authentic, silver "quinarius" coin from the Roman Republic 89 BC, is set simply with a hammered bezel and hammered graduated shank in this ...
18k Gold
Ancient Greek 4th Century BC Alexander the Great Coin Silver/18K Gold Ring
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
An authentic silver "drachm" coin from ancient Macedonia 323-317 BC minted under Alexander the Great depicts the Greek mythical hero Hercules wearing a lion skin cape. Mythologically, Hercules acquired the lion skin headdress from one of his 10 labors: wrestling and killing the Nemean lion by hand. The reverse of the coin features Zeus enthroned, holding an eagle. This type of coin circulated widely throughout the territories conquered by Alexander, and was approximately the daily wage of a Greek hoplite (Soldier) . This particular coin was minted in the Greek colony of Miletus, which is now on the shores of western Turkey. It is set in a Steven...
18k Gold, Silver
Ancient Greek 4th Century BC Alexander the Great Coin Silver/18K Gold Ring
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
An authentic silver "drachm" coin from ancient Macedon 323-317 BC, minted in the name of Alexander the Great, depicts the Greek hero Hercules. He is shown wearing a lion skin headdr...
18k Gold
Ancient Greek 5th Century BC Corinthian Helmet Coin Silver 18K Gold Mens Ring
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
An authentic small silver "diobol" coin from ancient Mesambria in Thrace 450-350 BC depicts a warrior in Corinthian helmet facing. Mesambria was a Doric Greek colony on an island in ...
18k Gold, Silver
Ancient Greek 5th Century BC Athena Coin Diamond 22K Gold Ring
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
An authentic silver "diobol" struck in the ancient Greek colony of Thurium in Lucania (on the Eastern coast if the "toe" of the "boot" of what is now southern Italy) depicts the godd...
Diamond, 22k Gold
