When Gemmology Met Theology: The Transmission of Gem Knowledge in the First Millennium: Dr Jack Ogden
On Monday 28th September 2026, the Wyvern Research Institute hosted a lecture by Dr Jack Ogden entitled When Gemmology Met Theology: The Transmission of Gem Knowledge in the First Millennium.
Ancient classical gemmology survived centuries of monastic copying — less for scientific inquiry than for theological utility, providing necessary context for gems in the Bible. This talk explored how early Christian and patristic writers viewed these stones, both as physical objects and textual symbols, using allegories to reframe earthly treasures as reflections of divine glory rather than human avarice. Though early authors often distorted gemmological facts with stretched symbolism, their preservation efforts kept the discipline alive through the first millennium. Ultimately, this preserved, sometimes garbled knowledge with new practical data and actual gems arriving in Europe from the east from the twelfth century have combined to set the stage for modern gemmology.
About the Speaker:
Dr Jack Ogden is an acknowledged British expert in the history of jewellery and gems. He has written extensively on these subjects and lectured worldwide. Recent books include Diamonds: An Early History of the King of Gems (Yale University Press, 2018) and Jewelry Technology in the Ancient and Medieval World (Brynmorgen, 2024). He has contributed chapters to three of the Wyvern catalogues and is currently writing a book on gem knowledge during the first millennium. He was the founder and past president of the Society of Jewellery Historians, holds a Doctorate from Durham University, Department of Oriental Studies, and was awarded the Gemmological Association of Great Britain Diploma in Gemmology with distinction. He is currently visiting professor of Jewellery History at the Metropolitan University of Hong Kong.