MajorsDec 12, 2022
Archaeologists Uncover 1,300-Year-Old Necklace at Medieval Burial SiteCollectionsDec 28, 2022
Archaeologists Discover 3,300-Year-Old Egyptian Jewelry
A team of Egyptian and English researchers found the jewels in the Tell El-Amarna necropolis.
This ring, believed to be more than 3,300 years old, was one of the jewels archaeologists uncovered in Egypt while excavating an ancient burial ground.
Minya, Egypt—Archaeologists in Egypt uncovered jewelry believed to be more than 3,300 years old while excavating an ancient burial ground, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities recently announced.
A team of Egyptian and English researchers discovered the resting place of a young woman while exploring the northern section of the Tell El-Amarna necropolis, located on the eastern bank of the Nile River.
She was wearing a beaded gold necklace and three rings made of gold and soapstone.
SEE: The Ancient Egyptian Jewels Researchers Found
This ring is decorated with an image of Bes, an Egyptian god that served as a protector of pregnant women and children.
This ring was one of three found at the Tell El-Amarna necropolis.
Archaeologists also found this necklace with hollow gold beads resembling flower petals.
The researchers are part of the Amarna project, a joint venture between the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the University of Cambridge in England. The team works to explore the area and preserve it, recording and sharing their observations with the public.
Built in 1346 BC, the necropolis where the young woman was discovered was the sacred burial ground for the city of Amarna, which was the capital city under Pharaoh Akhenaten, the 10th ruler of the late Eighteenth Dynasty, said the Egyptian ministry.
Originally named Amenhotep IV, the pharaoh changed his name after introducing Atenism, a religion that focused on worshiping sun god Aten. Some historians call him the “heretic king” because Atenism was a far cry from the civilization’s traditional polytheistic religions.
“The jewelry was found on the body of a young adult female,” said Anna Stevens, assistant director of the Amarna project and a member of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Cambridge, in an email to National Jeweler.
“We are still doing our follow-up research after the excavations, but will be publishing a preliminary report in 2023. The cemetery is not exclusively for women, but was used by males and females of a range of ages, from infants through to older adults. The cemetery has both simple pit graves and some larger shaft-and-chamber tombs, suggesting it was used by ‘lower’ to ‘middle’ class individuals.”
One of the rings found in the woman’s tomb features Bes, the ancient Egyptian god of childbirth and fertility as well as humor and war. He primarily served as a protector of pregnant women and children and is usually portrayed as a dwarf with large ears, long hair, and a beard.
Another ring, featured at the top of the article, is decorated with hieroglyphic symbols that read, “the lady of the two lands,” according to Gamal El-Samastawy, director general of antiquities of Central Egypt.
The area where the excavation took place includes 25 tombs of senior statesmen and priests, carved in the mountains. The tombs are engraved with religious imagery related to Atenism.
The discovery follows a similar jewelry find by the Museum of London Archaeology, announced last week. Archaeologists discovered an ornate gold necklace believed to be more than 1,300 years old at a burial site in the U.K.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Collections
The Latest
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
