Brangakmeniai, rasti per Vilniaus Žemutinės pilies Lietuvos didžiųjų kunigaikščių rūmų archeologinius tyrimus. 2 dalis
ENHaving conducted gemmological research in 2011-2014,17 gemstones and materials of organic origins from the 14th-17th centuries were discovered in the territory of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in the Vilnius Lower Castle that were used to make jewelleiy materials and other works. Modern non-destructive gemmological methods and measures allowed us to correct the identification of jewellery materials made earlier, and to determine gemstones that survived, yet in a poorer condition. The following kinds of rings were found in the territory of the grand ducal palace in Vilnius’ Lower Castle while conducting archaeological research: a gold ring with a garnet, a silver gold- plated ring with quartz chalcedony and perhaps a pearl, a gold ring with a ruby, a gold ring with a diamond, and a gold ring with turquoise. There were also carneoli, jet, coral, quartz chalcedony jasper and pearl beads: a mountain crystal pendant, a chalcedony, a silver gold-plated item of jewellery with a garnet and a pearl, and a single pearl that was part of an ornament or other work. Some of the artefacts were the work of a separate jeweller, others are examples of works of art from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods in Europe, evidence of the cultural ties of Lithuania and this region and the use of complicated jewellery-making technologies, noble metals and precious gemstones.A majority of the archaeological finds and art treasures kept in our museums and other institutions were examined through a gemmological spectrum either a long time ago or not at all. Even in the more recent publications, jewellery materials are still written with question marks in brackets. As such, it is highly recommended that Lithuania’s heritage treasures be gem- mologically studied and the results published, especially since it is possible to use non-destructive methods in Lithuania to identify mineral, organic and synthetic materials by using a database of over 5,000 samples. Suitable conditions must be created for the artefacts with the most precious gemstones in museums and other institutions where they are kept and exhibited. Fluctuations in surrounding air temperature, direct sunlight and electric lamps, not to mention chemical materials and reagents, are very damaging to the most valuable gemstones.
