What is mosaic jewelry called?

“Mosaic jewelry” likely refers to a type of adornment called micromosaic jewelry. This art form, micromosaics, is the miniaturized offspring of a type of decoration used to embellish buildings as far back as 2500 BC. During the late 18th century and much of the 19th century, travel to continental Europe, especially Italy, was the capstone of one’s cultural education and conferred social status (the travelers were typically English men, and this is referred to as the era of the Grand Tours). Often accompanied by retinues of retainers on journeys lasting months or years, the elite travelers required artful personal mementos befitting the experience. Tourists resided near Rome’s Spanish Steps, and vendors sold small ready-made compositions and took commissions for custom works. After making a purchase, patrons took their mini masterpieces, which were rarely not more than two inches wide and composed of enameled-glass tesserae, to jewelers or artists to have them set in jewelry. Find a selection of micromosaic jewelry on 1stDibs.