Athena was selected as the patron deity of Athens following her celebrated mythological contest against Poseidon. The two rivals offered competing gifts to the city, hoping to earn the Athenians’ highest honor. Utilizing her renowned wisdom and strategic intellect, Athena offered the citizens the first olive tree. This single act rendered her triumphant, as the olive tree promised an invaluable, long-term source of sustenance for their burgeoning civilization. The tree provided the people with food, oil for cooking and healing, and wood for fuel and building. As a result, citizens hailed Athena, the goddess of wisdom, as the ultimate source of their protection, peace, and prosperity. The “Wise Athena” necklace set tells the story of the powerful goddess and her strategic prowess. This stunning piece features an ancient cast tetradrachm at its heart, depicting the goddess Athena in a crested Attic helmet. Olive leaves are embossed along the coin's border, their symbolism and green hue reflected in a magnificently cut emerald that amplifies the jewelry's radiance. The coin's reverse side features an erect owl, a classic symbol of Athena's legendary wisdom. An evil eye bead is added to the design, offering a symbol of the powerful protection Athena guaranteed her people. Ancient Greek tetradrachm cast coin handset in 22K bezel depicting the goddess Athena wearing a helmet. Owl on reverse. 430-420 BCE. Colombian emerald handset in 22K bezel. Phoenician glass evil eye beads set on 22K gold wire pendant. Circa 330-30 BCE
