Jack Ogden (jewellery historian)

Jack Ogden
FSA, FGA
Ogden in 2018
OccupationJewellery historian
Known forAuthentication of historic precious metal objects...[2][3][4][5]
Academic background
Alma materUniversity of Durham
ThesisGold jewellery in Ptolemaic, Roman and Byzantine Egypt (1990)
Academic work
Main interests
  • Historical development of jewellery materials and techniques
  • History of the gem trade and gem cutting
  • Use of 3D graphics in re-creating historic goldwork
Notable works
Notable ideasFounding The Society of Jewellery Historians[1]
Websitehttps://independent.academia.edu/OgdenJack

Jack M. Ogden, FSA,[6] FGA,[7] is a British jewellery historian whose research focuses on the development of materials and technology, and the authentication of ancient and historic jewellery. He is considered one of the foremost experts in his field.[8][9][10] He has published multiple books and articles, lectured extensively, advised museums and auction houses, and served in academic and industry roles.[11][12][13][14][15][16][17] His 1982 book, Jewellery of the Ancient World (Trefoil and Rizzoli),[18] a study of ancient Old World jewellery technology and materials, received high praise and is still considered the standard work on the subject.[19] Ogden is the founder and a past President of The Society of Jewellery Historians.[20]

Biography

Early life and education

Ogden was born into the fourth generation of a family retail jewellery company[21][22] based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. He attended Clifton House School in Harrogate until age 13.[23]

From childhood he showed an interest in archaeology, particularly Egyptology. A visit to the exhibition Tutankhamun and His Time at the Petit Palais, Paris in 1967 is said to have influenced his later research direction.[24]

Ogden attended Tonbridge School for his secondary education and left formal education at age 16 to work in the family jewellery shop.[25]

Later, Ogden pursued academic qualifications: his PhD from Durham University was awarded based on his demonstrated work, with the thesis Gold jewellery in Ptolemaic, Roman and Byzantine Egypt. His supervisor was Prof John Harris, then Chair of Egyptology and the Director of the School of Oriental Studies at Durham. Although leaving formal education with neither A levels nor a university degree, Durham was happy to accept his 1982 book as an 'equivalent qualification'.[26]

He also obtained the Gemmology Diploma (FGA) with distinction from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain,[27] and a Diploma in Art, Profession, Law & Ethics with distinction from the Institute of Art & Law.

His first academic article, on Roman imitation diamonds,[28] was published in 1973. A detailed study of platinum group element inclusions in ancient gold objects[29] followed in 1977, that same year, conversations with the late John Goodall FSA on ways to bring together academics from around the world who had an interest in the history of jewellery led to the founding of the Society of Jewellery Historians.[30]

Publishers of his writings include The British Museum Press,[31] University of California Press,[31] Cambridge University Press,[32] Oxford University Press,[33] Yale University Press,[34] the Getty Conservation Institute[35] and several peer-reviewed journals. His books and articles are widely cited in the academic literature dealing with jewellery history and precious metals.[16] Although primarily focusing on jewellery, he has a wide interest in ancient Metals and contributed the chapter on metals in Ancient Egyptian materials and technology (Cambridge University Press, 2000).[36]

Ogden has made various TV appearances and radio broadcasts,[37][38] including interviews on historical aspects of jewellery,[39] and acted as a historical consultant and a presenter for a multi-part documentary series on sapphires by China state broadcaster Central China Television (CCTV).[40]

Career

Ogden initially worked in the family jewellery company founded by his great-grandfather,[41] James R Ogden and Sons Ltd.[21][22] In 1982 he acquired the London premises on Duke Street, St James's, and ran it as a gallery specialising in ancient and historic jewellery.[42][43] After the lease expired in 1985, he gradually withdrew from retail operations[44] to focus on consultancy work, research and writing.[45]

He has held leadership and administrative roles in the jewellery sector, including serving as the Secretary General to the World Jewellery Confederation and Chief Executive of the National Association of Goldsmiths (now part of the National Association of Jewellers),[46] a combined position (1995–2000)[47] and as Chief Executive of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (2004–2012).[48]

Ogden was appointed to the Treasure Valuation Committee (responsible for agreeing a value on UK archaeological treasure finds)[49] in 1996 – 2013, serving as vice-chairman 2007 – 2013.[50][51] He was on the Governing Board of the Egypt Exploration Society 1983 – 1990, and was a Trustee of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (2015–2018).[52]

Ogden was the Chair of British Standards (BSI) Committee STI/53 (Specifications and test methods for jewellery and horology) on which he has served from 1995 to 2000 and 2005–2023.[53][54]

In academia, Ogden was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London (FSA) in 1980[6] and a Life Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain in 2014.[55][56]

He was appointed visiting professor of Ancient Jewellery, Materials and Technology, at the Birmingham School of Jewellery Birmingham City University in 2019[57]

As a consultant, Ogden advises museums, collectors, dealers, and auction houses on issues of authenticity and materials of ancient and historic jewellery, taking a holistic approach that considers style, technology, and composition.[54]

Personal life

Ogden plays the 5-string banjo[58] and creates 3-D computer graphics on jewellery construction.[16] He lives with his partner, Sara Abey in Henley-on-Thames, South Oxfordshire, and has three daughters.[59][60]

Selected bibliography

Ogden is an author or co-author of several books and numerous articles on various aspects of the history of jewellery technology and materials, from scientific to popular. A full bibliography is available.[61] Many of his articles are available online.

Books and chapters in books include

1982

  • Jewellery of the Ancient World: The Materials and Techniques of Ancient Jewellery, Trefoil, London. OCLC No: 929802319

1987

  • Islamic goldsmithing techniques in the early medieval period: the Benjamin Zucker collection, in ed. D.J. Content, Islamic Rings and Gems, Philip Wilson, London. OCLC No: 908849111

1992

  • Interpreting the Past: Ancient Jewellery, British Museum Press, London and University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles. ISBN 0520080300 ISBN 978-0520080300 OCLC No: 716103810 Google books, Jack Ogden – Ancient Jewellery

1994

1995

  • The Gold Jewellery, In ed C.-M. Bennett and P. Bienkowski, Excavations at Tawilan in Southern Jordan, Oxford University Press. OCLC No: 879106095

1998

  • The Jewellery of Dark Age Greece: Construction and Cultural Connections. Ed.D. Williams, The Art of the Greek Goldsmith, British Museum Press, London. OCLC No: 39820658

2000

  • Ancient Egyptian Metals, Eds. P.T. Nicholson & I. Shaw, Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology, Cambridge University Press. OCLC No: 449825743

2003

  • Connections between Islam, Europe, and the Far East in the Medieval Period: The Evidence of the Jewelry Technology, Eds P. Jett, J Douglas, B. McCarthy, J Winter. Scientific Research in the Field of Asian Art, Fiftieth-Anniversary Symposium Proceedings. Archetype Publications, London in association with the Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution. Link to article OCLC No: 615473193

2004

  • Revivers of the Lost Art: Alessandro Castellani and the Quest for Classical Precision in the exhibition catalogue: Castellani and Italian Archaeological Jewelry, edited by Susan Weber Soros and Stefanie Walker, Yale University Press and the Bard Graduate Center. (Also Italian translation 2005) OCLC No: 907117272

2007

2009

  • A History of Enamelling Techniques in Enamels of the World 1700 – 2000, Ed. Haydn Williams, The Khalili Family Trust, London. OCLC No: 262894331

2010

2013

  • With Michael Spink, The Art of Adornment: Jewellery of the Islamic Lands, The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, xvii (London: Nour Foundation in association with Azimuth Editions, 2013). OCLC No: 913073688 The Khalili Collections

2013

  • Gems and the Gem Trade in India in Beyond Extravagance: a Royal Collection of Gems and Jewels, ed. Amin Jaffer, Assouline, New York. OCLC No: 839389448 Google books – Beyond Extravagance

2018

2024

Articles include

  • 1977 Platinum group metal inclusions in ancient gold artefacts, Journal of Historical Metallurgy, 11, 2. pp. 53 – 72.
  • 1990 With S. Schmidt. Late Antique Jewellery: Pierced Work and Hollow Beaded Wire, Jewellery Studies 4. pp. 5 – 12.
  • 1990/1 Gold in a time of Bronze and iron, The Journal of the Ancient Chronology Forum, 4. pp. 6 – 14.
  • 1991 Classical Gold wire: Some Aspects of its Manufacture and Use, Jewellery Studies, 5. pp. 95 – 105.
  • 1992 Gold in Antiquity, Interdisciplinary Science Review, 17/3.
  • 1993 Granulation and a Greek Astronaut (a reinterpretation of Lucian) Jewellery Studies, 6. p. 73.
  • 2005 Diamonds, Head Hunters and a Prattling Fool: The British Exploitation of Borneo Diamonds, Gems and Jewellery, 14, 3, September 2005. pp. 67 – 69.
  • 2005 The Great American Platinum Controversy'. Gems and Jewellery, 14, 3 December 2005. pp. 86 – 87.
  • 2016 A Matter of Opinion, Art Antiquity and Law. 21/3, 269 – 279.

References

  1. ^ "Jack Ogden Society of Jewellery Historians 40th anniversary speech" held at the Goldsmiths' Hall, London by Cordeliad on You Tube
  2. ^ "CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Public Appointments-Treasure Valuation Committee|Trustee|Dr. Jack Ogden", Bound Volume Hansard, UK Parliament, House of Commons of the United Kingdom
  3. ^ "VETTING COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP, Antiquities, Dr Jack Ogden", Masterpiece London – "Every exhibit at Masterpiece is vetted by a team of over 150 leading international specialists drawn from the diaspora of academia, museums, conservators, auction houses, dealers and galleries."
  4. ^ in Acknowledgements "I'm grateful"… "for the unique scientific skills of Dr Jack Ogden", Every Object Tells a Story by Oliver Hoare
  5. ^ Beyond Extravagance (2013), A Royal Collection of Gems and Jewels – "… this publication benefits from the scholarship of a celebrated team of contributors… Dr Jack Ogden, a renowned gemmologist and gem historian has written on the use of precious stones in Indian jewellery", Dubai PR Network – Gems and the Gem Trade in India pp. 348 – 383, ed. Amin Jaffer, Assouline, New York
  6. ^ a b "Dr Jack Ogden". Society of Antiquaries of London. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  7. ^ "FGA & DGA Register | Gem-A". Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  8. ^ "Ogden's combination of technological and art-historical information in jewelry studies has not been seen previously. He has broken new ground and established the path for others to follow." – Neil Letson, jewelry historian, in GIA Gems and Gemology, Winter 1983 p. 249.
  9. ^ The former curator of the J. Paul Getty Museum, Marion True, described Ogden as "a great English expert on ancient jewelry" in Michael Pfrommer, 2002, Greek Gold from Hellenistic Egypt, J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles p. ix
  10. ^ "Ogden provides a demonstration of the giant strides that have taken place in this area of Egyptology." – Oxford University Egyptologist Jaromir Malek Archived 24 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine in a review of Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology in the American Journal of Archaeology (AJA) 105, 2, 2001 pp. 338–340) on his chapter on "Metals"
  11. ^ "Most widely held works about Jack Ogden" "Most widely held works by Jack Ogden" – WorldCat, Network of library content and services
  12. ^ "Jack Ogden... Tools and Technology: Gold Working in a Historical Context" – Society of North American Goldsmiths Conference 2013
  13. ^ "Jack Ogden – Sunlight and Icicles—the History of Diamond Cutting and Assessment" World of Gems Conference III in Chicago organized by Gemworld International Archived 26 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ "we look forward to welcoming Dr. Jack Ogden, a world-leading expert in ancient jewellery, for a lecture… From the Meticulous to the Sublime" – Amaranthine Exhibition Launch Archived 15 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Kallos Gallery
  15. ^ In the foreword to the catalogue of his ring collection, Slava Yevdayev noted Ogden's "unmatched knowledge and expertise", Jeffrey Spier and Jack Ogden – Rings of the Ancient World, Wiesbaden, Reichert. p. 8.
  16. ^ a b c d Crespo, Hugo Miguel (2024). "Book Reviews - Jewelry Technology in the Ancient & Medieval World" (PDF). Jewellery Studies — the Journal of the Society of Jewellery Historians. 2.
  17. ^ a b Thompson, Sharon Elaine (Spring 2019). "Book Review: Diamonds: An Early History of the King of Gems". Gems & Gemology. 55 (1).
  18. ^ Author: "Jack Ogden, Publisher: London : Trefoil Books, 1982" WorldCat OCLC Number: 929802319 – Jewellery of the ancient world
  19. ^ In a review of Ogden's book, Jewellery of the Ancient World, Dr Reynold Higgins, former Keeper of Greek and Roman antiquities at the British Museum said "Here is the book which we have long been waiting for: the first comprehensive account of the materials and technology of ancient jewellery" and "This book is nothing short of a masterpiece" – the journal of Society of Jewellery Historians, Jewellery Studies 1, 1983–4, pp. 83–4.
  20. ^ "Volume 4 / No. 3 / 1995 | Gem-A". Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  21. ^ a b "Ogden's… one of Britain's most famous and prestigious jewellers." – Secret Harrogate' (2015) by Paul Chrystal
  22. ^ a b "36. Ogden's and the tomb of Tutankhamun" – Harrogate History Tour'' (2016) by Paul Chrystal
  23. ^ Eden, Anthony (14 May 2012). "Clifton House School old boys' tales". Anthony Eden. Archived from the original on 19 July 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  24. ^ Ogden, J. M. Jewellery Technology in the ancient and medieval world. Brynmorgen Press.  2024, p. 2.
  25. ^ "130 Years of Ogdens". Ogden Of Harrogate. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  26. ^ Ogden, Jack M. (1990). Gold jewellery in Ptolemaic, Roman and Byzantine Egypt (Doctoral thesis). Durham University.
  27. ^ "FGA & DGA Register". Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  28. ^ "Roman Imitation Diamonds By Jack M. Ogden, F.G.A." – Gem-A The Journal of Gemology, Jan 1973, vo. 13 no. 5, p. 179
  29. ^ "Platinum group metal inclusions in ancient gold artefacts… January 1977… J.M. Ogden" – Journal of the Historical Metallurgy Society, 11, p. 53-72
  30. ^ "Distinguished jewellery historian Jack Ogden opened the first session with an erudite overview of the long history of the study of jewellery, stressing the necessity of a holistic approach which considers technology and technique as well as style and aesthetic." – "SJH… reviews 40:20… An Anniversary Celebration" Archived 8 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  31. ^ a b Ogden, Jack (1992). Ancient jewellery. Interpreting the past. Berkeley : [London]: University of California Press; British Museum. ISBN 978-0-520-08030-0.
  32. ^ Nicholson, Paul T.; Shaw, Ian (23 March 2000). Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-45257-1.
  33. ^ "Excavations at Tawilan in Southern Jordan | WorldCat.org". search.worldcat.org. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  34. ^ "Diamonds". Yale University Press. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  35. ^ "Ancient & Historic Metals". www.getty.edu. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  36. ^ Cambridge University Press Catalogue – Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology Edited by Paul T. Nicholson Cardiff University Ian Shaw University of Liverpool
  37. ^ "The enduring appeal of this ancient resin, Claudia Hammond talks about amber to Victoria Finlay, the author of Jewels: A Secret History at the Gemological Association of Great Britain along with their Chief Executive Jack Ogden." – BBC Radio 4, Woman's Hour, 02 Aug 2007
  38. ^ "BBC - Radio 4 Woman's Hour -Gemstones: Pearls". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  39. ^ "Jack Ogden, chief executive of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, thinks the curse is just sour grapes. "Like most big diamonds the Koh-i-Noor is associated with bad luck, but that tends to be mentioned by people who no longer own it," he says. "Diamond was originally valued for its hardness, its imperviousness to man – the word has its root in the Latin word for invincible. As such, it became a symbol of enduring power. Man only mastered diamond when he started cutting it in the 15th century." – The Telegraph, The Koh-i-Noor: diamond robbery? by Neil Tweedie, 29 July 2010
  40. ^ Dr Jack Ogden explains the history of Sapphire ("蓝 简介： 从铁腕教皇英诺森三世到太阳王路易十四，蓝宝石见证了欧洲历史上神权到王权的更迭，映射着欧洲大陆波澜壮阔的历史。英国王室对蓝宝石情有独钟。从圣爱德华蓝宝石到帝国王冠，从猎豹胸针到戴妃蓝宝石戒指，直到今天，在英国，蓝宝石仍然延续着帝国悠久的传统，荣耀着自己的国民。肉体腐朽，宝石长存。这小小的石头让我们照见了生命的可贵，这或许是蓝宝石令人如此神往的真正原因。") – BLUE by Tencent for China Central Television (CCTV)
  41. ^ "J R Ogden… Born in Leeds. Lived in Harrogate throughout his life and ran a jewellery business from local premises in James Street; also ran a shop at 41 Duke Street, London, which remained in the family business until his great grandson Jack Ogden (q.v.) changed careers." – Research, Biographical details, the British Museum
  42. ^ "Interview: Jack Ogden". Antique Collector. 7 (8): 83. 1982.
  43. ^ "Visiting Jack Ogden, a fifth-generation English jeweler who was really more scholar than dealer, was always a special treat. With him pricing was a problem. Jack's prices were always too low. I would generally refuse to buy from him unless he raised the price somewhat." – Benjamin Zucker, author and gem merchant in his introductory essay to the catalogue produced when part of his ring collection as sold, Cycles of Life: Rings from the Benjamin Zucker Family Collection, ed Sandra Hindman, Chicago. New York and Paris: les Enluminures 2014. P. 17
  44. ^ "Jack Ogden says goodbye to his Gallery". Retail Jeweller. 22 August 1985.
  45. ^ "2016 Gemologist Jack Ogden closely examines the gems and notes that what appear to be single bore drill holes – thus more fitting to a later time period…", Timeline since 1898, The Piprahwa Project – One of the world's pre-eminent discoveries of relics of Gautama Buddha
  46. ^ National Association of Jewellers
  47. ^ Taking over from Michael as Chief Executive of the NAG on I July will be Dr Jack Ogden. He will also be nominated as the next Secretary General of CIBJO. – Gem & Jewellery News – Volume 4, Number, 3 June 1995, p. 1, 39.
  48. ^ "Ogden to Head Gem-A, Renowned gemologist and jewelry historian Jack Ogden, FGA, was appointed chief executive of Gem-A, the Gemmological Association and Gem Testing Laboratory of Great Britain, on Nov. 1, 2004." – JCK (jewelry the Industry Authority), 1 April 2005 by Gary Roskin
  49. ^ and in July 1996, the Treasure Act was passed. The Treasure Act replaced the medieval law of Treasure Trove in England and Wales. This Act gave some protection to certain archaeological finds, acting to encourage their reporting. However, a great many objects were being found by members of the public which were not 'treasure', but which were nonetheless important in building up knowledge of the archaeology and history of England and Wales. The Treasure Act code of practice" – Portable Antiquities Scheme Archived 29 March 2025 at the Wayback Machine
  50. ^ "History and former members With the commencement of the Treasure Act on 24 September 1997, the Treasure Valuation Committee replaced the earlier Treasure Trove Reviewing Committee. Those who have served on the Treasure Valuation Committee include:… Jack Ogden – An archaeologist and historian focusing on the development of jewellery materials and techniques" – Treasure Valuation Committee (Jack Ogden is the second from left in the photo, Treasure Valuation Committee at work)
  51. ^ "Treasure Valuation Committee agree £3.285 million valuation for the Staffordshire Anglo-Saxon Hoard... The members of the Committee are: Professor Norman Palmer, CBE (Chairman), …Dr Jack Ogden" – British Museum Press releases, Staffordshire hoard valuation
  52. ^ "Officers & Council Members… MEMBERS OF THE BOARD… J. Ogden" – Council Members of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain
  53. ^ "Committee members… Individual Capacity – Gemmology & Precious Metals Expert" – STI/53 – Specifications and test methods for jewellery and horology, Bsi Standards Development
  54. ^ a b Branstrator, Brecken (September–October 2025). "Profile: Jewelry Historian Jack Ogden" (PDF). Gemguide.
  55. ^ "Graduation Ceremony and Presentation of Awards" (PDF). Gems&Jewellery. 23 (9): 15. November–December 2014.
  56. ^ Writer, Staff (7 November 2014). "Gem-A reveals graduation ceremony award winners". Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  57. ^ "Other scholars and practitioners". Birmingham City University. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  58. ^ Jack Ogden published on YouTube, Nov 5, 2014, "First attempt at creating and playing my banjo along with a backing track using Band in a Box. The track is fairly simple, key of G and usual banjo tuning."
  59. ^ Ogden, Jack (1 January 2018). Diamonds: An Early History of the King of Gems. Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-21566-3.
  60. ^ "From beginning of jewellery to modern 'plague' of fakes". www.henleystandard.co.uk. 10 June 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  61. ^ BIBLIOGRAPHY – Jack Ogden, Academia.edu, a platform for academics to share research papers – Mission: "to accelerate the world's research."
  62. ^ "Book Review | Diamond | An Early History of the King of Gems (2018) | LotusGemology.com". lotusgemology.com. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
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