Gods of Olympus – silver buttons

In Greek mythology, the gods who ruled the world and human life lived atop Mount Olympus. There were 12 of them: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hermes, Hephaestus, Athena, Ares, Artemis, Apollo, Aphrodite, Demeter, and Hades. They inspired the creation of 12 buttons adorned with stones corresponding to each god.

Zeus – the king of the Greek gods, ruled the sky and lightning. His symbols were a thunderbolt, a shield (Aegis), and an eagle. Known for his temperament, he was the protector of family and state, guaranteeing political freedom and social justice. A diamond (diameter 1.5 mm, 0.02 ct) is set in the crown on his forehead. The button’s shape is an Aegis shield; weight: 5.5 g; diameter: 1.9 cm

Poseidon – the Greek god of the sea, lakes, rivers, horses, and earthquakes. He protected sailors and fishermen. Poseidon’s attribute was a trident. An aquamarine (diameter 1.5 mm, 0.02 ct) is placed in a crown on his forehead. In ancient times, aquamarine was believed to protect those who sail the sea, giving them courage. It is said to possess the healing properties of the sea, its peace, harmony, and brightness. Button shape – water; weight: 4.4 g; diameter – 2 cm; 925 silver

Hera – Greek goddess of heaven and fertility, patron of motherhood, marriage, beauty, and family. She was also the wife of Zeus and queen of all gods. She traveled in a chariot drawn by peacocks, which are her symbol. She was a beautiful, haughty woman, full of dignity and regal majesty, with large, dark eyes. An Ethiopian opal, whose multicolored, changing brilliance is associated with a peacock feather, is placed in a crown above her forehead. Hera is the goddess of the sky. But personally, I believe she represents a royal dignity and majesty that transcends her pain as a betrayed woman. She knows she is the queen of the gods, and this means more than her role as a woman. Button shape – peacock feather; Weight: 3.8 g; Dimensions – 2 cm x 1.6 cm; 925 silver

Hermes – Greek god of commerce, merchants, travelers, and thieves. He is known as the “swift-footed” messenger of the gods and the god of “persuasive speech,” because as the god of commerce, he could charm anyone. His attributes are the wings that adorned his hat and sandals. Hermes was credited with inventing gymnastic exercises, writing, and numbers. Hermes was a mischievous person. As such, the god was characterized by cunning and cunning. These traits were revealed in Hermes immediately after birth. As an infant, during his mother’s inattention, he escaped from his cradle and fled to Pieria. The Homeric hymn to Hermes recounts that as an infant, he stole a herd of cows from Apollo, cleverly diverting the tracks. A citrine (diameter 1.5 mm, 0.02 ct) is placed in a crown on his forehead, considered a stone of joy and optimism. Button shape – coin; Weight: 4 g; Diameter – 1.8 cm; 925 silver, gold-plated

Hephaestus – Greek god of goldsmiths, blacksmiths, and fire, whose wife is the goddess of love, Aphrodite. According to legend, he was thrown from Mount Olympus by his mother Hera because he was small and ugly. From this accident, he became lame. He worked in a forge inside Mount Etna. Hephaestus’s creations included a shield, scepter, and thunderbolts for Zeus, the armor of Achilles, and the arrows of Eros. Hephaestus’s attributes include a hammer and anvil. His crown is shaped like a headband, protecting his eyes from sweat and his falling hair, which is tied in a bun. The headband features garnets – minerals formed in volcanic rocks. The button’s shape is a volcanic cone; Weight: 5.6 g; Diameter – 2 cm; Sterling Silver

Athena – Greek goddess of wisdom, art, and just (defensive) war. She was often depicted wearing a helmet and carrying a spear, and her sacred symbols were the owl and the olive tree. According to legend, Athena was the daughter of Zeus and had no mother, having been born directly from her father’s head. The goddess had no husband or children, and as the goddess of wisdom, she bestowed knowledge and wisdom upon mankind. The lapis lazuli stone is most often associated with Athena, as its deep blue color represents wisdom, truth, and order. The lapis lazuli is placed on her forehead in the helmet. The button’s shape is a Greek shield; Weight: 4.2 g; Dimensions: 1.6 cm x 1.4 cm; 925 Silver

Ares – the Greek god of war, patronizing conflict, destruction, and cruelty. Ares had no wife, only a mistress known to all of Olympus. She was the beautiful goddess of love, Aphrodite, wife of Hephaestus. In mythology, however, he was not a clearly negative figure, as it was Ares who showed humanity the meaning of heroism and courage. His attributes include a sword, armor, and shield. On his forehead, beneath his raised helmet, he wears a ruby ​​(diameter 1.5 mm, 0.02 ct) in a crown. This stone corresponds to Ares’s planet, Mars. The button shape is the blade of a Greek sword; Weight: 4.9 g; Dimensions: 1.8 cm x 1.8 cm; 925 Silver

Artemis – in Greek mythology, the goddess of moonlight and hunting. She was called the “great huntress,” hence her attributes include a bow, arrows, a quiver, and her most common companion, a doe. Artemis was also the patroness of mountains, forests, and wild animals. She is the twin sister of Apollo. Their parents are Zeus and the Titaness Leto. On her forehead, a faceted moonstone (diameter 2 mm) with a delicate blue glow is set in a crown. The button shape –  crescent moon. Weight: 4 g; Diameter: approximately 1.8 cm; 925 silver

Apollo was the Greek god of music and poetry, of seers and fortune tellers, of healing, inspiration, patron of the arts, lord of the sun, beauty, life, and, at the same time, of sudden death. His playing of the zither and lyre was considered the most beautiful of the gods. Apollo is a tall and beautiful deity, with a delicate beauty. Immediately after birth, he received a chariot drawn by swans from his father, Zeus. His other attributes were a bow and arrows, a flute, and a lyre, given to him by his brother, Hermes. His companions were the nine Muses. On his forehead, a crowned blue sapphire sits, a stone with which she is associated and believed to aid in receiving visions from Apollo. Button-shaped – a lyre. Weight: 3.5 g; Dimensions: 2 cm x 1.5 cm; 925 silver, gold-plated

Aphrodite – Greek goddess of beauty, love, desire, fertility, and flowers. Her attributes included a dove-drawn chariot, a rose, an apple, and myrtle. She was especially revered by women, who saw her as the patroness of marriage. Aphrodite was born from sea foam and drifted for a time in the Mediterranean Sea in a huge shell. She landed on the island of Kythira in the Ionian Islands, but ultimately landed on Cyprus. Considered the most beautiful of all the gods, she engaged in numerous affairs, not only with mortals but also with gods. A pearl sits above her forehead in a crown, reflecting her association with the sea and the seashell. The button is shaped like a shell. Weight: 5.7 g; Dimensions: 1.8 cm x 1.8 cm; 925 silver.

Hades – Greek god of the underworld and the dead. Although he was the brother of Zeus, Poseidon, Demeter, Hestia, and Hera, it is not known for certain whether he was an Olympian, as he passed away to his own Underworld. His attributes included a scepter and keys, symbolizing his power over the underworld, but he is also depicted with a cornucopia (symbolizing his power over resources). He always had Cerberus, a three-headed dog, at his side. A black diamond (diameter 1.5 mm, 0.02 ct) sits in a crown on his forehead, a stone that is the opposite of the white diamond’s kingdom. The button is shaped like a rhombus (symbol of the earth). Weight: 3.8 g; Dimensions: 2 cm x 2 cm; Oxidized 925 silver, gold-plated eyes

Demeter – Greek goddess of harvest, agriculture, and grain. In Greek mythology, this goddess is associated with fertility, childbirth, and motherhood. (Her daughter is Persephone/Kora, the goddess of spring and the souls of the dead). Everything begins with her. A mother who provides care and protection. She is often associated with grain, symbolizing the harvest, the nurturing Mother Earth. An emerald (diameter 1.7 mm, 0.02 ct), a symbol of vegetation and fertility, is set on her neckline. The button is shaped like an oval surrounded by ears of grain. Weight: 6.7 g; Diameter – 2.1 cm; 925 silver, gold-plated.

The buttons can be purchased individually (200 euro) or as a set (about 2400 euro).