It's pretty dubious that crowns were around. The oldest crowns go back to the Archaemid Persian Empire founded by Cyrus the Great, & it was only with the adoption by Constantine I of a crown as symbol of the Holy Roman Emperor, that they attained their modern sense. Annointing with oils is probably the oldest symbol of attaining special rank, & is still part of the English coronation.

See alternatively for instance sceptres, Sutton Hoo helmet, Celtic torcs, and other symbols - a torc represented wealth that could pay an army, like Vikings used 'ring breaker' as a kenning for someone noble, because they could dish out wealth. In England Edward II pawned his Great Crown in Flanders. Three crowns and other jewels were held by the Bishop of London and the Earl of Arundel as security for a loan in the 1370s.

The crown is an elaboration of a diadem or headband, which gained it's prestige in Greek culture from the link with the laurel wreaths & silk ribbons awarded sporting and playwriting champions at religious games. Such a garland or fillet came also (later) to symbolise nobility.

Nearly all jewels in the pre-medieval world would have been cut 'en cabochon', rather than faceted. Gold and silver have always been appreciated for not discolouring or oxidising, plus being highly ductile - most ancient gold work was done with beaten wires, rather than being cast. Onyx, glass, garnets, and other things now semi-precious or not precious, have been highly valued.

The Sutton Hoo helmet from 625AD,had an iron cap and neck guard, and a face mask decorated with images of animals and warriors in copper-alloy and set with garnets: "The visage contains eyebrows, a nose, and moustache, creating the image of a man joined by a dragon's head to become a soaring dragon with outstretched wings."

It was common for ordinary items, like maces, and war helms, and libation bowls like patens, to get elaborated into royal symbols and ceremonial or processional items.

It's pretty dubious that crowns were around. The oldest crowns go back to the Archaemid Persian Empire founded by Cyrus the Great, & it was only with the adoption by Constantine I of a crown as symbol of the Holy Roman Emperor, that they attained their modern sense. Annointing with oils is probably the oldest symbol of attaining special rank, & is still part of the English coronation.

See alternatively for instance sceptres, Sutton Hoo helmet, Celtic torcs, and other symbols - a torc represented wealth that could pay an army, like Vikings used 'ring breaker' as a kenning for someone noble, because they could dish out wealth. In England Edward II pawned his Great Crown in Flanders. Three crowns and other jewels were held by the Bishop of London and the Earl of Arundel as security for a loan in the 1370s.

The crown is an elaboration of a diadem or headband, which gained it's prestige in Greek culture from the link with the laurel wreaths & silk ribbons awarded sporting and playwriting champions at religious games. Such a garland or fillet came also (later) to symbolise nobility.

Nearly all jewels in the pre-medieval world would have been cut 'en cabochon', rather than faceted. Gold and silver have always been appreciated for not discolouring or oxidising, plus being highly ductile - most ancient gold work was done with beaten wires, rather than being cast. Onyx, glass, garnets, and other things now semi-precious or not precious, have been highly valued.

The Sutton Hoo helmet from 625AD,had an iron cap and neck guard, and a face mask decorated with images of animals and warriors in copper-alloy and set with garnets: "The visage contains eyebrows, a nose, and moustache, creating the image of a man joined by a dragon's head to become a soaring dragon with outstretched wings."

It was common for ordinary items, like maces, whetstones, shepherds crooks, war helms, and libation bowls like patens, to get elaborated into royal symbols and ceremonial or processional items.