Semi-precious

The term “semi precious” is applied to a subset gemstones, and the term was created to set them apart from what are considered precious stones (diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds). Things like amber and lapis lazuli, which are not really stones at all are still considered “semi precious” by most people. This distinction reflects the rarity of the respective stones in ancient times, as well as their quality. all are translucent with fine color in their purest forms and very hard. This distinction is not related to their monetary value, i.e. some forms of garnet are more expensive than emeralds.

Objects: Semi-precious Export: JSON - XML - CSV

U Number	Museum Number (UPM Date Reg Number)	Museum Number (BM Registration Number)	Museum Number (UPM B-number)	Description (Catalog Card)
8497	(none)	(none)	(none)	String of beads Worn over a silver diadem round the forehead. String consists of minute lapis ball beads and of oblong rectangular gold and lapis spacers. Gold and lapis spacers strung alternately with lapis and carnelian beads placed alternately between each spacer. Carnelian beads all minute ring beads. The silver diadem was entirely broken and destroyed. 6 gold spacers; 6 lapis lazuli spacers.
8525	(none)	(none)	(none)	Beads A string composed of 5 carnelian and 4 gold long double conoid beads L. 0052 and one flattened ovoid carnelian: and between these small fluted balls of gold and lapis: see field notes.
8526	(none)	(none)	(none)	Beads. Gold and lapis lazuli. Double conoids. Probably 2 strings confused. See field notes.
8527	(none)	(none)	(none)	Beads 16 gold spacer triangles formed of 2 minute beads with between them minute ring beads of lapis lazuli and carnelian [drawing] 1:1
8528	(none)	(none)	(none)	Beads. 15 gold ring spacers thus [drawing] 1:1 with between them small lapis and carnelian beads: for order see field notes.
8529	(none)	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal Lapis Anciently broken in half and the end ground down smooth. Scene: the lower parts only of 3 seated figures.
8538	(none)	1928,1009.406	(none)	Shell. Cut to form an open spouted bowl or ladle. Above the opening is a crude carving of a bird's head, the eye inlaid with lapis lazuli.
8539	(none)	(none)	(none)	Beads. Medium-sized lapis. Double conoids and one diamond-shaped. 10 in all.
8562A	(none)	(none)	(none)	Three beads. Big facetted lentoids. (A) Lapis. (B) Gold (plated over core). (C) Lapis. Strung in this order to hold the whetstone U. 8563: see field notes. (with these beads are put 2 carnelian rings found by them and perhaps used as terminals).
8562C	(none)	(none)	(none)	Three beads. Big facetted lentoids. (A) Lapis. (B) Gold (plated over core). (C) Lapis. Strung in this order to hold the whetstone U. 8563: see field notes. (with these beads are put 2 carnelian rings found by them and perhaps used as terminals).
8565	(none)	(none)	(none)	Gold and stone chain. 6 lapis and 4 carnelian beads, the lapis thus [drawing 1:1] and the carnelian thus (flat) [drawing 1:1]. Strung alternately: in the middle of the chain (probably, see field notes) a gold centrepiece [drawing] of cloisonne work inlaid with lapis petals to the rosette and light yellow carnelian between the petals. (2 carnelians missing). The gold pieces had 2 attachment loops of which one is missing.
8569	(none)	(none)	(none)	Beads. Gold and lapis. Small squares with spirals engraved (on the 4 gold specimens) and in relief on the 9 lapis. Probably strung up with small single beads and perhaps with U.8567. (see also PG 313)
8571	(none)	(none)	(none)	Beads. 11 gold double conoids of different sizes and a quantity of similar lapis beads; 1 gold rectangular bead. All found loose in the soil, also, some mixed carnelian beads.
8572	(none)	(none)	(none)	Beads. Large. 3 carnelian and 8 lapis and 1 gold.
8584	(none)	1928,1009.36	(none)	Cylinder seal. Blue lapis. Two wild goats rampant against a tree: another tree behind.
8585	(none)	(none)	B16820	Gold beads etc. 14 flat disks and 19 balls, small and 1 large double conoid. With these a few small carnelian and lapis, amongst the former some diamonds laterally pierced.
8592	(none)	(none)	(none)	Beads Small lapis and carnelian balls Strung two of each alternately
8602	(none)	(none)	(none)	Beads Very small lapis balls
8603	(none)	(none)	(none)	Beads Lapis double conoids etc 1 long gold facetted lentoid 1 carnelian double conoid, large
8613A	(none)	1928,1009.76	(none)	Gold chains etc. [A-B] Two sections of gold chain with crochet links . When found (A) passed through a curled gold earring (C) [drawing] With these, [D] two lapis facetted lentoid beads, 4 carnelian rings, and remains of a large silver-plated bead with horizontal ribbing - the latter wholly decayed.
8614	(none)	(none)	B16829	Beads. 3 Gold squares 33 x 20mm 3 lapis diamonds [drawing] strung together. (v. field notes) and probably joined on to the cylinder seal U.8615.
8615	(none)	(none)	B16828	Cylinder seal. Lapis. 2 registers: above: three seated deities(?) with a worshipper in front of each. Below: door: 3 seated and 3 standing figures. Archaic style.
8619	(none)	1928,1009.188	(none)	Silver pin. With fluted ball head of lapis. Capped with gold.
8620	(none)	1928,1009.83	(none)	Beads. Carnelian double conoids, and a few silver ditto, large. The silver much decayed.
8621	(none)	(none)	(none)	Beads. Small lapis, with a few silver: strung together.