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 Clay Seals and Sealings

U Number	Museum Number (UPM Date Reg Number)	Museum Number (BM Registration Number)	Museum Number (UPM B-number)	Description (Catalog Card)
18974	35-1-9, 35-1-9	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Dark green steatite. One seated and three standing figures: two columns of inscription. Inscription: Lugal-ma (C.J.G.)
19075	35-1-7	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Two registers: in each, a row of animals, the rows inverted.
18914	35-1-6	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Two registers: above, two heroes each fighting with two beasts below, seated and standing figures.
18919	35-1-22, 35-1-22	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Green steatite (?) with copper caps. Two standing gods shaking hands: two men killing a kneeling prisoner: two columns of inscription supported by an animal. Good work.
18981	35-1-21	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Green stone. 2 heroes fighting lions.
18922	35-1-16	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Black steatite. A god driving a chariot drawn by a winged gryphon(?); between the wings rises a goddess armed with a bow, in front of it is another god. One column of inscription. Inscription: Ur-gis-me-e (C.J.G.)
18994	35-1-14	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Two hunters fighting a lion.
18457	33-35-178	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Milky crystal. Geometrical (?) designs in 2 registers.
18365	33-35-176	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. 3 standing figures.
18218	33-35-171	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Carnelian. Broken and incomplete. [drawing] Conventional design.
18284	33-35-170	(none)	(none)	Stamp seal. Facetted conical: chalcedony. Persian type. Two standing figures worshipping before an altar: crescent above.
18155	32-40-327	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Pale amethyst. Warrior in chariot shooting with bow and arrow: a fallen enemy beneath the horse's hooves. Poor cutting.
17715	32-40-322	(none)	(none)	Seal. Persian type. Chalcedone. Pierced for threading, engraved lines on face [drawing 1:1].
16117	31-43-66	(none)	(none)	Stamp seal. Mauve chalcedony(?) Concial-suspended by copper wire. Roughly engraved with figure of a man. [drawing]
16656	31-43-62	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal, carnelian. 2 bird-like beasts and star.
16122	31-43-50	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Banquet scene, 2 seated figures drinking from a common cup out of tubes. Behind one of them a standing figure. Poor cutting.
16743	31-43-46	(none)	(none)	Quartz cylinder. Unengraved. Unpierced. cf. U. 16606. [drawing 1:1]
17315	31-43-45	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Hematite. Black. Cut down. Three standing figures, an animal, crescent moon. Two wedge like signs.
16709	31-43-44	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Black hematite. Nude female standing; god in long skirt, right foot tree and poised on a low stool, raises hand in greeting to a standing warrior who is clad in a short tunic.
17251	31-43-43	(none)	(none)	Cylinder Seal [CARD MISSING Typed Transcription from British Museum Card]
16704	31-43-42	(none)	(none)	Fragment. Cylinder seal. hematite. Presentation scene; Standing god and 2 standing figures approaching. Crescent moon and star.
16653	31-43-154	(none)	(none)	Flat amethyst seal, and 5 carnelian beads.
15309	31-17-22	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis. Presentation scene. Poor cutting.
15043	31-17-19	(none)	(none)	Cylinder Seal. Lapis lazuli. Presentation. Star in crescent. Inscription dNin-gal-nam-nin-kho-ul dumu lu-dingir-ra N. son of L. scribe. HC.103.
14041	31-17-17	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. 2 registers: above; bird-headed men sucking drink from a bowl through a tube. Below; spread eagle and a pair of goats.