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
Object | U Number | Museum Number (UPM Date Reg Number) | Museum Number (BM Registration Number) | Museum Number (UPM B-number) | Description (Catalog Card) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8310 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Beads. One carnelian, a few lapis, and a number of very small shell rings. |
![]() | 8339 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Lapis. decorative design. [drawing] |
8343 | (none) | 1928,1009.345 | (none) | Copper pin with ball head of lapis lazuli. Stem broken but complete. [Type] V | |
![]() | 8345B | (none) | 1928,1009.42 | (none) | Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Hero grasping rampant lion by the tail. In front of the lion an antelope and second hero, a second antelope rampant and a second lion rampant. |
![]() | 8354 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Copper pin with plain ball head of lapis lazuli. The stone cracked and in bad condition. Stem broken. [Type] V. |
![]() | 8355 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Copper pin with ball head of lapis(?) capped with silver. The whole in very bad condition, split open in every direction by decay, and broken. [Type] V |
![]() | 8359A | (none) | (none) | (none) | [A] Cylinder seal of lapis lazuli on a [B] silver bangle. The bangle is of flattened silver wire now distorted and broken: the wire passes through the cylinder. Cylinder, 2 registers: above; inscription. 1 human figure, and rampant animals. below; 1 human figure and rampant animals. |
![]() | 8364 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Beads. A small set of mixed carnelian and lapis lazuli, all found together at the neck: see field notes. |
![]() | 8367 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. 2 registers: Above, seated figure with attendant behind, drinking through a tube: then figure making offerings to a seated figure behind where are 2 attendants. Below: gate of shrine, man opening it(?) and man carrying a sheep to it. Then a standing attendant and 2 seated figures facing each other and drinking through tubes. Fine archaic work. |
![]() | 8368 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Figurine of bull. Lapis lazuli. The bull seated, head L, the body in profile, the head turned to the spectator and seen full face: a formally-curled square beard is tied under the bull's chin by a cord passing across its nose. |
![]() | 8374 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Silver pendant. In bad condition. It was suspended on the quadrupal band of silver and lapis beads described on field notes (No. 14). Made of twisted filigree wire wound up into spiral whorls standing in high relief. [drawing] 1:1 (sketch) |
![]() | 8375 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Beads. Large. One carnelian, one ball lapis and 6 diamond-shaped flat lapis beads; all found close together except the ball bead which lay apart. (NB the last had a thread through it so was not a pin-head as suggested in the field notes) |
![]() | 8376A | (none) | (none) | (none) | Beads. Lapis bugles, small, and carnelian rings. These went to complete the triple collar with silver rings attached. See field notes item 8. |
![]() | 8376B | (none) | (none) | (none) | Beads. Large lapis and carnelian. Forming a separate string. See field notes item 8. |
![]() | 8376C | (none) | (none) | (none) | Beads. Silver. Some quadruple tubes from dog collar string, large lentoids which went with the larger lapis lentoids (U.8376B) and smaller beads. |
![]() | 8376D | (none) | (none) | (none) | Beads. Lapis lazuli double conoids, and 2 carnelians. For stringing, see field notes. |
![]() | 8377 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Beads etc. Large silver rings to which are attached spacers pierced by 3 holes: between these were set lapis bugles flanked by carnelian rings: see field notes. Part of the chain preserved as found. |
![]() | 8390 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Copper pin with plain lapis ball head. (broken). [Type] V. |
![]() | 8391 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Beads. Lapis and carnelian. The former mostly double conoids and rings, the carnelian bugles, conoids, faceted bugles and rings. |
![]() | 8400 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Beads. 14 in all, carnelian and lapis. Found by the neck. |
![]() | 8403 | (none) | (none) | (none) | 73 beads. Roughly shaped lapis ball beads and a few carnelian ring beads. |
![]() | 8409 | (none) | (none) | (none) | 11 beads. Lapis double conoids, bugle carnelian and gold beads. |
![]() | 8417 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Inscribed but obliterated. Bearded hero attacking rampant bull and second hero with high horns and bulls feet attacking rampant lion. |
![]() | 8420 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal Lapis lazuli Geometric decoration [drawing] |
![]() | 8421 | (none) | (none) | (none) | 35 beads Mostly minute lapis lazuli ring beads, 2 bugle lapis, 2 bugle carnelian, 2 carnelian ball beads |
Related Terms
Apatite - Aragonite - Calcite Group - Chlorite - Dolomite - Feldspar - Gypsum - Magnesite - Pigment - Serpentine
Child Terms
Amber - Chalcedony - Chrysoberyl - Hematite - Iron Pyrite - Jadeite - Lapis Lazuli - Malachite - Quartz - Turquoise
Share
Email | Edit | Build Search
Parent Terms
Inorganic Remains > Stones and Minerals > Mineral > Semi-precious