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)
2683	(none)	1927,1003.201	(none)	Seal cylinder. Carnelian. Time of Assyr influence about BC 700. [drawing]
2714	(none)	1927,1003.205	(none)	Seal cylinder. Rock crystal. Broken. Unusual scene. About BC 2300. [drawing]
6988	(none)	(none)	B16302	Seal. Amethyst. Blue-violet. Flat on one side, convex on the other but not completely rounded, apex top. Hawk with spread wings, legs crossed in middle of breast. Neo-Babylonian. E.
17732	(none)	(none)	(none)	Seal. Chalcedony. Persian. [drawing 1:1]
7066	(none)	(none)	(none)	Seal. Oblong flat one side, convex the other, ends just wide enough fro usual seal hole. Greenish jadeite, on flat side 5 birds. Before 3000BC. B.
17715	32-40-322	(none)	(none)	Seal. Persian type. Chalcedone. Pierced for threading, engraved lines on face [drawing 1:1].
16412A	(none)	1931,1010.154	(none)	Set of 3 weights: (A) Haematite. Long Ovoid. Black. To Be Weighed. Type ? (B) Haematite. Ovoid. Black. To be Weighed. Type I (C) Steatite. Lentoid. Black. Weight=0.896 GRS 6 "Little Sheqels" (Nominal Weight=0.84)
16412B	(none)	(none)	(none)	Set of 3 weights: (A) Haematite. Long Ovoid. Black. To Be Weighed. Type ? (B) Haematite. Ovoid. Black. To be Weighed. Type I (C) Steatite. Lentoid. Black. Weight=0.896 GRS 6 "Little Sheqels" (Nominal Weight=0.84)
676A	(none)	(none)	(none)	Set of beads. (A) Large in very light-colored carnelian? =P252 [drawing] (B) String of mixed beads some paste and glass (most of the last broken) and shell center-pieces, with dotted ornament. =P52 [drawing 1:1]
16367A	(none)	1931,1010.174	(none)	Set of four weights: (A) Black hematite, ovoid, weight 224 grs. Prob. - 3 sheqels (nominal weight 25.248) Type I (B) Black hematite, ovoid, weight 7.68 grs. perhaps-1 sheqel (nonminal weight 8.416); Type I (C) Brown hematite, in section thus [drawing] weight 8.512 grs. - 1 sheqel Type ? (D) Black hematite duck weight=4.352 Grs= 1/2 sheqel (nominal weight 4.208) Type VI
16367B	(none)	1931,1010.174	(none)	Set of four weights: (A) Black hematite, ovoid, weight 224 grs. Prob. - 3 sheqels (nominal weight 25.248) Type I (B) Black hematite, ovoid, weight 7.68 grs. perhaps-1 sheqel (nonminal weight 8.416); Type I (C) Brown hematite, in section thus [drawing] weight 8.512 grs. - 1 sheqel Type ? (D) Black hematite duck weight=4.352 Grs= 1/2 sheqel (nominal weight 4.208) Type VI
16367C	(none)	1931,1010.174	(none)	Set of four weights: (A) Black hematite, ovoid, weight 224 grs. Prob. - 3 sheqels (nominal weight 25.248) Type I (B) Black hematite, ovoid, weight 7.68 grs. perhaps-1 sheqel (nonminal weight 8.416); Type I (C) Brown hematite, in section thus [drawing] weight 8.512 grs. - 1 sheqel Type ? (D) Black hematite duck weight=4.352 Grs= 1/2 sheqel (nominal weight 4.208) Type VI
16367D	(none)	1931,1010.174	(none)	Set of four weights: (A) Black hematite, ovoid, weight 224 grs. Prob. - 3 sheqels (nominal weight 25.248) Type I (B) Black hematite, ovoid, weight 7.68 grs. perhaps-1 sheqel (nonminal weight 8.416); Type I (C) Brown hematite, in section thus [drawing] weight 8.512 grs. - 1 sheqel Type ? (D) Black hematite duck weight=4.352 Grs= 1/2 sheqel (nominal weight 4.208) Type VI
8661	(none)	(none)	(none)	Shell Cut as ladle With bird's head above, the eye inlaid with lapis Decayed and in poor condition
8996	(none)	(none)	(none)	Shell roundel. Convex above with incised 8 point star, the petals inlaid with lapis and red paste, 3 red and 5 blue of which one is missing. [drawing]
8191	(none)	(none)	B17194	Shell. Cut as a ladle: a piece is left across the opening and this is carved into a bird's head, the eye inlaid with lapis. [drawing]
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.
8306B	(none)	(none)	(none)	Silver chain [A]. Fragments of. Made with the same sort of crochet link as the gold chain U.8002, giving a square section: but this is thicker and heavier. In 6 fragments. It was almost certainly linked up (like U.8002) with a few beads [B] found with it - 3 large conoids, 2 lapis, 1 silver, and 3 carnelian rings and 1 sard bugle, strung alternately. These are cataloged with the chain.
12213	(none)	(none)	(none)	Silver Chain. Broken & decayed. Double link giving a square section, & 1 carnelian double conoid bead. Originally a frontlet.
14470A	(none)	(none)	(none)	Silver comb. With 5 prongs each decorated with a lapis lazuli ball bead.
11155	(none)	(none)	(none)	Silver Ostrich Shell. Originally decorated on base and round the rim with incrustation in shell, lapis, and red stone. All ornament gone: the Shell much distorted and broken.
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)
10352	(none)	(none)	(none)	Silver Pin Lapis ball head with silver cap under side Type V
9962	(none)	(none)	B17075	Silver Pin The shaft bent, & pierced Lapis ball head Type VI
8162	(none)	(none)	(none)	Silver pin with fluted ball head of lapis. Capped with gold. There is a hole through the top end of the shaft and affixed against one end of the hole is a small carnelian ring bead. It looks as if a string had been passed through the hole with a head at the end of it to prevent its slipping out; in that case, the pin must have acted as a true toggle. [Type] V.