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)
2918	(none)	1927,1003.253	(none)	Lapis lazuli bull. Couchant with head turned. Pierced in three places for suspension.
2920	(none)	1927,1003.240	(none)	Eye from figurine. Shell with pupil of lapis lazuli. [drawing 1:1]
2934	(none)	(none)	(none)	String of beads. Small lentoids of carnelian, rock crystal, granite, hematite, red jasper, sard, shell, copper, etc., with shell disc pendant. Together and re-strung arbitrarily.
3082	(none)	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Hematite. 1st Babylonian Dynasty. Two such worshipping figures on either side of the inscription. A-bi i-li-su son of Su-u-ma a-bu-um servant of dNin-sah. [drawing]
3126	(none)	1927,1003.239	(none)	Miniature frog. Crystal, left back leg missing.
3141	(none)	(none)	(none)	Minute. Duck weight. Of carnelian, nicely cut. Type VI.
3142	(none)	(none)	(none)	Rock crystal eye. Conventional cut, unengraved and pierced for suspension. Egyptian style. [drawing 1:1]
3143	(none)	1927,1003.252	(none)	Inlay fragment. Chevron of fine lapis. [drawing 1:1]
3170	(none)	(none)	(none)	Bead necklace. Of glass, carnelian, frit, etc.
3178	(none)	1927,1003.83	(none)	Polished malachite (?) fragment, transfixed with bronze pin, turned into an eye at one end. [drawing 9:10]
3256	(none)	(none)	(none)	Seal cylinder. Carnelian. About BC 700. [drawing]
3262	(none)	(none)	(none)	Necklace. Of carnelian, crystal, agate, one pebble and one amethyst; carnelian very roughly cut. In text: Neo-Babylonian period(5) in cat.
3302	(none)	(none)	(none)	Large bead. Fine quality lapis lazuli. Flat. Sketch 1:1. [drawing 1:1]
3346	(none)	(none)	(none)	Rock crystal ring. Plain broad band, semi-transparent. Text: Neo-Babylonian period (14) in Cat.
3358	(none)	(none)	(none)	Small mace head. Hematite: apple-shaped with slight excrescence at one end of hole. [drawing 1:1]
3362	(none)	(none)	(none)	Bead necklace. Mixed up gold, agate and carnelian.
6008	(none)	(none)	(none)	Duck weight. Black hematite.
6064	(none)	(none)	(none)	Small duck weight. Black hematite. Type VI. [drawing 1:1]
6068	(none)	(none)	(none)	Frog amulet. Lapis lazuli. [drawing]
6103	(none)	1927,0527.52	(none)	Weight. Black hematite. Wedge shaped. E. Fragmentary. Type V.
6105	(none)	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Black steatite. Minor god introducing votary carrying gazelle as gift to major god who holds a wand in his left hand. Inscription: dNin-suh sukkal-zid-anna gispa-azag su-du. To Nin-Suh. the pure messenger of heaven carrying the bright scepter. B
6146	(none)	(none)	(none)	Weight. Black hematite. Type?
6151	(none)	1927,0527.104	(none)	Copper pin. Bead head of lapis lazuli. E. [drawing]
6178A	(none)	(none)	(none)	[A-F] 6 hematite weights. Black. Types II, III and I or VIII ? (D+E)
6178B	(none)	1927,0527.49	(none)	[A-F] 6 hematite weights. Black. Types II, III and I or VIII ? (D+E)