This study focuses on three of the most common gemstones in Ancient Egypt; Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, and Carnelian. The paper aims at displaying the uses of these three stones, sources, religious contexts and symbolism of their colors in Ancient Egypt, which could help tour guides explain in museums and scenes related.
Egypt is the most ancient of sources for emerald. More than 2,000 years ago, emerald deposits i n upper Egypt were supplying gems throughout the Grasco-Roman Empire.
In ancient Egypt, lapis lazuli was a favorite stone for amulets and ornaments such as scarabs. Lapis jewellery has been found at excavations of the Predynastic Egyptian site Naqada (3300–3100 BC).
These ancient Egyptian gemstones came from deposits on a small volcanic island in the Red Sea called Topazios, now known as St. John's Island or Zabargad. Ancient Egyptians called peridot the “gem of the sun,” believing it protected its wearer from terrors of the night.
Lapis Lazuli could be considered the original blue stone with its grand history. Literally meaning 'blue stone', this beautiful gem was the ingredient of blue cosmetics in ancient Egypt. Lapis lazuli was the burial ornament of Egyptians in ancient times.
The 11 Lavish Pieces of Jewelry from Ancient Egypt
What gemstone did Cleopatra wear?
The Egyptians called peridot “the gem of the sun.”Legend says it was Cleopatra's favorite gemstone, and historians now believe that many of the “emeralds” she wore were actually peridot because Egypt and Burma were main providers of this gem during ancient times.
Red jasper is opaque, a dark reddish-brown, and the slightly translucent carnelian is orange-red. Given the stones' splendor, it's not hard to grasp their place of honor in such a society. From there, it's also not a far leap to understanding why large quantities are not often discovered.
The Rosetta Stone, a symbol for different things to different people, is a dark-colored granodiorite stela inscribed with the same text in three scripts – Demotic, hieroglyphic and Greek. In July 1799, the stone was found in the city of Rosetta (modern el Rashid) by French soldiers during Napoleon's invasion of Egypt.
The Ancient Egyptians used lapis lazuli, turquoise, carnelian, emerald and clear quartz in their jewelry. They used some stones for protection and health, and some crystals for cosmetic purposes, like galena and/or malachite ground to a powder as the eye shadow.
The Broad Collar necklace was one of the most common pieces of jewelry that was worn among the royalty and elite of ancient Egypt. Not exclusive in style, the broad collar necklace could be seen with many different types of stones, jewels, and metals.
Significant deposits of Egyptian emeralds are in Zabara, Wadi Nugrus and Umm Kabu areas with similar geological settings, also known as Eastern Desert deposits in Egypt.
With its concentric, eye-like rings of green that mimic the eye of a peacock feather, this stone has captured the imagination of many cultures for ages, and has been described by poets as spring grass swaying in the wind. The first culture to use malachite for adornment was ancient Egypt around 4,000 BC.
Aside from gold, Ancient Egyptian jewelry was often made from precious and semi-precious stones. One of the most treasured gemstones of Ancient Egypt was Lapis Lazuli. The stone was often thought to be of Godly importance and it is widely believed the Cleopatra even used powdered down Lapis Lazuli as an eye adornment.
In ancient Egypt, purple dyes were often reserved for royalty or those of high status, especially the highly valued Tyrian purple made from molluscs. But, by the time the portrait in question was painted, purple had been democratised and was used by all social strata.
Egyptian temples and tombs were richly painted with bright primary colors made largely from ground stones: azurite (blue), gypsum and limestone (white), hematite ochre (red and orange), limonite ochre (yellow and brown), and malachite (green).
A layer of limestone covers most of the surface of modern Egypt. Beneath this lies a bed of sandstone, and this earlier sandstone is the surface rock in Nubia and southern Upper Egypt, as far north as the area between Edfu and Luxor. The oldest ground of modern Egypt comprises outcrops of metamorphic and igneous rocks.
However, it is believed that Cleopatra's collection of jewels was extensive and varied, and included precious gemstones such as diamonds, pearls, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies. She is also known to have owned a variety of gold jewelry, including uniquely beautiful crowns, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and more.
1Ruby. A ruby is a pink to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide). Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphires.
In ancient Egypt, red jasper stone was directly related to fertilization and the goddess Isis. The Egyptian peoples used jasper extensively, especially in the carving of statues and objects. Amulets were carved using these minerals, for example in the shape of scarabs, an insect that symbolized eternal life.
Unlike some crystals, peridot is not friendly – when it comes to crystal combination. Combining it with other crystals can disrupt a spiritual exercise and negatively impacts your mental self. Those who are allergic or sensitive to olivine should NOT wear peridot on their body. Peridot is made of the mineral olivine.
Which Finger Should Peridot Be Worn? Peridot gives the best results in the little finger also referred to as the pinkie finger by some individuals. The mount of mercury is just below the little finger. Many a time this stone is also worn as a substitute for emerald which makes peridot perfect for the ring finger too.
Zodiac signs that should wear Peridot gemstone are Leo, Virgo, Scorpio and Gemini zodiac signs. If you are born in the month of August, then the Peridot stone would be very beneficial for you as peridot is the August birthstone. Peridot is also worn as a substitute for Emerald gemstone.
The amethyst mines were known to be in the rocks from the Eastern and Western Deserts of Egypt. As a mineral, amethyst has natural color layers of different intensity and color zoning within a single amethyst crystal that could vary from pale pinkish violet to a deep purple.
