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
Object | U Number | Museum Number (UPM Date Reg Number) | Museum Number (BM Registration Number) | Museum Number (UPM B-number) | Description (Catalog Card) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
11899 | 30-12-21 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder Seal. Lapis. Geometrical design. | |
11492 | 30-12-25 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Green stone. Scene: 3 men & 2 lions fighting: one of the men has 4 bulls legs. | |
11483 | 30-12-27 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Green stone. Scene: 2 men fighting 2 animals. | |
11961 | 30-12-28 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder Seal. Green stone. 2 Heroes fighting a lion & a bull. | |
11418 | 30-12-29 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Green Jasper. Two men fighting 2 lions, the latter heraldically crossed, and an inscription in 2 lines. Inscription: UrdGIS-BIL-ga-mes dub-sar sumu Urd KA-DI = Ur-Gilgames scribe, son of Ur-KA-DI. HC.1928/9-2. | |
![]() | 12380Y | 30-12-3 | (none) | (none) | Group: [A] Gold hair ribbon. [B]Wreath of gold medallions with lapis canters on a string of lapis and carnelian beads [C] Wreath of triple gold willow leaves on carnelian and lapis beads. [D] Wreath of gold beech leaves on carnelian and lapis beads. [E.1-.2] Two large gold lunate earrings. [F.1-.2] Two gold wire spiral coil hair rings. [G-I] 3 gold flowers on silver stems. [J] Silver comb with 3 inlaid flowers. [K] Necklace of gold and lapis triangles. [L] Necklace of gold and lapis tubular beads and carnelian rings (for order see field notes). [M] Necklace of large fluted ball beads gold and lapis and carnelian rings: (for order see field notes). [N] Necklace of Carnelian and gold double conoids and carnelian rings. [O] Necklace of carnelian rings, gold balls and lapis rounds. [P]Bracelet of large lapis and gold, lapis and carnelian rings. [Q-V] Six gold finger-rings, all of cable pattern between plain rims of different sizes. [W] Bracelet of 4 lapis and 4 gold. Diamond beads and carnelian rings. [X] Gold pin with lapis ball head [Type] V. [Y] Lapis cylinder seal. [Z] Silver pin with lapis head [Type] VI B. |
11507 | 30-12-30 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Of green marble (?) Unfinished. The hole is only partly bored. One standing figure has been sketched but not finished, of a second only the trunk is suggested. | |
11590 | 30-12-34 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder Seal. Lapis. Inscription: Lugal-sa(g)-su(d) dumu Ka-ma. | |
12705D | 30-12-348 | (none) | (none) | Group: [A] (1) Beads. Small lapis tubes carnelian rings and bugles. [B] (2) Copper reticule containing manicure tools. [C] (3) Copper dagger with ivory and silver handle. Type II B. Tip missing. [D] (4) Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli adhering to blade of 3, not photographed. Men and animals poor cutting. [E] (5) Spindles copper with lapis whorl. | |
11598A | 30-12-35 | (none) | (none) | Group. [A](1) Cylinder Seal, lapis, man, lion & gazelle]. [B](2) Copper Axe Type XVII. [C](3) A few beads of lapis and copper. | |
12471 | 30-12-38 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Lapis with gold caps. Presentation scene with seated god and 2 standing figures. | |
12674 | 30-12-4 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Strung in their silver wire ring. Bearded bulls, lions and antelopes all rampant. | |
12017 | 30-12-43 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder Seal. Green stone. | |
11828 | 30-12-5 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder Seal. Lapis. 2 registers: above, banquet; below, 2 gazelles. (rough & early work). | |
![]() | 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. |
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. | |
15309 | 31-17-22 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Lapis. Presentation scene. Poor cutting. | |
16653 | 31-43-154 | (none) | (none) | Flat amethyst seal, and 5 carnelian beads. | |
16704 | 31-43-42 | (none) | (none) | Fragment. Cylinder seal. hematite. Presentation scene; Standing god and 2 standing figures approaching. Crescent moon and star. | |
17251 | 31-43-43 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder Seal [CARD MISSING Typed Transcription from British Museum Card] | |
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. | |
17315 | 31-43-45 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Hematite. Black. Cut down. Three standing figures, an animal, crescent moon. Two wedge like signs. | |
16743 | 31-43-46 | (none) | (none) | Quartz cylinder. Unengraved. Unpierced. cf. U. 16606. [drawing 1:1] | |
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. | |
16656 | 31-43-62 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal, carnelian. 2 bird-like beasts and star. |
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