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)
907A (none) (none) B15267 Beads, (A) string of made up from odd beads collected in the course of the dig. 48 carnelian and agate (B) 23 mixed large stone beads.
1054 (none) (none) B15276 Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Very small.
1146 (none) (none) (none) Lapis lazuli seal. Human figurre incised. [drawing]
1226 (none) (none) (none) Small button stamp-seal of lapis lazuli with uncertain device. [drawing]
1410 (none) (none) (none) Cylinder seal. Hematite. Introduction to a god seated facing right. Inscription in 2 lines obliterated.
1487 (none) (none) (none) Cylinder seal. Crystal. Four-winged deity carrying a sickle and facing him a winged bull erect; a cross between their feet. In text: see U.1359 etc.
1507 (none) (none) B15731 Stone weight. Mottled black stone. Like U.1506 (more elongated). Type II. P. [Philadelphia]
1639 (none) (none) (none) String of beads. (40) Restrung from loose beads. Carnelian rings and lentoids or bugles of carnelian, agate, onyx, etc.
1640 (none) (none) (none) String of beads. (36) Ball beads of carnelian and rock crystal with cat's eye center.
1641 (none) (none) (none) String of beads. (39) Mixed shapes in carnelian, rock crystal, lapis lazuli, etc., with central bead of lapis wound round with gold wire.
1642 (none) (none) (none) Beads (10) Carnelian, agate, etc., found together.
1643 (none) (none) (none) Beads. Very small gold ball beads, some plain, some fluted; found all together, with a few small lapis and carnelian beads. Sixty strung together, others loose. (purchased)
1661 (none) (none) (none) Beads. Mixed set, carnelian, shell, agate, etc., and one large gold bead. Brought in together.
2550 (none) (none) (none) Fragment of inlay. Lapis-Lazuli, pierced for wiring and engraved to represent flower petal (?) [drawing 1:1]
2814 (none) (none) (none) Broken Cylinder Seal. Carnelian. Assyrian influence about BC 700. Tree of life and genius. [drawing]
2832 (none) (none) (none) Crystal head. Head of Puzu (?) with grotesque features engraved. Pierced for suspension. [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]
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]
3170 (none) (none) (none) Bead necklace. Of glass, carnelian, frit, etc.
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.

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Inorganic Remains > Stones and Minerals > Mineral > Semi-precious