";s:4:"text";s:2531:" Lapis was one of the most sought after and prized stones of ancient times. Rubies did not come into use until the Roman Empire around 300 BC. The Bible makes numerous references to jewels and precious stones.
In these cases it is most likely that some other red stone is the true identification (i.e.
A string of expertly carved carnelian beads was found in Egypt dating back to 3100 BC. See Lapis lazuli and Jacinth.The word “garnet” comes from the Latin “granatum” (the pomegranate) having to do with the red color of the stone. This gives significance to Jesus’ story about the “pearl of great price.” For many centuries the pearl was known as the “Margarite” from the Greek word for pearl, margarites, which is the name of the oyster that produces the pearl found in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea, margaritafera vulgaris. Even Julius Caesar, the Roman general, became an avid collector of engraved sardonyx. In fact, one of the characteristics of jasper is that it is able to take a high polish and was used in ancient times as mantles, pillars, vases, and other interior decorations. See Aquamarine and EmeraldJacinth is a derivation of the word “hyacinth” which comes from the Greek huakinthos. They are generally not as large as some of the other gemstones. It was also used extensively for inlaying. It is one of the few stones in which experts agree as to the correctness of the name. and chrysoberyl, a beryllium aluminum oxide of greenish to yellowish green color.
The Greek name for the stone, amethustos (from which we get “amethyst”), literally means “not drunken” and it was believed that the gem guarded one against intoxication. Amber is one of the oldest gemstones, having been found in archaeological digs of tombs dating to the Stone Age.