#4495
$30.95
Hand faceted Roman carnelian gemstone measures approximately 11mm in diameter, 17mm in length. Attributed to first century A.D. Strung onto 24 inch contemporary silver tone necklace.
This is a beautiful necklace composed of a genuine carnelian gemstone. This gemstone was hand-faceted by a Roman artisan at about the time Christ walked on this planet. Such hand-carved gemstones were all the rage in the Roman Empire of the first century A.D. In fact, carnelian enjoys the distinction of being one of the "oldest" gemstones. Archaeological evidence suggests that carnelian has been widely appreciated for its beauty for at least 10,000 years in the Mediterranean region. Certainly we know that from about 3,000 B.C. through present times, carnelian gemstones have been fashioned into jewelry by a wide spectrum of Mediterranean cultures. Evidence indicates that the Phoenicians traded extensively in carnelian gemstones, and the Romans quickly acquired the taste for this gorgeous gemstone.
The ordinary Roman carnelian gemstone is a faceted sphere which looks somewhat like a baroque Christmas tree ornament. This gemstone was carved and polished into a hexagonal tube with tapered ends. It is quite a sophisticated shape giving the era - almost 2,000 years ago. The gemstone measures about seven millimeters in length, and is eleven millimeters at its thickest point. The gemstone weighs about fifteen carats. As you can see, in a wonderful state of preservation.
If you like, you may "upgrade" to a chain in the length of your choice between 16 and 24 inches electroplated in .030 inches of genuine 18kt gold or sterling silver for a nominal $2.00 additional charge. We also have available a selection of sterling silver and 14kt solid gold chains at prices starting as low as $3.00. You may also have your choice of a wide variety of other (free) chains with this item. This gemstone has been mounted onto a 24 inch silver tone chain for your enjoyment, so that the gemstone may be immediately worn or presented as a gift. And what a gift! Though certainly it seems likely that a diamond of similar size would probably attract more attention, this little beauty will certainly catch a lot of attention. Imagine the amazement when it is discovered that the gemstone was hand-faceted twenty centuries ago by a Roman artisan!
This is an exquisite artifact, and sure to please! It is a devastating necklace, and may be worn with panache and elegance. It is a truly stunning and authentic artifact, and makes a truly distinctive statement when worn. We guarantee its authenticity, and should upon receipt of this item you find it not to be as described, or to disappoint you in any respect whatever, we will refund your entire acquisition cost, including postage!
"Carnelian" gets its name from the Latin "cornum" (cornel berry or carnelian cherry). Aside from pearls, which were "discovered" as gemstones by prehistoric man, carnelian, turquoise, and lapis lazuli are the oldest gemstones utilized in the manufacture of jewelry. Carnelian is translucent form of the silica mineral chalcedony, which is a variety of quartz. Carnelian ranges in color from yellow to a deep red, the color due to the presence of iron oxide.
Some of the most ancient examples of jewelry included carnelian. Queen Pu-abi's tomb at Ur in Sumeria dated from the 3rd millennium B.C. In the crypt the upper part of the queen's body was covered with a robe made of gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, agate, and chalcedony beads. In Egyptian jewelry the use of gold was predominant, and it was generally complemented by the use of three colors of carnelian, as well as turquoise, and lapis lazuli.
The blood red varieties of carnelian gained great popularity in the ancient world, and were widely used to produce engraved gemstones. Intaglio-incised carving was probably first used to produce seals. The art form is believed to have originated in southern Mesopotamia, and was highly developed by the 4th millennium B.C.
Many of the intaglio carnelian rings and signets produced by ancient Roman and Greek craftsmen and still in existence today, have retained their high polish better than many harder stones. Aside from being quite beautiful, carnelian seals and signets had the practical advantage of not sticking to wax.
The ancient Mediterranean cultures recommended carnelian gemstones for those of weak voice or timid on speech. Carnelian was regarded as strong protection from the evil eye. It was also believed that carnelian helped stop nose bleeds, and prevented blood from going to the head.
Throughout the history of eastern cultures, gemstones were believed capable of curing illness to providing protection. Found in Egypt dated 1500 B. C., the "Papyrus Ebers" offered one of most complete therapeutic manuscripts containing prescriptions using gemstones and minerals. In the eastern civilizations of China, India, and Tibet, gemstones were not only valued for their medicinal and protective properties, but also for educational and spiritual enhancement.
In these as well as other ancient cultures, carnelian was once thought to provide protection from evil influences, and to aid in combating depression. It was also thought to give courage to those who wore the gemstone, and also to provide a positive influence on the reproductive system.
Today, Carnelian is worn for good luck in the Near East, and is much in demand by job-seekers. It is considered a motivational stone that can give to the wearer the power to turn your dreams into reality. It is regarded as a powerful catalyst for focusing, realization and self-actualization. Natural Carnelian comes from Brazil, Uruguay, India, and California.
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ROMAN ARTIFACTS
Greece, Athens, Troy, Imperial Rome, Ancient Egypt, Babylonia. What incredible civilizations lie thousands of years in our past. What precious artifacts of these past civilizations can you and I afford to collect? Very little, if any, as most surviving artifacts of these civilizations are priceless museum artifacts.
Coins, for instance, came into being during the seventh century B.C. in Lydia and Ionia, and were made from a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver. Each coin blank was heated and struck with a hammer between two engraved dies. Unlike modern coins, they were not uniformly round. Each coin was wonderfully unique. Coinage quickly spread to the island and city states of Western Greece. Alexander the Great (336-323 B.C.) then spread the concept of coinage throughout the lands he conquered.
Ancient coins, rings, bracelets, pottery, glassware, and other such timeless treasure allow the collector an affordable glimpse of the glories of past civilizations and their artforms. Follow Ancient Greek's legendary Alexander the Great's conquests across Asia. Gaze upon the faces of Ceasar, Cleopatra, Marc Antony, Julius Caesar, and Augustus at the height of the glory of the Roman empire.
Witness the expansion of Rome's empire throughout the known world through the powerful images of its emperors and the commemoration of their accomplishments. View the rise of Christianity and the intrigue of the Byzantine empire. View portraits of Christ from fifteen centuries ago! See all of this as represented on these exquisite miniatures of ancient art, the coin, and touch, feel, own, and even wear other such artifacts.
Ancient coins, bracelets, rings, pendants, pottery, and glassware are archaeological treasures from the past. They were buried for safekeeping because of their value and have been slowly uncovered throughout modern history. Oftentimes soldiers far from home, gathered beside their campfires the night before battle, remembered wistfully home and family. One by one, they would leave the fire and steal into the darkness long enough to bury their coins, jewelry, and other personal possessions, even booty, hoping and believing that they would live long enough to recover them, and to return to their family.
Perhaps this was one of those timeless treasures! If it is, then your soldier never returned to reclaim his treasure, and his coins, jewelry, and other possessions were left untouched for millenea. One can only imagine the soldier's fate, his family's grief. These treasures remained buried as Rome fell...as the thousand years of the "dark ages" of European history marched by...while King Arthur and "Camelot" lived and died...as the Vikings savaged the North Atlantic...as Columbus "discovered" North America...while Shakespeare, Mozart, Beethoven, Van Gogh, Renoir created their masterpeices...as Newton and Galileo revolutionzed Considering the tremendous age of these artifacts, it is incredible that they can still be acquired at ridiculously inexpensive prices. Such timeless treasure reflect the artistic, political, religious, and economic themes of their times. The acquisition of ancient coins and other artifacts is a unique opportunity to collect art which has been appreciated throughout the centuries.
The Roman civilization, in relative terms the greatest military power in the history of the world, was founded as a city on seven hills above the Tiber River in 753 BC. Rome grew in strength, defeating invasions of Celts and Etruscans in the decade of 390 BC. Rome emerged the dominant power of the Italian Peninsula as a result of the Latin War in 340 BC. The Romans conquered Sicily in 241 BC; defeated General Hannibal in 201 BC; siezed Carthage in 146 BC; and shortly thereafter became the dominant power in the Hellenistic World by conquering Syria and Macedonia.
Roman power climaxed in the first century AD. Rome conquered much of Britain in 43 AD and Jerusalem in 70 AD. In the first century AD and for a brief interlude thereafter, a time of peace and consolidation reigned. Civilian emperors were the rule, and the culture flourished with a great deal of liberty enjoyed by the average Roman Citizen. It was the era of "Pax Romana". The Colosseum and Pantheon were built in Rome, as well as many buildings and statues throughout North Africa.
By the third century AD, Rome was in disorder. Between 235 and 284 AD, Germans, Goths, and Persians all attacked. Many military figures became Emperor, and were quickly deposed by other military figures. In 312 AD, Constantine divided the Roman Empire into East and West, establishing Constantinople as the capital city of the Eastern Roman Empire. In 363 AD the Persians captured Mesopotamia. Goths ravaged Rome, the capital of the Western Roman Empire, in 410 AD. Vandals infiltrated Gaul and Spain. Finally in 476, the last Roman Emperor Romulus Augustus was deposed, and the (Western) Roman Empire as we know it died. However the Eastern Roman Empire evolved into The Byzantine Empire, and survived until 1453 AD.
Coins of the Roman Empire most frequently depicted the Emperor on the front of the coins, and were issued in gold, silver, and bronze. The imperial family were also frequently depicted on the coinage, and, in some cases, coins depicted the progression of an emperor from boyhood through maturity. The reverse side of often served as an important means of political propaganda, frequently extolling the virtues of the emperor or commemorating his victories.
Many public works and architectural achievements such as the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus were also depicted. Important political events, such as the assassination of Julius Caesar or alliances between cities, were recorded on coinage. Many usurpers to the throne, otherwise unrecorded in history, are known only through their coins. Interestingly, a visually stunning portrayal of the decline of the Roman Empire is reflected in her coinage. The early Roman bronze coins were the size of a half-dollar. Within 100-150 years those had shrunk to the size of a nickel. And within another 100-150 years, to perhaps half the size of a dime.
Mankind's most wondrous treasures! Cultural and religious relics reflecting the glorious ascents and inglorious collapses of mankind's greatest empires. Artifacts indicative of the wealth of civilizations which rose to dominant prominence, and fell into decay and obscurity. From across all six inhabited continents. From across the seven millennia of diverse societies and cultures recorded in writing. The most beautiful affordable treasures of the world's greatest civilizations, present, past, ancient. Share in the glory and grandeur of mankind's history, and history's treasure, the world's "timeless treasure".
Timeless Treasure unconditionally warrants the authenticity of each artifact to be as described. And Timeless Treasure unconditionally guarantees your satisfaction. Should you upon receipt of your "timeless treasure" be anything less than enthusiastic, for any reason whatever; or should at any time whenever the authenticity of your "timeless treasure" ever be questionable, Timeless Treasure will refund your entire purchase price, including shipping. Gift givers!!! Why give an ordinary, boring, "they-probably-already-have-one" gift???
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