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HOME :
Beaded Necklaces :
Amber Necklaces : Amber Bead and Garnet Bead Necklace
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Amber Bead and Garnet Bead Necklace - FJ.3945
Collection: Jewlery
Medium: Amber and Garnet
$2,400.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
Amber, the fossilized resin of extinct trees, is
one of the oldest gems known to man. Amulets
made from it have been found in tombs dating
from the Stone Age. Of rich color, its electrical
properties made it magic to primitive man and
this fascination has continued to the present day.
Widespread trade in amber began over 9,000
years ago, when it traveled from the Baltic region
to the palaces and cities of the Ancient
Mediterranean, such as Knossos and Mycenae. It
was believed in Antiquity-- as now-- that amber
could cure numerous ailments and avert evil or
prevent witchcraft. Ancient myths ascribed its
origins to the rays of the setting sun, cooled in
the ocean; to the tears of rare birds; or to the
urine of the lynx. Homer makes mention of
amber in the Odyssey. In prehistoric times, the
resin oozing from trees sometimes encased
insects and other specimens of natural life. These
inclusions are highly prized today. Amber varies
in color from pale yellow, to rich honey brown, to
deep orange to red. Soothing to the touch as well
as to the eye, it is still one of the most popular
gems after the passage of millennia.
The garnet was highly prized in the Classical
world. Its rich color, the reddish purple
associated with royalty, made it especially sought
after for jewelry. The garnet was also favored in
the jewelry of the
European Dark Ages and Medieval period. The
famous Sutton Hoo Treasure found in England
contains over 4,000 cut and faceted garnets. As
with many gems, the finest varieties come from
India, which was true in Antiquity as well as
today. According to Talmudic legend, the only
source of light on Noah's Ark was a single large
garnet. Therapeutically, garnet is believed to
keep the wearer free from wounds and to
promote good health in general. It is especially
useful for preventing skin diseases and giving a
glowing complexion.
- (FJ.3945)
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