Gems+and+Stones

The Gems and Stones of Ancient Egypt

Carnelian

Jasper

Glass

Amazonite

Quartz

Perdiot

Hematite

Jade

Serpentine

Amethyst

Feldspar

Onyx

Agate

Amber

Beryl

Garnet

Olivine

Emerald

Faience

Turquoise

Chrysoprase

Coral

Lapis Lazuli

The ancient Egyptians, as far back as prehistory, had a big appetite for [|various materials], and particularly limestone, which was used in huge quantities. However,, alabaster, diorite, marble, serpentine, purple porphyry, black slate from Wadi Rahanu, basalt and dolomite.

Of course, these prehistoric operations were relatively small in comparison with the massive royal expeditions that were sent out to the [|Sinai] and to [|Nubia] during the first two dynasties, and downright tiny compared to later expeditions that might include almost twenty thousand men. Some of the notable stone quarries during the Pharaonic Period include [|Gebel es-Silsila] for sandstone, Tura and Ma'sara for fine white limestone, Qua el-Kebir for very hard limestone, Gebel el-Asr for Diorite, Hatnub and Wadi el-Garawi (near Helwan) for Egyptian alabaster (calcite), Gebel Qatrani for basalt, various types of granite from [|Wadi Hammamat], and several quarries around [|Aswan] for pink granite. In fact, there were very extensive quarry operations in and around [|Aswan], which became even more notable in later times. During the Roman period, the quarries there continued unabated, and columns carved from Aswan granite are found in quantity around the shores of the Mediterranean. It is, in fact, on of the "big three" decorative rocks of the Roman world, on a par with granito violetto from the Troad and Cipoillino from Greece.

slate from [|Wadi Hammamat] and black slate from Wadi Rahanu.

Of course, the Egyptians also mined different gemstones, such as amethyst at Wadi el-Hudi and Gebel el-Asr, and turquoise at Wadi Mughara and [|Serabit el-Khadim].

Other mining and or quarry operations included, for Quartz, Gebel el-Asr, Gebel Dukhan and Gebel Fatira (the latter two of which became [|Mons Porphyrites] and Mons Claudianus in latter times, Gebel el-Asr for gneiss, alum from the Dakhla and Kharga Oasis in the Western desert,