Case of the Missing Stone

As we all know, use of precious and/or semi-precious stones dates back to ancient times.

Archaeological digs (see below) have unearthed jewelry and/or artwork made of precious metals set with gems that date back thousands of years. They were:

• highly prized for personal adornment;
• given as gifts to royalty;
• used as a form of currency in exchange for goods or merchandise; and
• also used for religious and political purposes.

Figuratively speaking, precious stones are often expressed by means of a metaphor to convey beauty, durability, excellence, and value.

Image Credit: Four Precious Stones: (Clockwise) Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond | Merriam-Webster Visual Dictionary Online

• On her first dig, at the Hellenistic port of Tel Dor, Megan Webb, a 28-year-old potter from Philadelphia, found a tiny gemstone etched with the portrait of Alexander the Great. Historians and archaeologists speculate that it might have been mounted on a signet ring.
  - Gem of a Find - Archaeology Magazine Archive

In the biblical Book of Exodus, twelve (12) precious stones comprise the breastplate of Aaron. Aaron was the elder brother of Moses and the first high priest of the Hebrew nation. As a priest he wore special clothing when serving at the altar; and part of that clothing was a breastplate.

The breastplate of judgment, as it was called, was made with 12 stones: agate, amethyst, beryl, carbuncle, diamond, emerald, jasper, ligure, onyx, sardius, sapphire, and topaz. The precious stones are listed alphabetically, however, each stone was placed in a certain position and taken together as a whole on the entire breastplate, the stones were referred to as "Urim and Thummin" (light and perfection).

The Indiana Jones films have everyone on a quest to find the Ark of the Covenant. But it seems the breastplate of a high priest would be a spectacularly marvelous find!

EXODUS 28
17 And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle [ emerald ]: this shall be the first row.
18 And the second row shall be an emerald [ turquoise ], a sapphire, and a diamond.
19 And the third row a ligure [ jacinth ], an agate, and an amethyst.
20 And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.

[Note: In some other reliable translations (or versions), the carbuncle is translated emerald; emerald is translated turquoise, and ligure is translated jacinth.]

In the Book of Revelation (New Testament scriptures), the foundations of the wall of the heavenly Jerusalem, i.e. "the city", are also garnished with twelve (12) stones.

Listed alphabetically, these stones are: amethyst, beryl, chalcedony, chrysolyte, chrysoprasus, emerald, jacinth, jasper, sapphire, sardius, sardonyx, and topaz.

REVELATION 21
19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

Seven (7) stones [ or eight (8) stones - depending on which translation of the Bible was used ] are included on both lists.

Since the King James Version of the Bible is thee correct translation (because I grew up reading it), my cursory review of Exodus versus Revelation indicates that there are seven (7) stones which garnish both the breastplate of judgment and the foundations of the wall of the heavenly city.

By contrast, where the breastplate has carbuncle, diamond, ligure, agate and onyx - the wall has chalcedony, sardonyx, chrysolyte, chrysoprasus, and jacinth.

So altogether there are seventeen (17) different stones.<

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The research to prepare and publish this article was eye-opening, educational, captivating, intriguing, and in my mind, it's the beginning of a great mystery and suspense novel for an aspiring author.

Magical Gemstones and Mystical Crystals - Many believe gemstones and crystals such as amethyst and citrine, have a healing power.  Some can be used to treat mental health and restore clear thinking while others are believed to be able to stimulate psychic powers and repel lightning.  Psychic powers are just extra baggage.  It's difficult enough to take control of your own thoughts.  But being to repel lightning?  Now that would sure be handy!

Precious and Semi-Precious Stones: A Primer - The Bible is a Holy Book for many people, but it is also a great literary and reference work, loaded with wonderful imagery and information such as the names of precious stones like beryl, carbuncle, jacinth, ligure and more. 

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