Gem Lore

Inca Emerald Traditions: Why the Sacred Green Stone Was Revered

Inca Emerald Traditions: Why the Sacred Green S...

The Green Stone That Moved EmpiresOf all the gemstones prized by the Inca, the emerald held a singular place of reverence. Green, luminous, and rare, the emerald was not simply...

Inca Emerald Traditions: Why the Sacred Green S...

The Green Stone That Moved EmpiresOf all the gemstones prized by the Inca, the emerald held a singular place of reverence. Green, luminous, and rare, the emerald was not simply...

Inca Gemstone Traditions: Gold, Emerald & Turquoise Explained

Inca Gemstone Traditions: Gold, Emerald & Turqu...

The Sacred Language of Stone and MetalFor the Inca Empire — the largest pre-Columbian civilization in the Americas — gemstones and precious metals were never merely decorative. Gold, emerald, and...

Inca Gemstone Traditions: Gold, Emerald & Turqu...

The Sacred Language of Stone and MetalFor the Inca Empire — the largest pre-Columbian civilization in the Americas — gemstones and precious metals were never merely decorative. Gold, emerald, and...

Mayan Pyrite: Mirror Stone & Divination Tool

Mayan Pyrite: Mirror Stone & Divination Tool

Explore Mayan pyrite mirrors — pyrite as the golden mirror stone of solar energy, the technical production of polished pyrite mirrors, pyrite mirrors in Mayan divination ritual, solar worship ceremonies,...

Mayan Pyrite: Mirror Stone & Divination Tool

Explore Mayan pyrite mirrors — pyrite as the golden mirror stone of solar energy, the technical production of polished pyrite mirrors, pyrite mirrors in Mayan divination ritual, solar worship ceremonies,...

Aztec Gemstone Traditions: Turquoise & Jade Empire

Aztec Gemstone Traditions: Turquoise & Jade Empire

Explore Aztec gemstone traditions — turquoise as the divine stone of the gods, jade's association with Tlaloc and water, the turquoise trade from the American Southwest, obsidian and gold as...

Aztec Gemstone Traditions: Turquoise & Jade Empire

Explore Aztec gemstone traditions — turquoise as the divine stone of the gods, jade's association with Tlaloc and water, the turquoise trade from the American Southwest, obsidian and gold as...

Aztec Turquoise Mosaic: Quetzalcoatl Mask Art

Aztec Turquoise Mosaic: Quetzalcoatl Mask Art

Explore Aztec turquoise mosaic art — the famous Quetzalcoatl double-headed serpent mosaic in the British Museum, turquoise mosaic production techniques, the combination of turquoise with shell and obsidian, turquoise mosaics...

Aztec Turquoise Mosaic: Quetzalcoatl Mask Art

Explore Aztec turquoise mosaic art — the famous Quetzalcoatl double-headed serpent mosaic in the British Museum, turquoise mosaic production techniques, the combination of turquoise with shell and obsidian, turquoise mosaics...

Mayan Obsidian: Volcanic Glass in Ritual & Trade

Mayan Obsidian: Volcanic Glass in Ritual & Trade

Explore Mayan obsidian — volcanic glass sources at El Chayal and Ixtepeque, the extensive Mayan obsidian trade network, obsidian in bloodletting ritual practice, polished obsidian mirrors as windows to the...

Mayan Obsidian: Volcanic Glass in Ritual & Trade

Explore Mayan obsidian — volcanic glass sources at El Chayal and Ixtepeque, the extensive Mayan obsidian trade network, obsidian in bloodletting ritual practice, polished obsidian mirrors as windows to the...