Gem Lore

Aztec Obsidian: Tezcatlipoca's Smoking Mirror

Aztec Obsidian: Tezcatlipoca's Smoking Mirror

Explore Aztec obsidian and Tezcatlipoca — the Smoking Mirror god of the night sky and supernatural vision, obsidian as the material of omniscient divine power, obsidian in Aztec ritual including...

Aztec Obsidian: Tezcatlipoca's Smoking Mirror

Explore Aztec obsidian and Tezcatlipoca — the Smoking Mirror god of the night sky and supernatural vision, obsidian as the material of omniscient divine power, obsidian in Aztec ritual including...

Mayan Jade Mask: Funerary Art & Sacred Symbolism

Mayan Jade Mask: Funerary Art & Sacred Symbolism

Explore Mayan jade funeral masks — the cosmic significance of jade as the face of eternity, the extraordinary craft of jade mosaic mask production, symbolic elements including obsidian eyes and...

Mayan Jade Mask: Funerary Art & Sacred Symbolism

Explore Mayan jade funeral masks — the cosmic significance of jade as the face of eternity, the extraordinary craft of jade mosaic mask production, symbolic elements including obsidian eyes and...

Mayan Jade Burial Traditions: Palenque & Tikal

Mayan Jade Burial Traditions: Palenque & Tikal

Explore Mayan jade burial traditions — Pakal the Great's extraordinary jade mosaic funeral mask at Palenque, the royal jade burials of Tikal including Stormy Sky's tomb, Calakmul's spectacular jade mosaic...

Mayan Jade Burial Traditions: Palenque & Tikal

Explore Mayan jade burial traditions — Pakal the Great's extraordinary jade mosaic funeral mask at Palenque, the royal jade burials of Tikal including Stormy Sky's tomb, Calakmul's spectacular jade mosaic...

Jade in Mayan Culture: Green Stone of Life & Death

Jade in Mayan Culture: Green Stone of Life & Death

Explore jade in Mayan culture — jade as the green stone of life and water, the Maize God's jade ornaments and agricultural fertility, jade as royal insignia of divine authority,...

Jade in Mayan Culture: Green Stone of Life & Death

Explore jade in Mayan culture — jade as the green stone of life and water, the Maize God's jade ornaments and agricultural fertility, jade as royal insignia of divine authority,...

Ancient Mayan Gemstones: Jade & Sacred Stones

Ancient Mayan Gemstones: Jade & Sacred Stones

Explore ancient Mayan gemstones — jade as the supreme sacred material from the Motagua River valley, obsidian as volcanic glass of supernatural power, pyrite mirrors and divination, spondylus shell and...

Ancient Mayan Gemstones: Jade & Sacred Stones

Explore ancient Mayan gemstones — jade as the supreme sacred material from the Motagua River valley, obsidian as volcanic glass of supernatural power, pyrite mirrors and divination, spondylus shell and...

Roman Gemstone Medicine: Pliny's Healing Stones

Roman Gemstone Medicine: Pliny's Healing Stones

Explore Roman gemstone medicine — Pliny and Dioscorides as primary sources, the diamond as stone of invincible health, jasper as the universal healer, coral and hematite as mineral medicines, and...

Roman Gemstone Medicine: Pliny's Healing Stones

Explore Roman gemstone medicine — Pliny and Dioscorides as primary sources, the diamond as stone of invincible health, jasper as the universal healer, coral and hematite as mineral medicines, and...