If you are interested in ancient magic gems, their ancient interpretations and assigned powers, this article and the referenced ancient book De Gemmis (About Gems) by Epiphanius is for you.
In Exodus 28, Priestly garments are described, and 28:15-21 details a breastpiece made of 12 gemstones mounted in gold:
15 “Fashion a breastpiece for making decisions—the work of skilled hands. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. 16 It is to be square—a span[a] long and a span wide—and folded double. 17 Then mount four rows of precious stones on it. The first row shall be carnelian, chrysolite and beryl; 18 the second row shall be turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; 19 the third row shall be jacinth, agate and amethyst; 20 the fourth row shall be topaz, onyx and jasper.[b] Mount them in gold filigree settings. 21 There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.
Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2028&version=NIV
These are potentially the same 12 gemstones mentioned in the final chapter of the New Testament, in Revelation 21:19-21 (note that modern interpretations of the ancient names of gemstones can differ, for example “σάπφειρος” (sappheiros) is translated as “lapis lazuli” as well as “sapphire”, and even ancient sources can differ):
15 The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. 16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia[c] in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17 The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits[d] thick.[e] 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.[f] 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.
Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2021&version=NIV
Years ago I spent over a year of my life working on this final chapter of John’s Revelation, the New Jerusalem, the number 12, and the 12 gemstones. I came across a number of modern academic papers concerning the interpretation of the 12 gems, but somehow never heard of Epiphanius’ Book “De Gemmis”. That changed by coincidence today when I was looking for ancient sources of scarabs with rays. A “scarab with rays” is mentioned in the Mithras Liturgy (I am currently working on) but I am not aware of any ancient depiction of such a scarab contemporary to the magical papyri or older. There is a second mention within the magical papyri, but no ancient attestations from the archaeological record.
Looking up “scarab with rays” on google, the first results included a pdf of a PhD by Katherine Harrison from 2015: Byzantine Carved Gemstones: Their Typology, Dating, Materiality, and Function. Page 345 indeed mentions “scarab with rays”, and that is in context of the lapidary by Damigeron.
While reading through the PhD (it is incredibly interesting! I included the link at the end) I came across De Gemmis by Epiphanius. And then read that Epiphanius describes and explains the 12 gemstones of the breastplate! And guess what: A translation of his work is actually available online for free on archive.org!!! You need an account (it’s free) in order to being able to borrow it online (also free of any charge and there are no ads) and it’s absolutely worth it. The description of the gemstones starts on page 123 which I have linked for you below. It’s absolutely worth reading (only the even numbers are displayed in the URLs):
Epiphanius, De Gemmis, https://archive.org/details/epiphaniusdegemm0000epip/page/122/mode/2up
Enjoy reading and have a wonderful sunday!
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