Seals 

Caption

Import restricted since 1990, section II.B.2 of 2008 designated list.

Size: 2-8 cm high; 1-3 cm in diameter

Date: Chalcolithic (c. 5500-3000 BC) - Sasanian (AD 224-636)

Stones for seals vary over time, ranging from soft stones such as marbles and serpentines, to harder ones such as hematite and chalcedony. Semi-precious stones like lapis lazuli, agate, and jasper are also popular. In the later periods (Seleucid through Sasanian), gemstones are popular, including pearl, turquoise, garnet, carnelian, agate, quartz, onyx, sardonyx, heliotrope, jasper, rock crystal, amethyst, hematite, goethite, lapis lazuli, and also glass and metal.