Natural Gems Belgium Editorial Team

In the ancient Andes, one of the most spiritually significant materials was neither gold nor a precious gemstone. It was a brilliantly coloured marine shell known as Spondylus, or mullu. Transported from the warm Pacific waters near Ecuador into the mountains of Peru, these remarkable shells became associated with water, agricultural fertility, sacred offerings and political authority. Archaeological discoveries reveal how the Chimú and Inca transformed Spondylus into elaborate jewellery, miniature figures and ceremonial objects. Explore the extraordinary history of a natural material whose cultural value could exceed that of gold.

Approximately 8,000 years ago, inhabitants of Çatalhöyük in central Anatolia transformed volcanic glass into remarkably polished mirrors. These rare archaeological objects reveal sophisticated prehistoric craftsmanship, long-distance material exchange and intriguing questions about how early communities understood reflection. Were they practical objects, prestigious possessions or instruments associated with ritual life? Discover what archaeological evidence establishes, what remains uncertain and why the history of obsidian mirrors is far more compelling than modern claims about crystal energy.

Ancient Egyptian jewellery reveals an extraordinary understanding of coloured stones. Discover how turquoise was mined in Sinai, amethyst was extracted from the Eastern Desert, and imported lapis lazuli reached the Nile Valley. Explore the mineralogy, craftsmanship and cultural meaning behind some of history's most remarkable gemstone artefacts.

In the historic Kingdom of Benin, coral was far more than a beautiful material imported from distant seas. Its brilliant red beads became powerful symbols of royal authority, wealth and spiritual relationships with Olokun, the deity associated with the sea. Worn in elaborate crowns, collars and ceremonial regalia, coral helped distinguish the Oba from his subjects while participating in rituals that renewed royal authority. Discover how the Edo people transformed an organic marine material into one of West Africa's most remarkable expressions of sacred kingship—and why its traditional meaning cannot be reduced to modern crystal-healing claims.