Known as hemaget, the Egyptians sourced their garnet as early as the pre-dynastic period in the Eastern Desert and Sinai at the same locality they got much of their amethyst. Like amethyst, garnet was at its most popular during the Middle Kingdom, but due to its small size, it was mainly employed for spherical and barrel beads, such as this example.

Garnet was known for its utilization of creative energy, grounding spiritual forces within the body.  It represents primordial fire, the creation of the world out of chaos, purification, and love. It is a stone of strong, intense feelings. 

Condition:  Expected signs of wear that do not detract, intact, and in very good condition overall.  A lovely example.

Dimensions:  Length:  1/2 in (1 cm) and set as a pendant on a 20" tarnish resistant sterling silver chain.

Provenance:  Collection of Llewellyn Phillips, a physician who formed a collection in Egypt during the early 20th century. He held a number of positions while stationed in Egypt including a professor of Medicine at the Egyptian Government School of Medicine, Cairo. Phillips was appointed the Hon. Commander of the British Red Cross Hospital in Giza during the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915. Part of his collection was sold at Christie's in 1992/93.