A brief history of powerful gemstone amulets | V&A

Bewitching and beautiful, spiritual and sparkling – colourful stones, crystals and gems have been used throughout human history for devotion and decoration. For centuries, these natural curiosities have been gathered from the landscape and crafted into intimate objects which often have amuletic (protective), or healing properties when worn, carried, or held.

From an ancient Roman amethyst statuette to a charming mythical creature carved from nephrite jade, a bloodstone scorpion ring to a crystal amulet container made to hold crayfish eyes – join Assistant Curator Sophie Morris as she takes us through some of her favourite treasures, revealing the hidden meaning, magical attributes and enduring power of gemstones.

00:00 What are gemstones?
00:24 Rock crystal crayfish eye amulet
02:00 Precious rock crystal reliquary cross
03:27 Historic lapidary book
04:48 Sapphire, hessonite garnet and peridot pendant
07:19 Turquoise-set amulet case
08:48 Nephrite jade mythical creature (qilin)
10:30 Scorpion and serpent-figure bloodstone intaglios
12:26 Ancient amethyst empress statuette

[Earthforpeace]

Items that have survived the ages are a true testament to the quality of craftsmanship the artist provided.

[erroneous]

I’m a lapidary, gemologist, and geologist. This explains why there are so many containers for medicines were carved from precious stones. For instance I’ve seen quite a few small lapis lazuli bottles. Also a few small containers carved from carnelian.

[igrim]

Good work by the media department. Appreciate that items in the thumbnail were in the video. Good form to have the book pages visible and oriented for the viewer. Cuts to clear closeups for details, not rushed. These things should be the norm from museums, but it seems the V&A is setting the bar high. Well done videographer and editor.

[ExtraNope]

The ability to cut these stones so perfectly without modern tech, is just out of hand. Every piece is a masterpiece.

[MikhailTank]

The lady is very well balanced in both the factual and spiritual elements. It’s interesting how they chose to specify Tibet, China. She is specific about the type of garnet, the kind of jade (Nephrite) etc. Very well balanced.

[silvergirl]

As a retired estate jeweler this was wonderful!! I was just enthralled with not only the beauty but the stories behind each piece what a wonderful video more of this please!!❤

[didnti]

Wow love this. Who is this passionate and eloquent lecturer?

[victoriadiesattheend.]

Please, more videos with Dr. Sophie Morris! She is a wonderful speaker with encyclopedic knowledge on her subjects.

[msaditu]

Such a beautiful presentation. I did not want it to end.

[veronicavirgo_]

Wow I could listen to her speak about stones and talismans all day. She is so eloquent, knowledgeable, and passionate 👏🏼

[jyf.]

I could listen to Dr Sophie Morris speak for hours! Please feature her in more videos

[Liisa]

Excellent picks! More videos about jewelry, please. Old, anonymous ones rather than designer items.

[Islandopalcarvingncabochon]

The love inside a carved gemstone is a special gift of intricacy that is a one chance relationship between lapidarist and nature's best offering. I loved this and thankyou.

[KatieCatWalker]

Aside from these being very beautiful, I can't help but think that people have loved rocks and stones since the dawn of man.

[WailanaBeck]

The ancient amethyst empress statuette is absolutely gorgeous 💜

[ruadhscottygirl]

Very elegantly done. Very knowledgeable presentation.

[soniatriana]

I could listen, learn, & enjoy any presentation by this eloquent & knowledgeable curator! What a gorgeous presentation - what amazing talent of the gem & jewelry workers going back over 1800 years!! Just incredible!! Thank you for creating & sharing this video!!

[Aramanth]

*This presentation is beautiful & informative.* 💎
In the Middle Ages, children of noble families were festooned with amulets
to protect them. A red coral to protect the child from evil spirits, coats of arms
of the family's patron saints to watch over the child, & a black jet fist to protect
against the evil eye.

The items presented are just gorgeous! Thank you for posting!

[Textile_Courtesan]

Sophie Morris is a wonderful presenter! I hope to see more videos from her.

[paige-vtfn]

Just looking at the cross at 3:00 gave me a divine sense of peace and reverence. Wow!