Onyx is a semi-precious variety of chalcedony quartz, striped in black and white. Among its varieties is Carnelian onyx, which has white and red stripes, and sardony, which has white and brown stripes....

Guardian lion statues traditionally stood in front of Chinese imperial palaces, imperial tombs, administrative buildings, temples, residences of officials and wealthy classes since the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). It was believed...

Ancient enamel art on metal surfaces. This word derives from the French cloison which means division, compartment. Byzantine production was characterized by the technique of cloisonné on gold, namely in religious implements and jewellery. From Byzantium...

Charoite is a rare mineral, recently discovered. It is found only, as far as is known, along the Chary River in Aldana, Russia. Charoite is a complex silicate containing potassium, sodium, calcium, barium, strontium,...