Carnelian And The Murder In Mesopotamia
Birthstone: Aries, Cancer, Leo, & Virgo
Agatha Christie saw mystery everywhere—including in the people she met and the places she visited. Being married to a famous archeologist sure added more suspense to her work. For example, her mystery called “Murder in Mesopotamia”, features a character based on a real person that she met at Ur of the Chaldees, as it was called in biblical times.
In 1922, the University of Pennsylvania Museum and the British Museum chose Ur for a joint excavation. Agatha’s husband Max Mallowan and Father Leon Ligroin, among others, assisted C. Leonard Woolley. Woolley led this expedition, which later made him famous while greatly enhanced the reputations of both museums. They discovered the Royal Tombs, which housed a wealth of objects made of gold, lapis lazuli, Carnelian, and other semi-precious stones. Woolley's wife and the Carnelian stones laid the foundation for the "Murder in Mesopotamia".
A stabilizing stone, Carnelian restores vitality and motivation, and stimulates creativity. It gives courage, promotes positive life choices, dispels apathy, and motivates for success. Carnelian is useful for overcoming abuse of any kind. It helps in trusting yourself and your perceptions. It overcomes negative conditioning and encourages steadfastness. Carnelian improves analytic abilities and clarifies perception. It is also believed to boost fertility and stimulate sexuality while is often used to help treat lower back problems, rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia and depression.
Carnelian ranges in color from yellow-orange to rich, near reddish orange, to orangey brown, and varies from semi-opaque to highly translucent. Iron is the source of its color and can get darker as the iron is oxidizes. Most commercial Carnelian comes from India, but it is mined around the world. Gem-quality sources also include Brazil, Egypt, and Uruguay.
People have been using Carnelian to make jewelry for ages and it’s often found in the sophisticated collections of our royals, including within Egyptian tombs, as described in one of Christie’s mysteries. Our collection of Carnelian gemstone jewelry include bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. Wearing any piece of Carnelian brings both a healing experience and the perfect compliment to your summer outfits. Carnelian is a Leo birthstone, so we wish all the best to those who celebrate their birthdays in August :)
“As a matter of fact it wouldn't be safe to tell any man the truth about his wife! Funnily enough, I'd trust most women with the truth about their husbands.”
—Agatha Christie, "Murder in Mesopotamia"