Eilat Stone Jewelry

Unique Handmade Eilat Stone Jewelry

Eilat stone is not a single mineral. It is what mineralogists call a polymineralic combination, a natural fusion of four copper-based stones (malachite, azurite, chrysocolla, and turquoise) that crystallised together in the rock formations above the Red Sea. The result is a stone that reads as blue, green, and sometimes black all at once, with veining that swirls rather than stripes. Because each specimen is a small geological record of where it grew, no two cabochons of Eilat stone look alike.

The Timna Valley, just north of the city of Eilat, has been mined for copper since the late Bronze Age. Egyptian, Edomite, and Israelite mining works are all documented in the archaeological record, and the popular name "King Solomon stone" reflects the long-held belief (debated by scholars) that the same mines supplied jewelry and ritual objects for the First Temple in Jerusalem. Whether or not the specific Biblical attribution holds, Eilat stone has been a part of Jewish material culture for at least three thousand years.

Today, the mines yield only small quantities, which is why genuine Eilat stone is considered semi-precious and increasingly collectible. At Baltinester, every stone in our Eilat stone collection is sourced from Israel, and we work only with rough that comes with documentation of its origin. Our goldsmiths cut and polish each cabochon in our Jerusalem workshop before setting it into solid 14K gold, sterling silver, or two-tone designs.

The collection covers four main formats. Eilat stone pendants are our most popular, with the stone framed in a smooth bezel and hung from a fine gold or silver chain. Eilat stone rings range from low-profile cabochons to dramatic statement settings. Eilat stone earrings are usually produced as small studs or drop styles. Eilat stone cufflinks, a specialty of ours, are particularly popular as Bar Mitzvah and wedding gifts for men.

Every piece in the collection is photographed individually because the colour varies so much between stones, and the photograph on the product page is the exact piece you will receive. Shipping is worldwide from Jerusalem, with a certificate of authenticity for the stone and metal.