| The scarab beetle has been a symbolic motif in | | | | metals. |
| Egyptian jewelry for thousands of years. The | | | | The symbolism in scarab jewelry derives primarily |
| scarab is a symbol of regeneration and rebirth, | | | | from its association with the Egyptian god of the |
| thus scarab jewelry was thought to bring | | | | rising sun, Khepri. One type of scarab, the "Sacred |
| protection, luck and vitality to the wearer. | | | | Scarab" or dung beetle, lays its eggs in a ball of |
| Egyptian soldiers were given scarabs before going | | | | dung which it rolls along the ground and finally into |
| into battle. Women were given scarabs for | | | | a hole where the eggs hatch and new beetles |
| fertility. Scarab beads and designs were | | | | emerge from. This scarab was seen as the |
| commonly fashioned into bracelets, pendants and | | | | earthly representation of Khepri in that it was |
| rings. | | | | believed that this god rolled the sun across the |
| Scarab jewelry was made from a wide range of | | | | sky each day, thus renewing life. The scarab is |
| stones and materials. Archeologists have found | | | | also associated with astrology and may have |
| examples of scarab beads and artifacts made | | | | preceded the crab as the symbol we know as |
| from clay, soapstone, green basalt, glass, bone, | | | | Cancer. |
| precious metals, wood, semi-precious gemstones | | | | Scarabs were also used in ancient Egypt for |
| and many other types of stone. The colors of | | | | protection in the afterlife. Large "heart scarabs" |
| scarabs were symbolic so plain stone was often | | | | with hieroglyphic inscriptions on the underside, |
| glazed or enameled in bright colors. The most | | | | were placed across the chest of the deceased in |
| common colors found in enameled scarab jewelry | | | | the tomb. They were also found in place of the |
| were green (symbolizing new life), blue (for the | | | | heart in mummified bodies. These heart scarabs |
| sky and the River Nile), and red (for the sun). In | | | | were believed to protect the dead in the final |
| addition to enamels, brightly coloured | | | | judgment. The most famous of these was a |
| semi-precious gemstones were used in scarab | | | | chest or "pectoral" scarab found in Thebes in the |
| jewelry making including lapis lazuli, amethyst, | | | | tomb of King Tutankhamen. Today, heart scarabs |
| carnelian, agate, jasper, onyx and turquoise. | | | | are valued for ornamental purposes, and many still |
| Today, scarab jewelry is still made from | | | | bear hieroglyphs and symbolic carvings on the |
| gemstones, enameled materials, and precious | | | | underside. |