Since the beginning of time, stones have been used as building material as barter, adornment and in worship.  As I looked at the stones mentioned in both Old Testament (Exodus 28:15 - 30) and New Testament (Rev. 21)
I had to wonder, why these stones?  So, started my search for answers.

Because I knew so little about the stones mentioned in the Bible concerning the New Jerusalem and the Breastplate of the Jewish High Priest, (which are almost the same except for a few stones and that could be just a matter of interpretation) I found myself drawn into a deepening study of gem stones. After many, many, many hours of research and study, I realized every stone has had a meaning and purpose down through the centuries, which only served to peak my thirst for knowledge about stones even more. 

As I looked in books and at web sites to find out what these stones looked like and what they were used for, I started to find the information I was looking for.  To the best of my ability I have kept the meaning of these stones to their historical origins.  Links will be provided at the bottom of this page for some of the web sites where I have found my information. 

I have tried to apply the color of the stones to the names in the list below.  Depending on your monitor, the color should be some what close.  Keep in mind some of the stones come in many colors and some have patterns in them, so a good imagination is helpful. I have chosen what I feel is the most common color for each stone. 

I am in the process of expanding this information into a book, that will hopefully be out soon.  It will be posted on this web site as soon as it is done, so check back later to see how it's coming along.  Please feel free to sign  the while you're here.

 Here is what I've come up with so far.

The City - New Jerusalem                                    Heb. 12:22-24  Rev. 21  Is. 28:16  Ezk. 48:30-35

The Lamb - Jesus                                                     John 1:36      Rev. 5   Heb. 2:14-18

The Bride - Believers                                               Rev. 22:14     Acts 2:37-41     John 13:34-35

Linen - Righteousness                                             Psalms 15     James 3:18     Isaiah 3:10

Pearl - Covenants                                                      Heb. 13:20-21     Gen 12:1-3     Gen. 17:1-7

Gold - Purity                                                                 1 John 3:2-3   Malachi 3:1-4  Dan. 11:35

Jasper - Justice                                               Micah 6:8      Matt. 12:18-21     Zech. 7:8-10

Sapphire - Truth                                                                             James 1:18     John 17:17    Psalms 119:30-32

Chalcedony - Protection / Sealed                   Rom. 8:38-39  Psalms 18:1-2  2 Cor. 1:21-22

Emerald - Faith/Peace                                     Heb. 11:1-39     Phil. 4:7-8     2Peter 1:1-11

Sardonyx - Self Control / Holiness                   Gal. 5:22-23     1Peter 1:13-16      1Peter 5:8

Carnelian - Love                                              Matt. 22:36-40     11 Cor. 13     1John 4:7-12

Peridot - Thankfulness / Praise                                       Isaiah 61:10      Psalms 18:3     Phil. 4:4-6

Beryl - Wisdom / Humility                                 Prov. 4     James 3:17     Job 28:27-28

Topaz - Light                                                    John 1:6-13     Isaiah 9:2     Matt. 5:14-16

Chrysoprase - Repentance / Forgiveness        Eph. 4:32     Matt. 6:14     Acts 3:19-21

Jacinth - Christ-like / Abiding                            Phil. 2:1-11     John 13:3-17       John 15:5

Amethyst - Nobility / Sobriety                                  1Peter 2:9-10   1Peter 2:4-6     Romans 8:17

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I do not endorse every opinion or theological idea that is expressed on these web sites, but information is information.  I have long held the opinion, "Eat the chicken and spit out the bones."
I also hold to the idea,
"If scripture doesn't say it, don't make it say it, and if scripture does say it, line up with it." 

Here are some links that I have found in my research. 

www.en.wikipedia.org
http://www.rockhoundingar.com/miscellaneous/bible.html
www.ezreadbible.com
www.searchgodsword.org/con/ttt/view.cgi?number=T445
www.templeinstitute.org/main.html
www.jewishencyclopedia.com
www.bereanworkman.com/miscellaneous/bride.html
www.antipas.org
www.revelationillustrated.com
www.arrel.org/ff00113c.html
www.keyway.ca/htm2002/kingdom.htm