SOLOMONS AGATE VERSUS SULEMANI AGATE
Even though Sulemani means Solomon,
ancientbead.com has chosen to define the term
Solomon Agate as different from Sulemani Agate.
Real Solomon agate?
Here you can see bead samples made of
agate with a quite different look.
From where this agate was sourced nobody knows.
Illustration 1
Illustration 2
Period: before 1000 B.C.
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On Illustration 1 & 2 you will see a quite different kind of black and white banded agate than the Sulemani agate displayed further down the page. The patina of these two kinds of agate is quite different.
On the first two illustrations the beads do not display the same
kind of glass like shine as the more ordinary Sulemani beads.
Another characteristics is that the real Solomon agate shows greater contrast between the black and the white colours.
The holes in the real Solomon agate beads are due to age mostly larger than
in the later Sulemani beads.
According to Mr. Malik Hakila, a world leading bead expert and a
bead shop owner from Kathmandu who also runs a bead factory in
Cambey, Gujarat, the banded agate shown on the first two
illustrations today only is found in the form of ancient beads.
The actual mining place of this kind of agate is presently
unknown! Due to this fact this special agate has got the
mythological honor of being called: Agate from the lost mines
of King Solomon!
Of course it is not possible to know if this agate really was mined from Solomos mines. But it is a beautiful fantasy. What is real is that this type of agate is rare and that nobody knows form where it is sourced.
The colouring af the sulemani beads is man made
But the final look of these agate stone beads are nearly all man made. To get the contrast between the black and the white stripes, these beads are soaked in honey or sugar water. This technique was invented by the mysterious Indus people. You can read more about that here.
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Buddhist power beads
Ancient banded Sulemani agate beads
 
26 * 23 * 12 mm
Origin: The Himalayas
Period:
300 B.C. to 1000 A.D.
This wonderful tabular, natural banded agate bead has a beautiful patina and a unique
pattern.
Like the Bhaisajyagurubeads below this bead has a chocolate brown colour with natural crystalline banding.
Barrel shaped Sulemani agate beads
 
23 * 10 mm
 
19 * 13 mm
This wonderful bead is one my favorites!
 
17 * 11 mm
 
14 * 9 mm
Bicone Sulemani agate beads
 
22 * 14 mm
 
23 * 13 mm
 
23 * 12 mm
15 * 10 mm
Pendant sulemani
18 * 11 mm
Wonderful Bhaisajyaguru beads!
Buddhist Bhaisajyaguru beads
Sulemani agate in a globular bead shape was used by Sufi Moslem Faqirs and before that
they were used as Buddhist prayer beads. Especilly Afghanistan is interesting in this context.
Afghanistan was a predominant Buddhist culture up to 1000 AD!
As round Buddhist prayer beads the sulemani agate beads are also known as Bhaisajyaguru beads.
These Prayer beads removes according to tradition, roots of diseases, ensures health and longevity.
In Mahayana Buddhism, Bhaisajyaguru represents the healing aspect of the historical Buddha Sakyamuni.
These beads have been in the hands of beings with pure intentions for generations.
Some of these beings may even have been enlightened!
Small globular Sulemani/Bhaisajyaguru beads
Average size: 6 mm
Ancient globular Sulemani agate beads
Period:
Around 300 B.C. to 1000 A.D.
Smaller banded barrel shaped Sulemani beads
Illustration 3
Average size: 10 * 5,5 mm
Ancient banded barrel shaped Sulemani agate beads
Period:
300 B.C. to 1000 A.D.
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Contact: Gunnar Myhlman -
Gunnars@mail.com
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