THE GOLD OF THAT LAND: Biblical Minerals & Rocks  

59.     sardius

Hebrew: 'odem, from 'âdâm, ruddy. A red gemstone. Exodus 28:17, 39:10; Ezekiel 28:13.

Greek: sardios, possibly meaning a stone of Sardis. Revelation 21:20.

Probable Identification:

    Sard, a translucent, chestnut brown variety of chalcedony that is slightly darker than carnelian.

    As the first stone in the high priest’s breastplate (Appendix), the sardius bore the name of the tribe of Reuben.

Sources:

            Ralph, Jolyon, 1993-2004. http://www.mindat.org/min-7607.html

Schumann, op. cit.; 126-127.