Eilat Stone is more than just a striking ornamental gem—it’s a cultural emblem of Israel. Named after the southern port city of Eilat, this stone was once mined in the Timna Valley, a region famous for ancient copper mining operations dating back thousands of years. Often called “King Solomon’s Stone,” folklore suggests it was pulled from the legendary mines operated during the reign of the biblical king.

What makes Eilat Stone visually arresting is its vibrant, marbled blue-green color palette. The stone isn’t a single mineral, but a natural blend of copper-bearing secondary minerals including chrysocolla, malachite, turquoise, azurite, and pseudomalachite. These minerals form as oxidized copper deposits weather and interact, producing swirling, layered patterns that are completely unique to each piece.

Today, no active mining of Eilat Stone is taking place, and all material on the market originates from old stock—either collected years ago or released from private collections. This scarcity has elevated its appeal among lapidaries, collectors, and jewelers who appreciate both its aesthetic and historical value.

Because of its composite nature, Eilat Stone varies in hardness and polishability depending on the dominant minerals in each specimen. Lapidaries must work skillfully with each piece, often orienting for both color and stability to bring out the stone’s natural beauty without compromising its integrity.

From its origins in biblical lore to its prized status in modern collections, Eilat Stone occupies a unique place in the gem world. It is not only the national stone of Israel but also a tangible connection to one of the world’s oldest mining cultures.