Perhaps no single object better embodies the mystery and magic of Ancient Egypt than the scarab. Representing the sacred desert beetle, scarabs were used by king and commoner alike as amulets of good fortune and prosperity. Certain scarabs also functioned as personal seals, which designated the property and authority of the person whose name appears on them. An emblem of Kephera, the creator, and the scarab was worshiped from the earliest period of civilization in Egypt. In addition to its aura of luck, the scarab represented eternal life and resurrection. The ancient Egyptians frequently wore the scarab as jewelry, especially in rings, bracelets and necklaces. This superb example is carved from amethyst, one of the gems most prized by the Egyptian nobility. To wear a scarab today is to link us with Egypt at the height of her grandeur. It also invites the accumulated good fortune of centuries to smile upon us, as it did upon its ancient owner.