reÂ·ticÂ·uÂ·late. adj. 1. Resembling or forming a net or network: reticulate veins of a leaf. 2. Relating to or being an evolutionary process that involves the exchange of genes between organisms of different species, as in the formation of a new species through hybridization.
Egypt is rich in building and decorative stone, copper and lead ores, gold, and semiprecious stones. These natural resources allowed the ancient Egyptians to build monuments, sculpt statues, make tools, and fashion jewelry. Embalmers used salts from the Wadi Natrun for mummification, which also provided the gypsum needed to make plaster.
The Power of Stones: Jade. Jade occurs as jadeite and nephrite. While jade is not exceptionally hard (5-7 on the Mohs scale), it is very tough. It was so unbreakable, it was used for axe-heads and anvils. The word jade comes from the Spanish piedra de ijada stone for the loins, referring to its magical healing ability on that area of the body. There are many imitation jades which are passed off as the real thing. For one thing, they lack the toughness of real jade.