Ancient Egyptians viewed glass as a magical gemstone forged by the power of fire.

Glassmaking in Egypt dates back to at least 1500 BCE during the 18th Dynasty. Archaeological evidence from sites like Amarna and Qantir shows that Egyptians used a complex process of heating crushed quartz or sand with plant ash and lime. To achieve specific colors, they added metal oxides such as copper for turquoise and cobalt for deep blue. The term 'the stone that flows' reflects the transformative nature of the material which required temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius. This was a technological marvel for the time because it required specialized kilns and precise heat control. Because the process was so labor-intensive and the materials were difficult to source, glass production was a state-controlled monopoly. The famous funerary mask of King Tutankhamun, discovered by Howard Carter in 1922, features extensive glass inlays alongside real gemstones. This proves that glass was not seen as a cheap imitation but as a luxury material of equal value to lapis lazuli. The chemical stability of Egyptian glass has allowed these artifacts to survive for over 3,000 years with their colors still vivid today.