A bezoar stone mounted in a plain brass band

The bezoar stone is found as a concretion in the stomachs or intestines of various ruminants, such as antelopes, camels, deer and goats. It used to be thought that the more rare the animal, the greater the power of the bezoar. The name comes from the Persion padzahr, meaning "to expel poison". From the Middle Ages on, the bezoar stone was believed to offer protection from diseases and poisioning.