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Gemstones
Gemstones have fascinated mankind for many thousands of years. At first they
were reserved for the rich and powerful. They were linked to the supernatural and to the stars
in the sky.
As early as 25,000 years ago mankind was decorating himself with shells,
pebbles and pieces of bone. Less than 10,000 years ago the inhabitants of Mesopotamia, modern
day Iraq, began fashioning beads from carnelian and quartz. Less than 2000 years later carved
cylinder seals made with soft stones such as marble began to appear. It was almost 3000 years
later that cylinder seals from harder minerals such as quartz were created. 5000 years BC, the
mines lapis mines of Afghanistan were being actively worked, and soon the beautiful mineral was
being exported to the far corners of the world. In their day, the citizens of China, India and
Rome all received gems from this source. As technology improved and trade increased, the mining
and distribution of gemstones became more widespread. Peaceful trade for precious gems and
minerals soon turned to warfare for the sake of acquiring riches, culminating in the conquest of
the new world by the Spanish in search of gold, silver emeralds and other gemstones possessed by
the peoples of central and south America.
Today, gems are admired for their beauty rather than for some mystical power
and, except for some of the rarer specimens, gemstones are obtainable even by those with the
most modest of incomes. While an exceptionally large ruby may still command a price of hundreds
of thousands of dollars, an amethyst or topaz of a few carats will set the buyer back less than
the cost of a good meal at a cheap restaurant.
Discover the wonder of gemstones through the articles on individual stones
found under the 'Gemstones' folder at the left.
Copyright © 2005 by Gem And Mineral Info.com.
All descriptions and images, except where noted, are the property of
Gem And Mineral Info.com
Where noted images and descriptions are used with permission of copyright
holder as indicated.