Gemstones

Gems have intrigued humans for at least 10,000 years. The first known, used for making jewelry, include amethyst, rock crystal, ember, garnet, jade, jasper, coral, lapis lazuli, pearl, serpentine, emerald, and turquoise. These stones were reserved for the wealthy, and served as status symbols. Rulers sealed documents with their jewel-encrusted seals. Such treasures can now be admired at many museums and treasure-vaults.
Today, gems are worn not so much to demonstrate wealth, but rather jewelry is bought increasingly for pleasure, in appreciation of its beauty.
Certainly, also today, when purchasing a gemstone, a certain love for a special stone is part of it. Formerly, when people were less scientifically knowledgeable, gems always had an aura of mystery, something almost spiritual. That's why they were worn as amulets and talismans. Up to the present day, gemstones have sometimes been used as remedies against illness. They could be used in three different ways: the mere presence of the stone was sufficient to effect a cure; the gem was placed on the afflicted part of the body; or the stone was powdered and eaten.
Presently, medical science worldwide is experiencing a revival of the ideas of the Middle Ages in the use of precious stones through the doctrines of the Esoteric. As a  capital investment, however, of all gemstone really only diamonds are suitable. In fact, these have proven to hold on to their value, despite the travails of war or depression in the economy.
The truly modern problem is the imitation of gemstones that have become more and more sophisticated. Although replicas of precious matter have always existed, it is only in our modern times that imitating has turned into a booming economic sector with an often disreputable background.