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 The
quick answer is "Why not?" but let's be a little less
flippant. Most of the people love the color, the variety,
the brilliance, the flash, the lore of gemstones. Gems even
permeate our history. For example, the jades of ancient
China, the lapis lazuli and turquoise treasures of the
Egyptian pharaohs, turquoise of the Native Americans, the
rubies, emeralds, and sapphires of India. Every royal family
has its treasured gems and jewels, and most families of
lesser means have their own precious heirlooms. Our museums
have vast collections of uncut gem materials, loose
gemstones, and precious metal jewelry set with marvelous
polish, faceted, and carved gems.
Over the past century, we've all been taught that "diamonds
are forever" and learned about birthstones. Jesus told the
parable of the pearl of great price. Husbands and wives
traditionally exchange gifts of precious stone jewelry. We
carry gems as lucky stones and amulets. Some think that
gemstones contain special healing powers. For whatever
reason, most of us are attracted to gems, and they will
always be a part of our lives. Thus some people started
collecting gemstones like stamps, coins etc.
Just like other collectibles, gems sometimes appreciate in
value and may be sold for a profit. However, most collectors
are loath to part with their prized collections -- gems,
stamps, coins, whatever -- and prefer to keep them for their
entertainment, educational, and aesthetic value. If they
happen to make some money off their hobby, great! If not,
they have the pleasure of building and maintaining a unique
collection of interesting items.
Although gems are frequently used in jewelry, they are
perfectly good collectibles in
their own right. In fact, there are many attractive and
interesting gems that are too fragile or too large to be
used in jewelry. Here's a suggestion -- don't think of a gem
as a component of jewelry; think of it as a piece of art, a
miniature sculpture to be treasured for its unusual nature
and for the craftsmanship of the artisan who shaped it.
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