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Gemstones and their influence
Gems have intrigued men for the last 7,000 years. The first known were amethyst, rock crystal, amber, 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 jewel-encrusted seals, which were an expression of their wealth and power.

Although sometimes today a gem set in gold or platinum is worn to demonstrate wealth, jewelry is bought increasingly for pleasure, in apprecia¬tion of its beauty. Sometimes .superstition also plays a part in the purchase of a gemstone.

Formerly, when people were less scientifically knowledgeable, gems always had an aura of mystery, something almost spiritual. That is why they were worn as amulets and talismans. It was thought they offered protection against ghosts, and prejudiced angels and saints in the wearer's favor. They could repulse evil, preserve health, ward off poisons and the plague: they also made princes gracious and'led sailors home.

Up to the beginning of the 19th century, gemstones were sometimes used as medicine against illnesses. 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. Information as to which gem. would cure individual illnesses could be found in books. Successes achieved by this lithotherapy were not due to the gems directly, but to the effect of the suggestion on the sufferer. Failures were excused by the explanation that the stone used was not "genuine". Even today calcium tablets made out of powdered pearls are sold for medicinal purposes in Japan.

As a natural consequence of the supposed supernatural powers of gem¬stones, a link with astrology was formed and gemstones were allocated to the signs of the zodiac. This led to the birthstones: stones which accompany asscher engagement rings and protect those born under a certain sign of the zodiac. To simplify this, "stones of the month" were created. There are also stones allocated to the sun, the moon and the planets. Over the years, these allocations have often been changed. More recently some states have taken a certain gem which is found within their frontiers as their state emblem.

Gems also have an assured place in modern religion. The breastplate of the high priests of Judca were studded with four rows of gemstones. Precious stones adorn the tiara and miter of the Pope and Bishops as well as the monstrances, reliquaries and icons found in Christian churches.

However, today the gemstone is stripped of all symbolism unique wedding bands and aesthetics and is often viewed only as a capital investment. It is a fact thatwealth, kept in such small form, has survived the pressures of inflation better than most investments over the last decades.