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What is a Gem?
A gem is generally defined as any mineral that is highly prized for its beauty, durability, and rarity, is used for personal adornment, and has been enhanced in some manner by altering its shape—usually by cutting and polishing.
Michelangelo's David
The sculpture represents the biblical David, Israelite slayer of the Philistine giant Goliath. David is carved from solid marble and stands at over 16ft (5m), weighing more than 5.5 tons (5 tonnes). He holds a sling in one hand and a stone in the other.
Russian Amber Room
The Amber Room remained a prized possession of the Russian state until World War II, when looting German forces dismantled it. The stolen panels were packed into 27 crates and carried off to Königsberg Castle on the Baltic coast. The trail ends there.
Sacred Stones
In both the Old and New Testaments, jewels are used as a metaphor to express how beautiful heaven will be. As a consequence, early medieval churches often used gems in their regalia, to decorate altars,and on the special vessels and vestments used in church services and processions.
Ammonite
In medieval Europe, the fossils were called snakestones or serpentstones and were believed to be petrified snakes, the work of saints such as St. Patrick or St. Hilda of Whitby.
Brazilianite
Brazilianite was only discovered and named—for the South American country of its discovery—in 1945, making it a relatively 'new' gemstone. Most brazilianite is chartreuse yellow to pale yellow in color, and it is relatively hard for a phosphate mineral; it is also brittle.
Treasure Chambers of Augustus II
The Grünes Gewölbe (Green Vault) in the Residenzschloss in Dresden, Germany, is home to the largest collection of treasures in Europe. Founded in 1730 by Augustus II (1670-1733) to hold the royal jewel collection, it contains over 3,000 unique treasures.
Turquoise
Turquoise from Nishapur, Iran (formerly Persia,) is considered by many to be the finest quality and has been mined for centuries. This turquoise, usually referred to as 'Persian', tends to be harder and of a more even color than North American turquoise, and it is always sky blue, never green.
Gems for Anniversaries
Stones have been assigned to planets, days of the week, and, most enduringly in modern times, to anniversaries.