The
long history of gemstones and their use
is lost in the mists of time. Our oldest
ancestors sought all sorts of stones,
because of their solidity and hardness,
to make tools and weapons for everyday
life. At the beginning of the Neolithic
period, men could already distinguish
between certain sparkling, or richly colored
stones, to which they attributed supernatural
powers. These powers could be enhanced
by engraving the stones with magical signs.
By the end of prehistoric times, such
stones had become the first medium of
exchange between the desert nomads and
the settled farming communities. Valued
for their magical properties, rather than
their beauty, these gems were not articles
of luxury but everyday necessities.
Alphabetical
Gemstone List
Click
on a letter for a list of gems:
