What is a gemstone?
A gemstone is "a precious or semiprecious stone that can be cut and polished for use as a gem." Gemstones are valuable as currency, jewelry, symbolize love, power, magic... you name it, mankind has ascribed it to these natural treasures over the millennia.
There is nothing more admirable in this lower World then Precious Stones, seeing they are the Starres of the Earth, and shine in competition with those of the Firmament, disputing with them for splendor, beauty, and glory.
Nature produceth nothing more rich, and sufficiently confesseth it, in her most careful laying them up and hiding them in her private Cabinets and Repositories in the inner parts of the Earth, so that they are not easie to be come by; but their value and price make them worth the searching for, even through the bowels of the World.
— History of Jewels, Samuel Chapuzeau, 1671
* indicates Danielle's personal favorites.
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