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The
specific uses of gems have varied in different historical
periods. In the Greek and Roman periods, carving attained
the state of great art, including the introduction of
the cameo, or raised relief technique, around 300 B.C.
In ancient Rome pearls were highly esteemed.
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Julius
Caesar is reputed to have paid the modern equivalent
of $300,000 for a single fine pearl! But opals and other
gems were also prized, and wealthy Romans tried to outdo
each other in acquiring fine stones. |
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In
the centuries that followed the fall of the Roman Empire gems
re-established themselves as objects of magical powers. For
example, the signs of the zodiac were associated with specific
gems. The number 12 is of great significance in this context.
Each of the 12 tribes of ancient Israel had been represented
by a gem in the breastplate of the High Priest.
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SPECIFICUSE GEMS |
| Centuries
later, each of the 12 apostles was assigned a
specific gemstone, and the same for the 12 months
of the year. The idea of birthstones appears to
have come along much later-probably the 18th Century.
In the Middle Ages, the Church dominated the thinking
of European man, and gems became part of holy
rituals. Sapphire acquired status as the favorite
ringstone of high Church officials.
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Chalices
set with precious stones became artistic treasures.
Further mysticism embellished the already large
heritage of magical powers associated with gemstones,
and gems became tools in medical practice. The
curative powers ascribed to certain gems were
incredible. Doubtless sometimes a cure was effected,
since psychosomatic illness can be cured as easily
with a sugar pill as with swallowed gem powders.
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In
the 17th and T 8th Centuries, scholars began to seriously
study the glittering creations of nature we call minerals.
With the development of the science of mineralogy came greater
knowledge of gems, and the science of gemology was born. Scientific
tests were developed for recognizing gems and distinguishing
one from another.
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