Semi-Precious Gemstones have been appreciated for their beauty as ornaments and as collectibles since the beginning of civilization. In ancient times as well as in todays modern world gemstones are believed by many to have the power of bestowing good fortune and prosperity. Indeed, even the presence of a large gem or semi-precious gemstone can fill a room with splendor. Semi-precious gem stones are also related to the twelve signs of the zodiac such as Tiger's Eye is to Gemini, Onyx is to Capricorn and so on.

The oldest names for gemstones can be traced back to Asian languages, to Persian, to Greek and to Latin. Many of the gemstones today have retained their ancient names like Malachite (Greek) while others are know by a combination of nomenclatures such as Lapis Lazuli (Arabic-Latin).

Although some areas of the world are more mineral-rich than others, no one country can boast of having, as a natural resource, all the varieties of gems and semi-precious gems currently known. Thus international trade in rough and finished gemstones is quite extensive. In many countries skilled jewelers and craftsmen cut and polish rough stones to be used in fine jewelry making. But only in Asia and particularly in India are semi-precious gems carved into sculptures of such exquisite beauty as those we have found.

The techniques of gem carving and engraving vary according to the individual artist, but in most cases the tools of choice are diamond-tip hand-held devices. Some of the diamond-tip tools are spheres, wheels, needles, or cones. For polishing the finished sculpture, either wood, leather, or another softer material along with water and polishing pastes are employed.

The work of the sculptor is very tedious and requires highly trained skills, patience and precision hands. The artist must have a thorough knowledge of the particular stone on which he is working so as to use the natural color and grain of the stone to his best advantage. Several months of work are usually required to produce a single gem sculpture of an average height of four to five inches. The harder the stone, the greater the endeavor necessary and thus the longer the time required.

Sculpture has always been a valued art form but when sculpture is rendered with gems it becomes more than just a work of art, it becomes a treasure.