I have always loved gemstones. I’m a woman…and diamonds are a girl’s best friend, so they say!
I think I developed a greater love and appreciation for crystals and gemstones during our years of home-schooling our kids. We travelled extensively within the eastern and central states of Australia, my husband needing to for work, so we tagged along. It was a great time of bonding and teaching our captive audience on our long-distance drives! The two eldest, at the time were 12 and 10 years old, the other three a bit young to grasp but geology and history were the favourite topics, and all developed a knowledge and interest in both over time. With each trip, our gathering of rocks and minerals grew, the luggage storage in the car strained with extra plastic boxes of our categorised and catalogued collection.
I can recall one trip to Atherton, on the tablelands in Queensland we visited a display of geological wonders at The Crystal Caves…. a shopfront and prized geological collection set in a cave-like setting. When we entered the dark and walked along boardwalks the displays of each precious stone, in its raw state, formed but uncut …or polished crystal, was lit from beneath to highlight the beauty of its colour and extraordinary form. Agate, beryl, opals, rubies, sapphires, Geodes of amethyst just to name a few.
I was so moved by the realization that all this beauty had been hidden beneath the ground, formed under intense pressure, violent earth movement and heat and encased in rock. Deep underground, out of sight, many extensive cave systems worldwide, discovered by adventurers, sometimes accidently, have exposed extraordinary crystal formations. Since that day, I have found myself drawn to gemstone collections and displays with a holy awe and reverence, often taken by surprise by my emotional response to these “Hidden treasures”.
Clearly God has delighted not only in their making but also in our discovery and use of His creation. The Bible is full of references to God’s insistence of the inclusion, craftmanship and decoration of His temple, the Ark of the Covenant, and John’s description of Heaven in Revelation 21.
. This is a wonderful view of God’s richness, beauty and pleasure in us and His promise of steadfast love and protection…
Isaiah 54:11, 12
‘I will build you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with sapphires
I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels,
And all your walls of precious stones.”
Each gemstone is unique. Surprisingly, in researching this, it is not perfection of the crystal that makes it unique but its imperfections. ‘Formed under intense pressure and temperatures, gemstones are susceptible to severe faults, regarded as “birthmarks”. “These flaws are the result of environmental, external influences and are categorised based on their “display qualities” after polishing.
Flaws in our world view, are imperfections not normally celebrated for the uniqueness and qualities they bring. In an article from GemSelect* in their August 2018 newsletter, they state “inclusions (imperfections) can be an indicator of authenticity and origin and give texture & colour to a gemstone. It was the authors opinion that diversity and “uniqueness” are part of “a rich tapestry to be celebrated.”
We were all formed in darkness, given and developed traits and characteristics as a result of process, trial, environmental and external forces which make us unique. It is not until we are seen and appreciated for who we are, our “flaws” accepted and yes, celebrated, and valued because they are part of our story.
A recent Facebook post on “neuroatypical” kids, spoke of how these kids are devalued by this categorisation process that determines their “value” to an employer based on what others want to see and experience., where worth is limited by the processes and “deemed attributes” necessary and “display qualities” that are acceptable. They want “Cookie-cutter “people not individuals “crafted” by our Creator. Each of these kids add colour to the tapestry of the lives of their families if, like gemstones, are valued and treasured for their uniqueness, flaws and all. Often, it is the very trait considered to be a mistake/flaw that is the most endearing and special thing about them adding to…. no, enhancing their value.
I found this whole concept of irregular, uniquely shaped and marked stones fascinating, My expectation and understanding of a stones value was based on its Cut quality. According to the experts trained in the craft, It is the “cut quality “of a stone by a craftsman that significantly impacts a stones value. Facetted stones are said to be preferred. Their clarity and transparency that reflect light give the gemstones their brilliance and this is a highly prized trait particularly with diamonds.
Sadly, we have become obsessed with our need, desire…lust…for perfection. This has birthed an industry of lies, of striving for personal gratification…body image, tattoos, injectable Botox, diets, self-glory, self-help, self-obsessed…. a management, manipulation and maintenance of our lives and circumstances.
This social trend can be illustrated in my research on lab-grown gemstones…. perfection for less! But again, they are deemed by gem specialists to be “too perfect”, lacking character and uniqueness.
Several articles on these counterfeit stones lists the following qualities as desirable for their consideration and purchase over and above naturally formed stones:
- One’s social standing and identity is preserved as lab grown stones are not to be considered “low society” items but symbols of technological advancement and inclusion in the “Luxury” set. Only a trained eye would be able to tell the difference.
- Quality is assured. The belief is that the manufactured stone holds the same spiritual sway, and their metaphysical properties are not diminished.
- Their lustre and sheen outshine the natural stone, making them an ideal choice in comparison to natural stone.
- You can customise your stone’s colour, properties & lustre and safeguard against any untoward effects found in natural stones.
- There is unlimited supply and guaranteed quality of all varieties and sizes of stones.
- There is no mining, pollution, and degradation of the environment in their manufacturing processes therefore hailing the process as being environmentally aware and sustainable.
Thank God I can come, warts and all…lopsided, deformed by worldview standards, seen and valued with all my imperfections made as perfection in Christ. “God wants the world to see in me the extent of what His grace can do”. (“Defined” pg 81 Kendrick) …someone whose transformation cannot be explained in any other way except by the life-altering power of and presence of God.”
Applaud our imperfections’. Appreciate those things that make us unique and tell our particular story and accept that others have their own place in God’s scheme of things. Whether our lives and beings are multi-facetted, with many gifts and talents, traits and truths or we have been marked by God with some unique offering for the world in which we live and move, we are here to shine and reflect God’s grace, love, and acceptance.
Colossians 2:3 “For our spiritual wealth is in Him like hidden treasure waiting to be discovered…heaven’s wisdom and endless riches of revelation knowledge.”
So go mining in God’s Word for the truth of who you are…and who HE is. He has a treasure storehouse waiting for you to discover and promises that “if you seek you will find”.
References:
1.Isabella Yan. Embracing the Flaws. Jewelry Connoisseur by Rapaport, U.S.A. December 2010. Retrieved 23rd July 2021.
2.Jewelrywise.com Signet Jewelers Limited 2021
What You Need to Know about Lab-Created Gemstones
http://www.jewelrywise.com/just-for-you/article/what-you-need-to-know-about-lab-created-stones
Retrieved 24th July 2021
3.Fabulous Gemstone Flaws and Inclusions
https://www.gemselect.com/help/newsletter/newsletter-aug-18.php
First Published: March-06-2018
Last Updated: August-02-2018
Retrieved 24th July 2021
4. Photos by Naomi Roorda