And there's been a continuous passion for pearls over centuries, it never ceases really and that is very different to other gemstones".
It also contains coal, iron, uranium, gold, copper, rare earths, gemstones and much more, including, of course, fish.
She lists a baffling range of charlatans in the state of West Bengal: sellers of gemstones with supposedly therapeutic powers, providers of talismans and amulets, purveyors of cosmetics with magical properties.She argues for a nationwide law along the lines of Mr Dabholkar's in Maharashtra.
But growing numbers are also venturing farther afield, into gemstones such as rubies, sapphires and emeralds.
As the Pantone wordsmiths point out, Most often associated with brilliant, precious gemstones, the perception of Emerald is sophisticated and luxurious.
De Beers claims to have stopped scooping up loose gemstones on the open market that might have come from African war zones.
For one thing, even rebels would have trouble finding a market for ill-gotten gemstones at present.Besides, the diamonds' recent lack of lustre may bring unexpected benefits.
Ask politely, and you might be allowed to gaze from a respectful distance, and only after much ceremony at the sultan's magical crown, its hundred sparkling gemstones hanging heavy like ripe peaches.
It is just one of several new, newly reopened or newly planned mines in Zambia, not all producing copper, the country's traditional mineral, but uranium, gemstones and phosphates.
The new pipelines will follow the route of the old British-built Burma Road, which still carries timber, gold, gemstones and other Burmese raw materials north to China and brings in cheap manufactures.
In 2008 America banned imports of gemstones from junta-ruled Myanmar, a major source of rubies.
