Searching for gemstones can be such a fascinating and enjoyable hobby. Some take it more seriously, making a living out of digging for opals or even prospecting for gold.
When living in the Mid North of South Australia I had fun fossicking, looking in particular for quartz crystals. A favourite spot was an old roadside stone quarry where a local told me there were crystals to be found. With rock pic hammer in hand, I started digging and probing in a soft clay section of the rock face. In a short space of time a glassy tip was visible, minutes later I had found my first cluster of quartz crystals… so exciting!

Geologists explain that mineral crystallisation requires the essential ingredients of temperature, pressure and time. One source of gemstones is from plutonic igneous rock which forms when hot magna is trapped deep inside the earth. It then cools slowly and crystallizes, forming minerals. Some word meanings of interest; Pluto was the Roman God of wealth and the underworld, and igneous comes from the Latin word for fire.

Of course, there is one gem which has a particular fascination, GOLD! So soft and pliable that it can be flattened into very thin sheets called gold leaf. Also, it does not rust making it so long lasting. The fact that gold doesn’t tarnish either, means it retains its lustre.

In finding precious stones and understanding a little about related geology I see a parallel with discovering truth in the Bible. But like commercial mining or amateur gem hunting, searching is required, we must be prepared to dig for truth. The reward is that we will find something of lasting value, spiritual gems of WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING!

Ref. Prov. 2:4-5. NIV