Used for building
(1 Kings 5:17; Amos 5:11); memorial marks (Gen. 28:18; 35:14); knives (Ex. 4:25); ballots (Rev. 2:17). Symbols of hardness (1 Sam. 25:37); of firmness (Gen. 49:24); Christian aggregation (1 Pet. 2:4-6). Precious stones highly prized by Hebrews and much used on priestly vestments and as ornaments. Twenty gems are mentioned in the Bible (Gen. 2:12; Ex. 28:9-21). India, Arabia, and Syria were the sources of gems used by Hebrews (Ezek. 27:16-22).