MAKKAH – The precious stone market in Makkah has seen growth this year with the total sales of these stones reaching SR50 million in the Holy Month of Ramadan, Al-Hayat daily reported. Umrah performers are fond of such stones though some of them get tricked into buying cheap ones and paying a lot of money. The most precious ones come from India, Yemen, Iraq, and Sri Lanka. Many people put on the stones in necklaces or rings and believe that such stones have a supernatural power and can protect them against the evil eye. Most shops near the Grand Mosque sell the stones. Examples include rubies, diamonds, emerald, agates, turquoises, and aquamarines. People from the Gulf constitute the largest segment of precious stone buyers. Salim Al-Ne'emi, from the United Arab Emirates, says the precious stones can be found in most countries but the ones in Makkah are special because they come in different shapes and colors. “I strongly believe that the stones sold in Makkah have supernatural powers and protect one against all evils. A precious stone inside which you can see the image of the Kaaba can cost around SR30,000,” he said. Abdullah Mahdi owns a precious stone shop in Makkah. He says he sells the stones from Arab and Asian countries for various prices, trying to cater to the tastes of his customers and provide them with different collections of the gems. He also sells Islamic rosaries and rings that have or made of ruby, emerald, turquoise, silver, and pearls. Some people love to buy the inexpensive stones and give them away as gifts to their relatives. Mahdi's sales of these stones in Ramadan reach SR500,000. “I've been working in this business for over 20 years. Although there are websites where one can buy these stones, most Umrah performers still prefer to buy them here in Makkah, especially from the shops near the Grand Mosque,” he noted. It is normal to see a precious stone that can cost SR30,000, he said, stressing that in some shops a single precious stone can cost a million Saudi riyals. Abdulrahman Al-Subahi, a Shariah scholar, said most of the sayings about the benefits of precious stones are not accurate and have not been proved to be true. It is wrong to hold such stones in high esteem and believe they have such powers.
