1BK13 Rocks, Minerals, and Gemstones An Introductory Study Guide by James S. Kernaghan –  Man has used rocks, minerals and gemstones since the beginning of time. Artifacts reveal the advance of man was closely associated with his advances in mining and learning uses for rocks and minerals. Rock tools and weapons were fashioned from rocks and with the discovery of metals, tools became more complex. Man has fashioned colorful minerals into jewelry since the stone age. Our lives depend on rocks and minerals: “If it cannot be grown, it has to be mined.”