11.   The flowers mature in late summer into red fruits that nestle as precious gems among lemon-yellow autumn leaves.

12.   Other organizations have reportedly begun to use precious gems for transactions instead of cash, which is more easily traced, it said.

13.   Diamond dealers from several Gulf states with no official ties to Israel are visiting the country and secretly negotiating to buy precious gems, a leading businessman said Sunday.

14.   Early this month, police asked the widow of slain president R. Premadasa about the disappearance of a precious gem from the presidential palace.

15.   Legend says that this island is filled with precious gems such as Chaos Emeralds.

16.   The extraction and sale of minerals -- including uranium, gold, diamonds and other precious gems -- has kept some of the warring sides fighting for territory.

17.   The precious gems investigators said they found earlier this fall were personal effects, he said.

18.   TRAVELLERS to Sri Lanka can enjoy not just its rich culture, art, precious gems and beautiful beaches, but also the exotic flavours of its cuisine.