Laki gemstones

These red gemstones were much valued by the D'ni, perhaps as much for their provenance as for their intrinsic value. They were harvested from the bodies of the Laki, an aquatic animal, by warriors of the native Kresh race, who fought fierce battles with the laki in an arena before an appreciative D'ni audience. The gems were then taken by jewelers through a special door from the arena into the trade house, where they could be sold.