The Jewel and Her Lapidary

This is a highly original story and I enjoyed it.

I saw several reviews which classify the two main characters' relationship as romantic, but I didn't really see it that way. To me it's more accurate to call it a very close master/servant bond, and it does have the usual moral problems of that setup, since the lapidaries are more or less slaves. But if the lapidaries did not serve the jewels, they would be slaves to the gems, I guess, so it's a little morally grey.

The story is kind of in the tradition of classic sci-fi short stories I read as a kid, like Ray Bradbury - it's nothing like his work in tone or subject matter, but in that it's focused on a very specific concept, the magic system, and the plot and characters seem to spring from that idea. But the characters are definitely interesting and well-developed, and the plot kept me guessing until the end.

I did know about the ending before I started this - it's a sad ending, but it fits the story and does not feel inappropriate.