We typically do these things for complex internal reasons. It is a very good thing that they help give us an individual focal point to return to in a very busy stressful world not to mention the experience of the wondrous magical stones. I think we are very fortunate.
One of the reasons to try thus hard on carving was my father. He was immensely gifted working with wood, and I knew from small on that he would want us to pick up on his gift. To his disappointment, we never did and both, my brother and I seemed to have turned out pure klots.
That was until I picked up stones and seem to have found a medium that allows me to catch up to him eventually.
Unfortunately, my father has passed now two years already, and never saw anything I made. But it was tremendously satisfying this August going home, and seeing the interest in all pieces from everyone around. From close to 40 pieces given away, I know that 16 have already been set and are worn regularly (a family friend and goldsmith at home has contacted me and cursed me for the irregular shapes :) :) ). That and pieces worn like by the Canadian Lady who wears it for her traditional dances, are the motivation and reward, worthwhile to keep trying to do more and better.
And yes, sitting there, and tinkering away, allows one to completely forget the things that might not be that bright in ones life. Shutting them out for a while is a brilliant way to return to them eventually, with a fresh mind and often with solutions that where so far before.