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Alrededor de means around. The only time it means about is when it can also be translated as near or close to): Llegué alrededor de las dos (I arrived about/close to/around two o'clock). Había alrededor de veinte personas (There were about twenty people).
The gems represent the number of posts you've made. When you've posted a certain amount, you advance to the next gem. There is a post that lists the possible gems (levels) and the number of posts you need to attain before advancing to the next gem. Doing a search for 'gem' will find the post (it is in the Suggestions forum).