For centuries,
gemstones have played a significant role in the everyday lives of
people. Today, birthstones are used to represent the birth month of
individuals. Some believe that birthstones hold special powers for
the wearer. Others just appreciate wearing a gemstone that represents
the month in which they were born.
When did these
gemstones first become associated with the months of the year?
Historians think that the first written record comes from the book of
Exodus in the Old Testament of the Bible. Here, the breastplate of
the Hebrew's high priest is described as having 12 specific gems, one
for each of Israel's 12 tribes:
"Then they
mounted four rows of precious stones on it. In the first row there
was a ruby, a topaz and a beryl; in the second row was a turquoise, a
sapphire and an emerald; in the third row a jacinth, an agate and an
amethyst; in the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper. They
were mounted on gold filigree settings. There were twelve stones, one
for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a
seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes." (Exodus,
Chapter 39:9-14, New International Version)
During the 8th and
9th centuries, gemstones were also connected to the 12 apostles.
Since then, the 12 stones have been related to birth months and
zodiac signs. The actual wearing of birthstones probably originated
in Poland in the 15th or 16th century. Many believed that the powers
of a gemstone for a particular month were heightened in that month.
Hence, people may have worn the birthstone for each month, hoping to
achieve the full effects of those gemstones.
It wasn't until
1912 when the Jewelers of America organized an official list
connecting each month with a specific stone. They added or changed
the list according to what was most commercially viable, and not
necessarily what was traditionally deemed the proper birthstone for
that particular month. This list is still used today to identify
particular stones. As a result, some argue that the proper way to
assign gemstones is according to astrological sign and not month. For
this reason, some older birthstone lists vary from today's modern
birthstones as the following listing demonstrates.
Traditional and
Modern Monthly Birthstones:
January
Modern: Garnet
Zodiac Gemstone
for Capricorn: Ruby
February
Modern: Amethyst
Zodiac Gemstone
for Aquarius: Garnet
March
Modern: Aquamarine
Zodiac Gemstone
for Pisces: Amethyst
April
Modern: Diamond
Zodiac Gemstone
for Aries: Bloodstone
May
Modern: Emerald
Zodiac Gemstone
for Taurus: Sapphire
June
Modern:
Alexandrite or Pearl
Zodiac Gemstone
for Gemini: Agate
July
Modern: Ruby
Zodiac Gemstone
for Cancer: Emerald
August
Modern: Peridot
Zodiac Gemstone
for Leo: Onyx
September
Modern: Sapphire
Zodiac Gemstone
for Virgo: Carnelian
October
Modern: Opal or Tourmaline
Zodiac Gemstone
for Libra: Peridot
November
Modern: Topaz and Citrine
Zodiac Gemstone
for Scorpio: Beryl
December
Modern: Turquoise,
Blue Topaz, or Tanzanite
Zodiac Gemstone
for Sagittarius: Topaz
Certain months
offer various options for the modern birthstone. For example, for
those who want to purchase the birthstone for June, Alexandrite or
Pearl may be chosen. Pearls are a classic choice, while genuine
Alexandrite - a color-change stone, is expensive and rare. In
response to the costs associated with Alexandrite, some manufacturers
have selected their own stone to represent the month of June,
including Green Tourmaline to represent the green color of
Alexandrite; the Garnet for its color-change quality; and Smokey
Quartz or Pink Tourmaline.
When choosing a
birthstone, keep in mind that the four C's of diamond buying apply to
colored gemstones as well: Carats, Cut, Color and Clarity. Birthstone
gems are graded and priced on those four qualities, as well as: place
of origin, availability/rarity, possible treatments and current
fashion. It is not unusual for a particular birthstone to suddenly
rise in value because it is currently in vogue to wear it. Also, the
type of gemstone selected dictates the care they require. Some
genuine stones have excellent durability, while others require more
care. For instance, rubies and sapphires are considered a good choice
for everyday wear while an opal or pearl require careful handling.
Taking time to understand how to select and care for your gemstones
can lead to enjoyment of these treasures for years to come. |