Beautiful Birthstones Making a Comeback
Birthstones are enjoying a comeback and whether you believe the myths and legends or just enjoy wearing personal jewellery, birthstone jewellery
You can get many types of jewellery containing birthstones, such as birthstone rings, birthstone pendants and birthstone earrings.
Modern birthstones are linked to calendar months, and each month has its own unique birthstone, with its own properties.
To this day many people still hold the age-old belief that birthstones hold special powers.
Today, birthstone jewellery is worn mainly by women.
Whatever the reason, wearing these beautiful gemstones brings joy.
In modern times, birthstone jewellery makes a perfect gift for any occasion; birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, prom and many more. An ideal gift for all occasions.
Giving someone an item of jewellery set with their birthstone is a touching and personal gift, whether it’s a birthstone ring, a birthstone pendant or a birthstone brooch, it is something that they are likely to treasure forever because its personal significance.
The History of Birthstones
Birthstones have been around since ancient times where they were believed to possess some magical force that could protect the owner or wearer of the stone.
Birthstones were traditionally linked to the Zodiac.
The history of birthstones dates back thousands of years.
The first description can be found in the Bible in the Book of Exodus. The story tells of the breastplate of Aaron which contained twelve gemstones. Each gemstone represented one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Breastplate on the front of the central Sephardic synagogue in Ramat Gan
Dr. Avishai Teicher Pikiwiki Israel / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)
Topaz, emerald, diamond, onyx, sardius, sapphire, jasper, carbuncle, ligure, agate, amethyst and beryl were set in three columns with four rows across.
In the first century AD, Flavius Josephus and later, St. Jerome in the fifth century AD both linked and wrote about each of the stones having special powers and associations with the twelve astrological signs when worn during the correct time during the year.
Ancient belief was that owning all twelve stones and wearing each one during the appropriate sign of the zodiac would unleash all powers of the particular gemstone to the wearer.
The Gregorian calendar, named after Pope Gregory XIII, was introduced in 1582.
The calendar contained poems written by an unknown author for each month.
In 1870 Tiffany & Co published the poems as an excellent marketing campaign to encourage buying birthstone jewellery.
By her who in January was born
No gem save Garnets shall be worn They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.
The February born shall find
Freedom from passion and from care,
Sincerity and peace of mind,
If they, the Amethyst will wear.
By her who in March was born
No gem save Bloodstone shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.
She who from April dates her years,
Diamonds shall wear,
lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow.
Who first beholds the light of day
In spring’s sweet, flower month of May
And wears an Emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and a loving wife.
By her who in June was born
No gem save Pearls shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.
The gleaming Ruby should adorn,
All those who in July are born,
For thus they’ll be exempt and free,
From lover’s doubts and anxiety.
Wear a Peridot or for thee,
No conjugal fidelity,
The August born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved; alone.
A maiden born when autumn leaves
Are rustling in September‘s breeze,
A Sapphire on her brow should bind;
To bring her joy and peace of mind.
October‘s child is born for woe,
And life’s vicissitudes must know,
But lay an Opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.
Who first comes to this world below
In dreary November‘s fog and snow,
Should prize the Topaz amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.
If cold December gave you birth
The month of snow and ice and mirth
Place on your hand a Turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate’er you do.
– Gregorian Birthstone Poems, author unknown
Wearing birthstone jewellery first became popular in the 18th century in Poland when gem traders arrived in the area.
The modern birthstone list did not come about until 1912, made by the National Association of Jewellers in the United States.
Since this list was created in 1912 it has not changed until recently when two attempts were made to try to add the tanzanite gemstone to December’s list.
Although December already has two stones representing it (zircon and turquoise) the American Gem Trade Association announced in 2002 that they had added tanzanite to December.
The Jewellers of America accepted the idea of helping increase the sales of birthstone jewellery.
During the 1960’s western society saw a rise in the popularity of birthstones.
Thanks to Flower Power, Hippies and their interest and experimentation of eastern philosophies where birthstone gemstones hold an important value.
Birthstones-What do they Mean?
Each birthstone symbolises certain associated characteristics when worn.
For example, Aprils’s birthstone diamond represents purity, innocence and eternal love.
Each month of the year is associated with one or more birthstones.
There is a good chance of you finding an ideal birthstone as most months have more than one birthstone.
Each birthstone is associated with myths, legends, beliefs and facts.
To this day many people strongly believe birthstones possess powers in healing, have therapeutic traits and other attributes.
It’s believed that not only your own birthstone has powers, but also, owning all birthstones and wearing them in the appropriate month allows the wearer all benefits.
Birthstones can either be precious stones or semi-precious.
They are worn for good health, luck, prosperity, and protection.
It is believed that when wearing them during the month that they are associated with, the birthstones have increased healing powers.
For example, if you were born in February, then your birthstone is amethyst. Therefore, you will benefit from wearing amethyst in February.
Birthstones come in a variety of sizes, cuts and colours.
Like all jewellery, the value is dictated by rarity, size, colour, clarity and carat weight.
Birthstones are used in rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants, brooches and bracelets.
Birthstone jewellery can be found in most department stores and online
Due to the popularity of birthstone jewellery, most retailers usually have a good selection of birthstone rings, pendants, earrings and other birthstone jewellery.
As mentioned above, birthstone jewellery makes a great gift for all occasions for all ages.
Inexpensive birthstone jewellery and gifts can be purchased for babies
Young girls
Birthstone jewellery, an excellent gift for women, can be found in many varieties of settings, gold, silver and platinum.
Birthstones used in making beautiful jewellery are precious or semiprecious gemstones, cut and polished from beautiful crystalline rocks or minerals.
Birthstone jewellery can be as precious as any other type of jewellery and passed on as heirlooms, cherished for their beauty, rarity and longevity.
The natural crystal structure determines the shape of a gemstone.
As with all gemstones, birthstones are cut into various shapes, ensuring the best reflection of light, adding brilliance to the polished stone which is then mounted into precious metals.
Find Your Birthstone
You now know about the history of birthstones but, what about your birthstone?
List of Birthstones