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.
Lewis Jewelers is proud to carry
the full line of Pandora Jewelry. Pandora bracelets, Pandora charms and
Pandora beads are only a part of the collection. For more
information, contact Lewis Jewelers, 2000 West Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor,
Michigan, 48103, 877-88-LEWIS or visit http://www.pandorabraceletsusa.com.
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