Many people talk about their birthstones or have a birthstone in a piece of jewelry. Some don’t know a thing about birthstones and don’t know what their own is. I have always loved my birthstone. My favorite color is blue which matches so I take great enjoyment in wearing my specific stone. On my 16th birthday, my amazing mother surprised me with a beautiful star sapphire ring and I have it to this day. Gorgeous doesn’t even begin to describe it! Having a nice piece of jewelry gifted to you by a beloved family member is all well and good but it also got me thinking. When one gets right down to it, where did the concept of a birthstone even come from? Why did we all of a sudden begin associating stones with months and why these particular stones? I’m a nerd and I love researching the why of things and that is where this post was born.
A birthstone is a gemstone that represents a person’s period of birth, which is usually the month or zodiac sign. Birthstones are often worn as jewelry or as a pendant necklace. Your birthstone is determined by your birth month and zodiac sign. Traditionally, each month was associated with only one gemstone; however, some months now have multiple Birthstones.
Birthstones are an accepted and cherished tradition. Although typically gifted for birthdays and anniversaries, they’re a beautiful present for any occasion. Rooted in history, each birthstone possesses unique properties and according to some experts, specific powers.
The first-century historian, priest, and theologian, Flavius Josephus, discovered the concept of birthstones while studying The Book of Exodus. In Exodus, Moses’ older brother and prophet, Aaron, had a breastplate that he used to communicate with God. This breastplate was said to be adorned with 12 unique gemstones and was a religious garment with specific symbolism regarding the tribes. It is believed the stones were as follows: raw carnelian, chrysolite, emerald, turquoise, sapphire, amethyst, jacinth, agate, crystal (quartz), raw beryl, lapis lazuli, and jasper but we cannot be absolutely sure as the stones were listed by color, and not by name.
Recreation of the high priest’s breastplate in front of the central Sephardic synagogue in Ramat Gan, Israel (Wikipedia)
Josephus believed there was a connection between the twelve stones in Aaron’s breastplate (signifying the tribes of Israel, as described in the Book of Exodus), the twelve months of the year, and the twelve signs of the zodiac. Each of these stones were believed to have protective and healing properties, but their connections with months and zodiac signs did not exist until Josephus identified them in such a way. Along with this came the belief that each stone’s powers were amplified during the month it was assigned.
People around the world started wearing birthstone jewelry around the 8th or 9th centuries, though many of these gems were strictly reserved for royals. During this time, religious treaties were written associating particular stones with apostles. It was written so that their name would be inscribed on the Foundation Stones, and his virtue. Practice became to keep twelve stones and wear one a month. Although birthstones have religious origins, modern day tradition dictates that the stones are assigned according to birth month. It wasn’t until the 18th century that gemstones began to be assigned according to birth month. The custom of wearing a single birthstone is only a few centuries old, though modern authorities differ on dates. Kunz places the custom in eighteenth-century Poland, while the Gemological Institute of America starts it in Germany in the 1560s.
Throughout history, accepted birthstones have rotated in and out, with style and availability sometimes determining which stones rein. In 1912, the National Association of Jewelers defined the modern day list of birthstones and the list has remained unchanged. These stones are what we recognize as the traditional birthstones. Since then, stones have been added as alternative stones to some months. In 1952, alexandrite, tourmaline, zircon and citrine were added. 2002 brought tanzanite and 2016 added spinel.
Today, there are three separate lists of birthstones for each month: ancient, traditional, and modern. Gemstones on the “ancient” list have been widely recognized and used for thousands of years, while stones on the “traditional” list have been available for use for the past 500 years. The “modern” list of birthstones boasts gems that have only been widely available for the past 100 or so years. Many of the lists possess gems that overlap between “ancient” and “modern.”
Although birthstones are no longer widely believed to have religious significance, some experts claim the stones do possess healing powers. In fact, Opal, the birthstone for October, is said to hold powers of invisibility and protection from spiritual breakdown. In addition to specific powers, there are long-standing superstitions regarding birthstones. For example, a bracelet with birthstones will supposedly bring the wearer different gifts depending on where it is worn. Worn on the left wrist, a birthstone bracelet is said to promote openness; worn on the right wrist, the birthstone will bring self-confidence. Whether you believe in the superstitions or merely enjoy having a stone that is all your own, birthstones are a classic way to express individuality.
The Hindus were developing their own system in India around the 5th century with a text called the Ratna Pariksha. This text identified nine gems called Navaratna, meaning nine gems in Sanskrit. These gems were associated with days of the week, Gods, and celestial bodies. The nine gems were: ruby, pearl, coral, emerald, yellow sapphire, diamond, blue sapphire, hessonite and cat’s eye. It was believed wearing stones that best fit your astrological chart would place you in harmony with the universe and protect against negative cosmic forces.
| Sign | Dates | Stone |
| Aries | 21 March – 19 April | bloodstone |
| Taurus | 20 April – 20 May | sapphire |
| Gemini | 21 May – 20 June | agate |
| Cancer | 21 June – 22 July | emerald |
| Leo | 23 July – 22 August | onyx |
| Virgo | 23 August – 22 September | carnelian |
| Libra | 23 September – 22 October | chrysolite |
| Scorpio | 23 October – 21 November | beryl |
| Sagittarius | 22 November – 21 December | topaz |
| Capricorn | 22 December – 19 January | ruby |
| Aquarius | 20 January – 18 February | garnet |
| Pisces | 19 February – 20 March | amethyst |
| Day of the Week | Stone(s) |
| Sunday | topaz, diamond |
| Monday | pearl, crystal |
| Tuesday | ruby, emerald |
| Wednesday | amethyst, lodestone |
| Thursday | sapphire, carnelian |
| Friday | emerald, cat’s eye |
| Saturday | turquoise, diamond |
What do you guys think of your birthstone? Do you have any unique jewelry or pieces made with them? Leave a comment below!
Sources: Mark Schneider Fine Jewelry Blog, Wikipedia, Farmer’s Almanac
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