Many cultures have connected various precious and semi-precious gems with our dates of birth. We call these special gems birthstones, and the history of birthstones stretches as far back as the first century B.C. when Josephus, a Jewish scholar, wrote about the connection between the twelve stones in the sacred breastplate belonging to the High Priest of the Israelites. He connected these 12 stones with the 12 Tribes of Israel and ultimately our modern Gregorian calendar. However, the stones in this ornamental breastplate have little to do with the stones we associate with each month today.
Many scholars believe that the stones we use as birthstones are based on traditions that may have come from Poland or perhaps Germany sometime around the 16th century. Eventually, jewelers began creating birthstone jewelry, which became highly popular and was even featured in advertisements during the 19th century. In 1912, a meeting of the National Association of Jewelers led to an official list of birthstones corresponding to specific months. This list is quite similar to one later established in the United Kingdom and also is surprisingly similar to Hindu birthstones. For instance, the diamond is the birthstone for April in all three cultures, and the pearl is the stone for June.
There has always been a great deal of mysticism and lore surrounding gems, including the stones that are commonly birthstones. For instance, if you were born in August, your stone is a delicate green gem called the peridot. It was believed by ancient people that the peridot could help heal an assortment of serious ailments, including diseases of the liver. In addition, it was said to keep one from feeling "green with envy." Perhaps the peridot was selected as a repellent of envy due to its hue, as associating green with envy dates back many hundreds of years and was featured in at least two of Shakespeare's plays, most notably in "Othello."
Just about every birthstone and gem has a legend surrounding it, including November's gem, the citrine. Some ancient people believed that if you placed a citrine on your forehead, it would improve your psychic abilities. The citrine also was felt to enhance creativity and ward off negative energy and increase self-esteem. January's gem, the garnet, was said to fight off depression and promote good health. Soldiers fighting in the Crusades sometimes wore garnets because they believe that it was a good luck charm that ensured battlefield victories as well as preventing personal injury.
Some months have only one single gem associated with them, but others have as many as four. If you were born in January, the garnet is the only stone for your month, and those in February, May and August also only have one stone each, the amethyst, the emerald and the peridot, respectively. June, on the other hand, has four stones: pearl, moonstone and two types of alexandrite. December has blue zircon, topaz, turquoise and sometimes tanzanite for its possible birthstone options.
There are many different jewelry options for those who wish to purchase an item with a birthstone. You can find necklaces, belly rings, earrings, vintage jewelry and much more featuring birthstones and they are always excellent gifts, especially for birthdays. One special Mother's day gift would be to present your mom with a mother's ring, featuring the birthstones of each of her children.
Many scholars believe that the stones we use as birthstones are based on traditions that may have come from Poland or perhaps Germany sometime around the 16th century. Eventually, jewelers began creating birthstone jewelry, which became highly popular and was even featured in advertisements during the 19th century. In 1912, a meeting of the National Association of Jewelers led to an official list of birthstones corresponding to specific months. This list is quite similar to one later established in the United Kingdom and also is surprisingly similar to Hindu birthstones. For instance, the diamond is the birthstone for April in all three cultures, and the pearl is the stone for June.
There has always been a great deal of mysticism and lore surrounding gems, including the stones that are commonly birthstones. For instance, if you were born in August, your stone is a delicate green gem called the peridot. It was believed by ancient people that the peridot could help heal an assortment of serious ailments, including diseases of the liver. In addition, it was said to keep one from feeling "green with envy." Perhaps the peridot was selected as a repellent of envy due to its hue, as associating green with envy dates back many hundreds of years and was featured in at least two of Shakespeare's plays, most notably in "Othello."
Just about every birthstone and gem has a legend surrounding it, including November's gem, the citrine. Some ancient people believed that if you placed a citrine on your forehead, it would improve your psychic abilities. The citrine also was felt to enhance creativity and ward off negative energy and increase self-esteem. January's gem, the garnet, was said to fight off depression and promote good health. Soldiers fighting in the Crusades sometimes wore garnets because they believe that it was a good luck charm that ensured battlefield victories as well as preventing personal injury.
Some months have only one single gem associated with them, but others have as many as four. If you were born in January, the garnet is the only stone for your month, and those in February, May and August also only have one stone each, the amethyst, the emerald and the peridot, respectively. June, on the other hand, has four stones: pearl, moonstone and two types of alexandrite. December has blue zircon, topaz, turquoise and sometimes tanzanite for its possible birthstone options.
There are many different jewelry options for those who wish to purchase an item with a birthstone. You can find necklaces, belly rings, earrings, vintage jewelry and much more featuring birthstones and they are always excellent gifts, especially for birthdays. One special Mother's day gift would be to present your mom with a mother's ring, featuring the birthstones of each of her children.
About the Author:
Stefanie Flenner enjoys jewelry shopping. For more info about the best online store for costume fashion jewelry or to find other fashion jewelry collections like rhinestone necklace sets, please visit the GlitterJewelry4u.com site today.
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