Birthstones
The tradition of birthstones has been traced all the way back to the times of Moses. Moses ordered that the high priest’s breast plate was adorned with twelve coloured stones, one stone to represent each of the twelve tribes of Israel. Once this was instated the general populace began collecting such stones, wanting to own a full set like the high priest. In time people started setting each stone into different pieces of jewellery, changing their jewellery each month in correspondence to the stone. As time went on people started favouring the stone that represented the month they were born in, starting the tradition of birthstones.
There are a few different classifications of birthstones, the four most popular being Ayurvedic, Mystical, Traditional, and modern. Ayurvedic birthstones originate from the India practice of medicine which is often referred to in its direct translation as the knowledge of life. Their practices were a mix of both science and a little mystic art. The Ayurvedic birthstones and their months are as follows; January-garnet, February-amethyst, March-bloodstone, April-diamond, May-agate, June-pearl, July-ruby, August-sapphire, September-moonstone, October-opal, November-topaz, December-ruby.
The mystical birthstones originate from a Tibetan book that’s over a thousand years old. According to these legends wearing your birthstone will help you to overcome obstacles within your life. The mystical birthstones and their months are as follows; January-emerald, February-bloodstone, March-jade, April-opal, May-sapphire, June-moonstone, July-ruby, August-diamond, September-agate, October-jasper, November-pearl, December-onyx.
The traditional birthstones are taken from the list of ancient birthstones during the 15th century, but have also bent with society’s fashion trends to form its own list. The traditional birthstones and their months are as follows; January-garnet, February-amethyst, March-bloodstone, April-diamond, May-emerald, June-alexandrite, July-ruby, August-sardonyx, September-sapphire, October-tourmaline, November-citrine, December-zircon-lapis lazuli.
The modern birthstones were adopted in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers, with the exception of Tanzanite which was added as an additional birthstone for December in October 2002. This is the list of birthstones that most jewellers reference. The modern birthstones along with their months are as follows; January-garnet, February-amethyst, March-aquamarine, April-diamond, May-emerald, June-pearl-moonstone, July-ruby, August-peridot, September-sapphire, October-opal-tourmaline, November-yellow topaz-citrine, December-turquoise-blue topaz-tanzanite.
Each stone serves as a symbol for a certain month, but was also believed to have certain mystical powers, able to ward off evil and protect the wearer from certain obstacles in life. Below is a list of each gemstone and what it is surgested to aid with.
Agate- This gemstone was thought to quench thirst and protect people from fevers.
Alexandrite- This gem is quite rare and changes its colour from green to red in darker lighting.
Amethyst- This gem is said to prevent intoxication, expel poison, quicken the wits, protect soldiers, and cure gout.
Wearing an Aquamarine ring was said to prevent spasms, convulsions, and liver ailments.
Bloodstone- This gem was often carried by soldiers because it was thought to offer protection, inspire courage and stop bleeding.
Carnelian- This gem was thought to protect against fear, envy and rage.
Citrine- This gem was said to protect against snake venom and evil thoughts.
Diamond rings were worn as a symbol of innocence, justice, faith and strength. Diamond was also believed to ward off poison.
Garnet- This gem was used to slow bleeding, cure blood diseases and dissolve tartar.
Jade- This gem was believed to protect the body from decay.
Moonstone- This gem was thought to ward off cancers and arouse tender passions.
Opal rings were worn to cure eye diseases, infections, heart diseases, and malignancies.
Wearing a Pearl ring was thought to cure ulcers, headaches and impotence.
Peridot- This gem was thought to ward off evil and was often used to cure nightmares.
Ruby rings were often worn as they thought to ward off plagues, drive away sadness and restrain lust.
Sapphire rings were worn to cure eye ailments, purify the blood and fortify the heart.
Sardonyx- This gem was thought to be a cure for snakebites and other poisons.
Topaz- This gem was thought to calm anger and guard against envy.
Tourmaline- This gem was thought to strengthen teeth and bones.
Turquoise- This gem was often worn as a love charm and was considered an all around good luck charm.
Zircorn- This gem was worn to cure insomnia, it was also thought to protect against plague and other light wounds.
