The tradition of associating certain gems with months on the calendar is by no means a new one, and birthstones were suggested as early as the First Century when a Jewish scholar named Josephus wrote about the 12 special stones placed upon the breastplate that was given to the Israelite's High Priest. Each of these stones, Josephus contended, represented a specific tribe of Israel. While the birthstones on this breastplate were not the same ones that we use today, the tradition seems to have begun around those times.
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.
For some people, their birth month includes several different choices of stones, but several months have only one stone that is considered official. In the U.S., January, February, April, May, July, August and September have but one birthstone. In Great Britain, only January, February and October have one choice. However, in the Hindu tradition, all months are associated with one single gemstone. June and December babies seem to have the most choices, especially in the U.S., where each of these months offers three lovely gems to consider.
If you wish to purchase a piece of jewelry that features a birthstone, there are many different options. These popular gems are placed in necklaces, bracelets, earrings and even unique items such as belly rings and nose rings. One special gift that many moms love is a mother's ring and this item features the birthstones of each child in the family.
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.
For some people, their birth month includes several different choices of stones, but several months have only one stone that is considered official. In the U.S., January, February, April, May, July, August and September have but one birthstone. In Great Britain, only January, February and October have one choice. However, in the Hindu tradition, all months are associated with one single gemstone. June and December babies seem to have the most choices, especially in the U.S., where each of these months offers three lovely gems to consider.
If you wish to purchase a piece of jewelry that features a birthstone, there are many different options. These popular gems are placed in necklaces, bracelets, earrings and even unique items such as belly rings and nose rings. One special gift that many moms love is a mother's ring and this item features the birthstones of each child in the family.
About the Author:
Stefanie Flenner loves jewelry shopping. For additional information about the best online store for costume fashion jewelry or to find other fashion jewelry collections such as rhinestone necklace sets, please check out the GlitterJewelry4u.com site now.
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