Editor’s note: This is a series of articles about birthstones – the gems associated with the months of the year. The author, Ray Lundin, is a Lakewood resident and has worked in the Colorado casinos for 15 years. He is a certified gemologist, one “licensed” by schooling and testing to identify gems and minerals. He has been in the opal mines of Andamooka, Australia, was an officer in gem and mineral clubs in California and Colorado, was the superintendent of the Gem and Mineral Building at the Ventura County Fair in California for 10 years, and was the president of the Colorado Federation of Gem and Mineral Societies for five years. In 2012, articles about each month’s birthstone will be presented along with the history, legends and other information concerning that particular birthstone.
By Ray Lundin - Gemologist
Do you know your birthstone? For early man, gems were more than colorful adornments. Early man believed gems possessed magical qualities and repelled evil spirits. Such are the legends associated with birthstones. Their history is as colorful as their colors and as varied as their names. Their names are associated with certain months. What stone goes with what month? What is your birthstone? You’re about to find out. This is a series of articles explaining the background and legends surrounding birthstones.
In spite of early evidence on the importance of precious stones influencing the destiny of individuals, there is no proof they were worn as birthstones until a comparatively late date. In fact, the custom seems to have started in Germany, others say in Poland, about 1562. This may not be entirely correct, however, since the idea can be found in ancient writings.
According to the Bible, when the Israelites erected their Tabernacle in the Wilderness, the Lord gave Moses explicit rules for making the Vestments of Aaron, the brother of Moses and the High Priest of Israel. The most interesting portion of the vestments was the Breastplate of Judgment set with 12 precious stones, each engraved with the name of one of the 12 tribes of Israel. Unfortunately, it is difficult for contemporary translators to determine a certain or absolute interpretation of which modern gemstone name equates to the ancient biblical descriptions of the stones of the high priest’s breastplate. Therefore, the list of gems used varies dependent on the translation that is cited. The New International Version list the 12 stones as ruby, topaz, beryl, turquoise, sapphire, emerald, jacinth, agate, amethyst, chrysolite, onyx and jasper. (Note the number 12 association in this article.)
During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the study of astrology became very popular. Certain jewels were considered lucky or unlucky for each person, so the astrologer recommended one or more stones to an individual and warned others against wearing them. Pearls were considered unlucky for Elizabeth of England and Mary Queen of Scots. Ruby was a lucky stone for Henry VIII, according to his horoscope.
Certain stones soon became associated with certain times of the year. The traditional list was based on the Foundation Stones of the New Testament. The Foundation Stones, in turn, can be traced to the stones of the High Priest’s Breastplate.
Early man wore gems not only for his personal adornment, but because he believed they possessed magical qualities and thus served to ward off evil influences. As civilization advanced, certain gems were associated with the religion and customs of the time. Certain gems were associated with the 12 tribes of Israel, 12 signs of the zodiac, the planets, 12 guardian angels, 12 apostles, and many customs and religions of different countries.
The Jewelry Association of the United States gathered all the information about birthstones from all over the world and presented a list in 1938. In 1952, the Jewelry Industrial Council revised the list so that it would reflect the stones most popular for those months and provide a standard, uniform list that everyone could use to associate a gemstone with their month of birth. The birthstones for each month are as follows:
January – Garnet
February – Amethyst
March – Aquamarine or bloodstone
April – Diamond
May – Emerald
June – Pearl, moonstone or alexandrite
July – Ruby
August – Peridot or sardonyx
September – Sapphire
October – Opal or pink tourmaline
November – Topaz or topaz quartz
December – Turquoise or zircon
