Even if you know very little about jewelry, you know that your birth month has a gemstone associated with it! Sometimes, we like that gemstone, and sometimes, we don’t, but it is fun seeing what gemstone combination your family has together. Traditionally, women have worn Mother’s Rings or Grandmother’s Rings with each of her family’s birthstones to remind her of the most important people in her life, but necklaces have become a popular alternative. So, where did birthstone tradition come from? Let’s explore!
Western traditions peg the idea of birthstones to have a religious history. Both the Torah (Jewish) and the Book of Exodus (Christian) describe Aaron the Priest wearing a Breastplate to communicate with God. This breastplate is described as having 12 gemstones to represent the 12 tribes of Israel. In the 8th and 9th century, the practice became for Christians to collect all twelve stones which came to represent the twelve apostles and wear one each month. It wasn’t until the 18th century in Poland that wearing a gemstone to represent your birth month became practice, but gemstones were hardly agreed on! Finally, in 1912, the American National Jewelers Association compiled a birthstone list which has later been updated in 1952, 2002, and 2016 by other organizations.
Eastern traditions associate gemstones with celestial bodies and astrology. In Sanskrit, the Navaratna are nine gemstones that represent the planets, sun, and moon. Wearing your birthstone is said to help ward off potential problems throughout your life. Currently, each Zodiac sign has a gemstone representation.
So, what are the Birthstones?
· January – Garnet
· February – Amethyst
· March – Aquamarine and Bloodstone
· April – Diamond
· May – Emerald
· June – Pearl, Moonstone, and Alexandrite
· July – Ruby
· August – Peridot (the “t” is silent) and Spinel
· September – Sapphire (you know from last weeks blog, that Sapphire comes in a rainbow of colors www.angelacisneros.com/post/who-are-you )
· October – Opal and Pink Tourmaline
· November – Topaz and Citrine
· December - Zircon, Tanzanite, and Turquoise
Birthstones are a fun way to explore the different gemstones and make it easy to pick out a birthday gift. Although, you aren’t married to your birthstone, you have permission to wear any gemstone you love! If you are a diamond gal, by all means wear your diamonds!
I would love to help you with your special purchase or custom design! Angela Cisneros Jewelry Concierge brings back the joy and confidence of jewelry shopping, so that you can celebrate with ease! My by-appointment approach means:
One-on-one appointments (personal attention and no crowds!)
Discretion and privacy (surprises remain surprises!)
Expert help from a Graduate Gemologist with 23 years of experience (yep, that’s me!)
Book your FREE consultation with me today! www.angelacisneros.com/book-appointment
*P.S. The ring pictured has a Tsavorite Garnet in the center and natural diamonds as the accents! I helped my client design a beautiful ring to go with her beautiful gemstone!