One or more of the most stunning gemstones in the world represent each of the 12 months of the year, and each of these birthstones is associated with a certain month of the year, making them perfect birthday presents. But where did the idea of birthstones originate from, and what characteristics are attached to them?
It appears that the Bible is where birthstones got their start. According to Exodus 28, Moses gave specific clothing instructions for Aaron, the Hebrew people’s High Priest. There was a breastplate among them, with the twelve tribes of Israel symbolized by twelve diamonds. Emerald, sapphire, diamond, topaz, carbuncle, sardius, agate, ligure, amethyst, onyx, jasper, and beryl were among the twelve gems.
Later, between 1 and 5 AD, the stones were linked to the zodiacal signs, and in the 18th century, Polish gem traders linked each stone to a person’s birth month. The American National Association of Jewelers established an official list of birthstones in 1912, and despite occasional adjustments throughout the years, this list is still in use today.
In This Article...
What stone was my birthstone?
A birthstone is simply a gemstone that is linked to a person’s date of birth. Wearing a birthstone is thought to bring luck and good health. Depending on their connection to the planets, several gemstones are thought to possess supernatural abilities. Many societies used to associate a particular gemstone with births occurring during each sign of the zodiac, but throughout time, this custom was changed to correspond with calendar months.
Birthstones have their origins in ancient astrology, and over time, several different lists of birthstones have been employed. The one that is most widely used now is based on a list that the US jewelry industry initially made public in the 1950s.
According to calendar months, birthstones are categorized as follows:
January BirthstoneGarnet
This stone is thought to protect its wearer from harm. A garnet also represents unwavering loyalty and friendship. This stone has a long history of being connected to blood purification and is thought to ward off food poisoning, snake bites, and hemorrhaging.
March BirthstoneAquamarine
This gemstone was thought to protect seafarers and ensure a safe journey. The calming hue of aquamarine is thought to soothe the temper, enabling the wearer to maintain composure and objectivity. Additionally, it is thought that this stone delays the effects of aging.
May BirthstoneEmerald
This stone symbolizes rebirth, and those who wear it are said to receive wisdom, luck, and youth. Some people think that wearing an emerald will grant them patience, progress, and wisdom. Furthermore, it is renowned for its capacity to convey deep love.
July BirthstoneRuby
Rubies are thought to ensure health, intelligence, fortune, and success in love. They also excite the senses and the imagination. Ruby is thought to make the wearer intelligent and provide protection from all kinds of misfortunes.
August BirthstonePeridot
According to legend, peridot possesses magical abilities and healing qualities that can ward off nightmares and grant the wearer strength, influence, and a happy year. Additionally, this diamond was worn to ward off evil spirits.
September BirthstoneSapphire
The wearer of sapphire and their loved ones are shielded from harm and enmity. Priests in antiquity thought sapphires were able to foretell the future. The gem is linked to contentment and calm.
October BirthstoneOpal
Through the ages, opal has stood for optimism, innocence, and purity. It was said that wearing it would improve the wearer’s vision. Additionally, it was believed to drive away evil spirits and to favor kids, entertainment, friendships, and emotions.
November BirthstoneCitrine
The wearer’s hope, enthusiasm, and warmth are supposed to be encouraged and guided by this golden gemstone, which is also said to boost vitality and health. Citrines have also been employed as a talisman against the plague, bad skin, and evil thoughts, as well as an antidote for snake poison. They are thought to facilitate digestion and help the body get rid of impurities.
December BirthstoneTurquoise
This gemstone is said to bring happiness and luck to the wearer. Turquoise was a hue that Native Americans connected to the blue sky and the green ground.
Birthstones based on the Zodiac?
It’s uncertain exactly when the Zodiac Signs were introduced.
Although the use of the zodiac in some form dates back to before the Babylonians and Sumerians, it was they who created the first elaborate zodiac system.
Our current zodiac signs are listed on a pre-Islamic Persian tablet that is housed in the British Museum in London.
Since ancient times, precious and semiprecious stones have been linked to the twelve signs of the zodiac because people have believed that they have magical characteristics.
The abilities of the stones were said to be enhanced while that constellation was in the night sky.
People therefore thought that adorning the stone of your zodiac sign might enhance the influences of such qualities and abilities.
From this list, Birthstones eventually developed.
Zodiac birthstones are attributed to the zodiac sign, whereas birthstones are assigned to the month of birth, despite similarities between the two lists.
What colors represent the zodiac signs?
Certain colors can bring out a quality in you that helps you genuinely shine since colors transmit energy. They can do so much more, including boost strength, calm restless energy, and boost confidence. See which color most strongly accentuates the characteristics of YOUR zodiac sign by reading on!
Aries color: Red
Red awakens Aries’ soul and energizes their passion, drive, and initiative. Its associations with excitement and assertiveness promote Aries’ drive for action and zest for life. Aries is a sign that doesn’t want to be overlooked, and red demands attention. It therefore comes as no surprise that Mars, the planet that rules Aries, is referred to as “The Red Planet.” The more reds an Aries is surrounded with, the more powerful their innate abilities might be.
Get a FREE Birth Chart to reveal other traits that are particular to your sign. A birth chart can reveal additional characteristics specific to YOUR sign. Reading
Are there two birthstones for each month?
Although each month has a single birthstone traditionally, certain months have numerous birthstones. This fact does cause some confusion, but the variety of possibilities for some months was developed to give customers a choice of less expensive selections in addition to the more typical, pricey stones.
What birthstone has the rarest stone?
While some birthstones are more accessible than others, precious gemstones in particular are thought to be relatively scarce. However, given that some really expensive stones are not all that rare and vice versa, price tags can be deceiving when it comes to rarity. For instance, although expensive, April’s diamond is less rare than rubies, emeralds, and alexandrite. Speaking of alexandrite, it is now the most expensive and rarest gemstone on the list of birthstones. Additionally extremely rare, black opals are.
Birthstones provide an intriguing way to select jewelry. They enable people to investigate jewels that they might otherwise avoid. However, birthstones are not always what people think they are, so make sure you are buying birthstone jewelry for the right reasons while making your selection.
Why are birthstones assigned to zodiac signs?
Ancient cultures had the custom of wearing birthstones. It was a prevalent belief that particular stones had magical properties that may enhance the wearer’s health, luck, or prosperity. The stones that were associated with a certain month do not always correspond to the list of birthstones that we have today since people in ancient times classed powerful stones by color and did not differentiate, for example, between rubies and garnets.
Who is the zodiac’s mother?
The mother of the zodiac and the sign ruled by the Moon is Cancer. Women that are Cancer are very emotional, loving, and kind. They have strong maternal instincts that set them apart from other mothers and are filled with strong values of love and care.
What are the colors of the Zodiac?
The Power Color of Your Zodiac Sign and How to Use It
- 12th sign of Aquarius: Blue. Using Stocksy, Leah Flores.
- Pisces: Seafoam Green, 02 of 12. Ume Illustrations/Getty Images.
- 12.3, Aries: Red.
- Taurus: Green, number 4 of 12.
- Gemini: Yellow, number 5 of 12.
- 06 of 12. Silver for cancer.
- 07 of 12. Orange for Leo.
- Brown, number 8 of 12 Virgo.