Newsletter - January 14, 2009

The Jewelry Crafter

A newsletter for the home jeweler

This newsletter will be published every 2 weeks, and will include hints and tips for your jewelry business. Any feedback or comments about the topics presented here are always appreciated. Click here to e-mail us.

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A Short History of Birthstones

by

Mary Harvey

When you think of a birthstone, you typically think of the traditional or modern charts that list which stone goes with which month. But where did these charts come from? What determines which stone goes with which month? In this issue, we will go a little bit into the history of the birthstone.

Most gem scholars will agree that the tradition of birthstones came about in Biblical times. Exodus 39 details that Aaron wore a breastplate on which twelve stones were set. The stones represented the twelve tribes of Israel.  Revelation 21 lists the lists the twelve foundation stones of the new Jerusalem, in the order of the Roman calendar. These twelve stones also represented the twelve tribes of Israel, along with the twelve months, and the twelve signs of the zodiac. The twelve gemstones have also been associated with the Twelve Apostles.

The custom of wearing birthstones became popular in the fifteenth or sixteenth century. It was said that each birthstone represented a different magical power, so it became fashionable to own each of the 12 stones. Since each stone supposedly was the most powerful during it’s specific month, the stones were rotated throughout the year. For those who couldn’t afford all twelve stones, it became customary to wear the stone of the person’s birth month.

There are many, many different birthstone charts, including modern, Zodiac, and Ancient Traditional, which includes Roman, Hebrew, Arabic, Hindu and Polish. In addition to birthstones, there are also gems that represent the day your were born, and different anniversaries. You can view these charts here.

In 1912, the Jewelers of America, the national association of jewelers, adopted the modern list of birthstones that is used today. In 2002, the American Gem Trade Association added Tanzanite to the official list as an alternate for December.