The History of Birthstones
What is the origin of birthstones?
Birthstones can be traced back to biblical and hindu roots. Throughout time humans have harnessed the power of gemstones for various reasons. Most of the story is rooted in history of lore, some of the history is raw commercialism. For better or worse - here is the story of birthstones.
Biblical Roots
The origins of this tradition can be traced back to biblical times and the Book of Exodus. It describes the breastplate worn by Aaron, the first high priest of the Israelites, which was to be worn by all future high priests. The breastplate was adorned with 12 different stones, each representing one of the 12 tribes of Israel. These stones were said to have possessed great powers and had the ability to tell people their fate. According to first-century translations, the first row contained carnelian, chrysolite, and beryl. The second row contained jacinth, agate, and amethyst, and the third row contained topaz, onyx, and jasper. The naming of minerals at the time was dependent on color rather than chemical composition, so it is difficult to determine which gems were actually used. For example, chrysolite was used to describe gems with flecks of gold, which could have included topaz or peridot.
St Jerome 5th Century
It wasn’t until the first century, around 500 years after Aaron’s breastplate was described in the Book of Exodus, where the historian Joseph believed there to be a connection between the 12 stones in Aaron’s breastplate, the 12 months of the year, and the 12 zodiac signs. Historian St. Jerome, referencing Joseph, began to encourage the use of these stones by Christians in the 5th century. This established a tradition that would last for centuries, in which people would collect all of the 12 stones to wear at one time in extravagant belts, bracelets, and other ornaments. By the 8th and 9th centuries, this trend evolved to where people would own a collection of all of the jewels but only wear a single stone during a given month, where it was believed to have heightened powers.
18th Century Poland and Germany
In the eighth and ninth century, religious treatises associating a particular stone with an apostle were written, so that "their name would be inscribed on the Foundation Stones, and his virtue.": 299 Practice became to keep twelve stones and wear one a month.: 298 The custom of wearing a single birthstone is only a few centuries old, though modern authorities differ on dates. Kunz places the custom in eighteenth century Poland, while the Gemological Institute of America starts it in Germany in the 1560s
Hindu Roots
The tradition of stones representing your birth month with mystical powers can also be found in Hindu traditions, most likely influencing customs in the west as well. The Ratna Pariksha, a 5th-century Hindu text, chronicles the relationships between gemstones and deities, celestial bodies, and days of the week. Hindu practices associate nine gemstones with the different celestial forces, called navaratna in Sanskrit. Jewelry in this style always centers bright red ruby or spinel, surrounding it with the rest of the gems on either side. These pieces are believed to grant the wearer a cosmic harmony, as well as stand as a symbol of status and wealth. Certain individual stones are then recommended by Vedic astrologers based on astrological birth charts to harness the power of certain planets or ward off the harm of others. For example, in Hinduism there are nine gemstones associated with the Navagraha (celestial forces including the planets, the sun, and the moon), known in Sanskrit as Navaratna (nine gems). At birth, an astrological chart is calculated, and certain stones are recommended to be worn on the body to ward off potential problems based on the place of these forces in the sky at the exact place and time of birth.
Modern Traditions
1870 Tiffanys
In 1870, jeweler Tiffany & Co. published a pamphlet of anonymous Gregorian birthstone poems, which were likely written long before this publication. There was a short poem for each month, associating that month with a specific gem. Each poem offered a clear link to a gem, such as this one for February:
"The February-born shall find sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care, if they an amethyst will wear."
This may be the first official listing of modern birthstones and their months, although if you look at the chart below, you will note that some months have a different birthstone than they have today.
1912
In 1870, jeweler Tiffany & Co. published a pamphlet of anonymous Gregorian birthstone poems, which were likely written long before this publication. There was a short poem for each month, associating that month with a specific gem. Each poem offered a clear link to a gem, such as this one for February:
"The February-born shall find sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care, if they an amethyst will wear."
This may be the first official listing of modern birthstones and their months, although if you look at the chart below, you will note that some months have a different birthstone than they have today.
What is my birthstone?
Western Birthstones by Time
| Month | 15th-20th Century | 1912 | 2013 |
| January | garnet | garnet | garnet |
| February | amethyst, hyacinth (zircon) , pearl | amethyst | amethyst |
| March | bloodstone, jasper | aquamarine, bloodstone | aquamarine, bloodstone |
| April | diamond, sapphire | diamond | diamond, rock crystal |
| May | emerald, agate | emerald | emerald, chrysoprase |
| June | cat's eye, turquoise, agate |
pearl, moonstone |
pearl, moonstone, alexandrite |
| July | turquoise, onyx | ruby | ruby, carnelian |
| August |
sardonyx (onyx), carnelian, moonstone, topaz |
peridot, sardonyx (onyx) | peridot, spinel |
| September | chrysolite (peridot) | sapphire | sapphire, lapis lazuli |
| October | opal, aquamarine | opal, tourmaline | opal, tourmaline |
| November | topaz, pearl | topaz | topaz, citrine |
| December | bloodstone, ruby | turquoise, lapis lazuli | turquoise, zircon, tanzanite |
Zodiac Birthstones
| Sign | Dates | Stone |
| Aquarius | 20 January – 18 February | garnet |
| Pisces |
19 February – 20 March |
amethyst |
| Aries | 21 March – 19 April | bloodstone |
| Taurus | 20 April – 20 May | sapphire |
| Gemini | 21 May – 20 June | agate |
| Cancer |
21 June – 22 July |
emerald |
| Leo | 23 July – 22 August | onyx |
| Virgo |
23 August – 22 September |
carnelian |
| Libra | 23 September – 22 October | peridot |
| Scorpio | 23 October – 21 November | aquamarine, emerald |
| Sagittarius |
22 November – 21 December |
topaz |
| Capricorn | 22 December – 19 January | ruby |
Birthday Day of the Week Birthstones
These stones are determines by the day you were born on.
| Day of the Week | Stones (s) |
| Sunday |
topaz, diamond |
| Monday |
pearl, crystal |
| Tuesday |
ruby, emerald |
| Wednesday |
amethyst, lodestone |
| Thursday | sapphire, carnelian |
| Friday | emerald, cat's eye |
| Saturday | turquoise, diamond |
Use our Design Your Own Jewelry Tool to create your own custom birthstone jewelry online ; show off birth months that are meaningful to you. It's easy - mix and match chains and gems to create your piece. Pop it into your cart - we will whisk your custom design to you within the week.
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About Birthstone Jewelry
JANUARY - GARNET
Cheers to the firecracker born in January. Our garnets are hand-selected for the perfect blood-red. Gifting Garnet is a symbol of love and desire to protect a loved one.
FEBRUARY - AMETHYST
For the lover of life born in February. Overcome difficulties with the symbolic protection and power of sparkling Amethyst. Once rare and reserved for royalty, a spiritual stone of higher thinking and self-empowerment, it is also a stone of strength and safety. It is a stone of prosperity and abundance, encouraging gratitude and service to others.
MARCH - AQUAMARINE
Fortune follows the lucky ones born in March. Aquamarine, symbolizes safety and security.
APRIL - DIAMOND, WHITE TOPAZ
For those born in April, who aren’t afraid to dance in the rain. Diamonds are for the hopeless romantics, a symbol of everlasting love.
MAY - EMERALD, CHRYSOPRASE
Beauty blossoms for those in May. Gift emeralds to bring her wisdom and patience.
JUNE - PEARL, ALEXANDRITE
The sun always shines on those born in June. Our pearls are loved for their elegance and beauty. Wear for a royal touch to the everyday.
JULY - RUBY
The free spirit of July knows how to sparkle. . Gift rubies to a July gal as a symbol of everlasting love.
AUGUST - PERIDOT
The one in August radiates warmth. Peridot is the traditional stone of August. Share the gift of vitality and the promise of growth ahead.
SEPTEMBER - SAPPHIRE, LONDON BLUE TOPAZ
For the September ones who see beauty in change. For the September gal, blue sapphire represents sincerity and faithfulness.
OCTOBER - PINK TOPAZ, TOURMALINE, OPAL
Magic follows the one born in October. Give her the gift of creativity with Pink Tourmaline.
NOVEMBER - CITRINE
A grateful heart for the one born in November. Citrine derives from the word “citrin”, which means lemon. Brighten her days with this sunny stone.
DECEMBER - SWISS BLUE TOPAZ
A festive glow follows the cheerful one born in December. Share blue topaz, the symbol of love to a gal born during the holiday season.
Birthstone Jewelry - Why to Give it & How to Buy it
Learn More Our Collection of Birthstone Jewelry
Birthstones have been around for centuries and are beautiful additions to every jewelry box – and make the perfect gifts! Shop our Birthstone Jewelry Collection and discover our take on your month’s stone. Did you know that birthstones are believed to hold power and symbolism? For example, Amethysts are associated with peace and stability, and Citrine is said to promote health and healing. Shop for a piece of birthstone jewelry that you, or your loved ones, are sure to cherish forever.
Celebrate your favorite birthdays with our birthstone colors. Birthstone-inspired jewelry has been around for centuries and makes a beautiful addition to every jewelry box – and makes the perfect gift! Our unique take on traditional birthstones, find birthstone necklaces, bracelets, and earrings in your month’s magical color.
Our collection of Birthstone Jewelry offers accessories for all styles! Celebrate your birthday with a necklace or earrings in your month’s stone. Love accessories that are custom to you? Use our Design Your Own Jewelry tool to design your own birthstone jewelry. Peruse our customizable necklaces each designed to show off birth months.