A Brief History of Birthday Gemstones

Birthstones, also known as birthday gemstones, have become a popular jewelry trend worldwide. Everyone from gem lovers to gift-givers invests in birthstones. But have you ever wondered when did the idea of birthstones come into existence? Find out about the history of birthday gemstones in this article.

What is a Birthstone?

A birthstone is a designated gemstone for people born in a particular month, irrespective of their gender or age. There can be one or more gemstones assigned as birthstones for a month. Each birthstone has its own history, legends and a set of attributes. Birthday gemstone are worn in rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings. People invest in birthstones for themselves or gifting purposes because of their beautiful colors and astrological powers. For instance, a loose sapphire gemstone is said to increase self-motivation.

History of Birthday Gemstones

The history of birthstones is very long and vast. Its roots can be traced to biblical times and are also associated with Hindu traditions. So, let’s learn about the biblical origins and Hindu roots of birthstones one by one.

Biblical Origins

Joseph, a historian of the first century, was the one who first believed that the 12 stones in the breastplate of Aaron are associated with the 12 months of the year and the 12 zodiac signs. The breastplate of Aaron was described in the Book of Exodus around 500 years before Joseph came up with this connection. It was created with 12 different stones, each of which represented the 12 tribes of Israel.

The connection between these 12 stones and the 12 months of the year was further encouraged in the 5th century by an early Christian historian, Jerome. The encouragement worked wonders in the minds of people as they began collecting all the 12 stones to wear in various ornaments, such as bracelets, belts, etc.

The idea of wearing the 12 stones is said to have evolved by the 8th and 9th centuries when people would not only own all these stones but also wear them in their designated months. They thought that wearing each stone in its corresponding astrological period would heighten its powers.

Gemstones Used in the Breastplate of Aaron

The gemstones used in the breastplate of Aaron can’t be determined because minerals were named based on their color rather than optical and chemical properties during that period. If first-century translations are to be believed, the first row of stones in the breastplate of Aaron contained carnelian, chrysolite and beryl. The second row was created with jacinth, agate and amethyst, and the third row contained topaz, onyx and jasper. All these stones were believed to be endowed with great powers. For instance, these stones were believed to tell people their fate. If your birthstone is ruby, you should get yourself a loose ruby stone.

Hindu Roots

The idea of birthstones also has roots that touch Hindu traditions. A 5th-century Hindu text, the Ratna Pariksha, describes the relationship of gemstones with the days of the week, deities and celestial bodies. Hindus associate nine gemstones with different celestial forces. These nine gemstones are called Navratna in Sanskrit. The Navratna jewelry features a ruby gemstone in the center, with all the other eight gemstones set in perfect symmetry on either side.

Ruby centers Navratna jewelry because this gemstone is related to the planet sun according to Hindu astrology. A Navratna gemstones jewelry piece is said to bestow the wearer with cosmic harmony while symbolizing status and wealth. In India, Vedic astrologers recommend gemstones to people based on their birth charts. Wearing birthstones is a popular practice worldwide, especially in India.

The Modern Birthday Gemstones

While the tradition of wearing birthstones gained popularity between the 16th and 18th centuries, there was no absolute consensus on the list of birthstones till the 19th century. In 1912, the National Association of Jewelers standardized the list of American birthday gemstones and their designated months.

This list was created after taking into account various customs that had developed over the years. It encompassed only those gemstones that American jewelers could easily sell or promote in large quantities. There are many yellow gemstones and blue gemstones in this list.

The Bottom Line

Learning about the vast history of birthday gemstones might have amplified your interest in investing in your birthstone. If you’re considering fashioning a jewelry piece encrusted with the gemstone associated with your birth month, we recommend you choose GemsNY for this purpose. It’s a renowned American jeweler with a wonderful experience of bringing people’s dream jewelry pieces to life. Get yourself some NY gemstones now!