The Origin of Birthstone

Many people are familiar with birthstones, which are believed to bring good luck, success, and love, while protecting the wearer from negativity and misfortune.
 
Can you imagine where this belief originated from? Today Gemondo will tell you the story!
 
The origin of birthstones can be traced back to the Bible. In Revelation 21:19-20, there are 12 gems identified as the foundation stones of the Heavenly City. In the Hebrew Bible, The Book of Exodus mentions these same 12 gemstones on the Breastplate of Aaron, the brother of Moses, which represented the 12 tribes of Israel. Scholars believe that this is the origin of birthstones.

Reference: https://biblehub.com/commentaries/revelation/21-19.htm

 

In the 1st century, the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus linked the 12 gems on the Breastplate of Aaron to astrology, and the connection to the Hebrew calendar is considered to be the origin of zodiac birthstones.

Reference: http://www.redeemerofisrael.org/2014/05/high-priest-breastplate-part-1.html 

By the 16th century, Jewish jewelers popularized the belief in wearing birthstones, which soon became widespread in Poland and Europe.

Zodiac

Period

Gemstone for Birthstone and Zodiac

Precious Stone

Semi-Precious Stone

Opaque

Capricorn

December 22 - January 19

 

Garnet

 

 

Tsavorite

 

Aquaris

January 20 - February 18

 

Amethyst

 

Pisces

February 19 - March 20

 

Aquamarine

Blood Stone

Aries

March 21 - April 19

Diamond

White Topaz

 

Taurus

April 20 - May 20

Emerald

 

 

Gemini

May 21 - June 20

 

Alexandrite

Pearl

 

 

Moonstone

Cancer

June 21 - July 22

Ruby

 

 

Leo

July 23 - August 22

 

Peridot

 

Virgo

August 23 - September 22

Sapphire

 

 

Libra

September 23 - October 22

 

Tourmaline

Opal

Scorpio

October 23 - November 21

 

Topaz

 

 

Citrine

 

 

Morganite

 

Sagittarius

November 22 - December 21

 

Tanzanite

Turquoise

The table of zodiac birthstone

In 1912, the American National Association of Jewelers established a standard for birthstone gemstones, dividing them into 12 gems, one for each month, based on international principles rather than the original Hebrew calendar. This is the birthstone system that is still in use today.

Month

Gemstone for Birthstone and Zodiac

Precious Stone

Semi-Precious Stone

Opaque

January

Garnet

Tsavorite

February

Amethyst

March

Aquamarine

Blood Stone

April

Diamond

White Topaz

May

Emerald

June

Alexandrite

Pearl

Moonstone

July

Ruby

August

Peridot

September

Sapphire

October

Tourmaline

Opal

November

Topaz

Citrine

Morganite

December

Tanzanite

Turquoise

The table of birthstone

 

Reference

https://www.gemsociety.org/article/foundation-stones-new-testament/

https://www.gemsociety.org/article/what-were-the-gemstones-of-the-breastplate-of-aaron/