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Birthstone Origins - Stranger than Fiction
By Sam and Tami Serio
Morning Light Jewelry
In the Old Testament, the book of Exodus tells the story of the
Breastplate of Aaron, used in religious ceremonies. (Aaron, just in case
you were absent from Sunday school that day, was the Biblical figure who
performed, at Moses' direction, the miracles that confounded Pharaoh and
his magicians.) Aaron's breastplate was adorned with four rows of
gemstones, three gemstones in each row, in the following pattern: Sardius,
topaz, carbuncle; emerald, sapphire, diamond; ligure, agate, amethyst;
beryl, onyx, jasper. These twelve gemstones represented the twelve tribes
of Israel. The twelve positions were later co-opted by astrologers who
linked them to the twelve months of the calendar year and the twelve signs
of the zodiac.
The
Traditional Birthstone List contains these older birthstones and
represents birthstone traditions heralding back to the 15th century. The
Modern Birthstone List was created by the National Association of Jewelers
in 1912 in Kansas City, Missouri. Gemstone purists complained that the NAJ
list was devised solely for commercial purposes (they probably didn't
believe in Santa Claus either!). As a result, astrologers who prescribed
gems often substituted alternate or secondary stones. The Mystical
Birthstone list below originated in from Tibet over a thousand years ago.
The Ayurvedic Birthstone list is derived from age-old Ayurvedic Indian
Medicine, a practice of native people for more than a century.
| Month
|
Modern
|
Traditional |
Mystical |
Ayurverdic |
| January |
Garnet |
Garnet
|
Emerald |
Garnet
|
| February |
Amethyst |
Amethyst |
Amethyst |
Bloodstone |
| March |
Aquamarine |
Bloodstone |
Jade |
Bloodstone |
| April |
Diamond |
Diamond |
Opal |
Quartz |
| May |
Emerald |
Emerald |
Sapphire |
Agate |
| June |
Pearl |
Alexandrite |
Moonstone |
Pearl |
| July |
Ruby |
Ruby |
Ruby |
Ruby |
| August |
Peridot |
Sardonyx |
Diamond |
Sapphire |
| September |
Sapphire |
Sapphire |
Agate |
Lapis Lazuli |
| October |
Opal |
Tourmaline |
Tourmaline |
Jasper |
| November |
Yellow Topaz
|
Citrine |
Citrine |
Pearl |
| December |
Turquoise |
Lapis Lazuli |
Onyx |
Ruby |
Astrologically speaking, your place on the Zodiac is more meaningful than
your birth month for tapping into your "power," which has led to the
creation of the following list of "Star Stones" related to the star under
which you were born, rather than the day.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) - Ruby, Agate, Garnet
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) - Garnet, Moss Agate, Opal, Amethyst,
Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20) - Rock Crystal, Sapphire, Amethyst, Bloodstone
Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 19) - Bloodstone, Diamond
Taurus (Apr. 20-May 20) - Sapphire, Turquoise, Amber, Blood Coral, Emerald
Gemini (May 21-Jun. 20) - Agate, Chrysoprase, Pearl
Cancer (Jun. 21-Jul. 22) - Emerald, Moonstone, Pearl, Ruby
Leo (Jul. 23-Aug. 22) - Tourmaline, Sardonyx, Onyx
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) - Jasper, Carnelian, Jade, Sapphire
Libra (Sep. 23-Oct. 22) - Opal, Lapis Lazuli, Peridot
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) - Aquamarine, Topaz
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) - Sapphire, Amethyst, Turquoise, Topaz
So whether you choose an emerald from the Breastplate of Aaron, a
moonstone from Tibet's mystical birthstone list, an opal for its ayurvedic
birthstone properties, or your very own "star sign" representative.may the
force (of the birthstone) be with you!
The Authors of the above Article, Sam and Tami Serio have been
passionately involved with Jewelry and Gemstones for over fifteen-years.
For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to
visit
www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To
Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise,
informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to
know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE
report at
www.morninglightjewelry.com . |
