Birthstones!

A birthstone is a gift of a precious material (jewelry, mainly gemstones; themselves traditionally associated with various qualities) that symbolizes the month of birth in the Gregorian calendar. It is sometimes also called birthday stone (cf. infra; but that word is, confusingly, sometimes used as a synonym for an anniversary gift, which is related to the recipient's age, that is, year of birth).

Traditional birthstones

Often combined with modern birthstone lists, traditional birthstones are older society-based birthstones. Since many different cultures had their own list, jewelers' lists are often inconsistent over what constitutes a traditional birthstone. The table below contains many stones which are popular choices, often reflecting Polish tradition.[1]

The Gregorian calendar has poems matching each month with its birthstone. These are traditionally the stones in English-speaking societies. It is not known whether these verses below are of the originally Gregorian calendar or not. In fact Tiffany & Co. published these poems "of unknown author" for the first time in a pamphlet in 1870.[2]

By her who in this month (January) was born

No gem save garnets should be worn;

They will ensure her constancy,

True friendship, and fidelity.

The February-born shall find

Sincerity and peace of mind,

Freedom from passion and from care,

If they an amethyst will wear.

Who in this world of ours their eyes

In March first open shall be wise,

In days of peril firm and brave,

And wear a bloodstone to their grave.

She who from April dates her years,

Diamond shall wear, lest bitter tears

For vain repentance flow, this stone,

Emblem of innocence, is known.

Who first beholds the light of day

In spring's sweet flowery month of May

And wears an emerald all her life

Shall be a loved and happy wife.

Who comes with summer to this earth,

And owes to June her hour of birth,

With ring of agate on her hand

Can health, wealth, and long life command.

The glowing ruby shall adorn,

Those who in July are born;

Then they'll be exempt and free

From love's doubts and anxiety.

Wear a sardonyx or for thee,

No conjugal felicity;

The August-born without this stone,

`Tis said, must live unloved and lone.

A maiden born when September leaves

Are rustling in September's breeze,

A sapphire on her brow should bind

`Twill cures diseases of the mind.

October's child is born for woe,

And life's vicissitudes must know,

But lay an opal on her breast,

And hope will lull those woes to rest.

Who first comes to this world below

In dreary November's fog and snow,

Should prize the topaz's amber hue,

Emblem of friends and lovers true.

If cold December gave you birth,

The month of snow and ice and mirth,

Place on your hand a turquoise blue;

Success will bless whate'er you do.

—Gregorian Birthstone Poems

History of birthstones

The first century Jewish historian Josephus proclaimed a connection between the twelve stones in Aaron's breastplate, the twelve months of the year and the twelve signs of the zodiac.[6] The Breastplate of Aaron, referred to in Exodus 28:17-20:

10 Then they mounted four rows of precious stones on it. In the first row there was a ruby, a topaz and a beryl;11 in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and an emerald;12 in the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst;13 in the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper. They were mounted in gold filigree settings.14 There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.

The precise list of birthstones however can be found in Revelation 21:19-20 where the foundation stones of the new Jerusalem are listed, in the order of the Roman calendar:[citation needed]

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. . .19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation wasjasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, achrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

The custom of actually wearing birthstones first gained popularity in Poland in the fifteenth century. Tradition suggested everyone wear the birthstone for each month, since the powers of the gemstone were heightened during its month. For the fullest effect, individuals needed to own an entire set of twelve gemstones and rotate them monthly.

Birthday stones

While this word has also been used as synonym of Birth stone (see above), there is a separate list of assignment according to the day of the week of the recipient's birth:

• Monday: Pearl
• Tuesday: Garnet
• Wednesday: Emerald
• Thursday: Topaz
• Friday: Diamond
• Saturday: Blue Sapphire
• Sunday: Ruby