In today’s world, we use a stone to represent the month of the year in which we were born; thus, we call them birthstones. My birthstone, because my birth was in July, is ruby. Personally, I love the red of the stone that I have – a gift from Larry, years ago. He was a department manager and later a store manager at Sears stores in my metropolitan area before moving on to other retail enterprises. He was, at heart, a retailer and a good one.
My ruby ring, set in gold, came from the store where he worked the longest. Of course, we could not afford a “real” ruby stone – one that would have been found by geologists or rock hounds in their natural state. Rather, my ring was a synthetic ruby. Some clever person(s) had figured out how to create these precious stones, as well as diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, alexandrite, opal. beryl, quartz, and turquoise. The processes used to create these synthetic gems is not anything that I understand when I read about them.
These synthetic gems have the same properties as those nature-made gems. My ring is a “star” ruby. In the sunlight, a star appears in the stone. My ring is as important to me as any might be that have come from the “natural” path to my hand. As I remember, this was one gift from Larry that came to me without consultation with our daughters!
As I looked at my birthstone ring, I began to wonder why we celebrate each month with its own gem. My thinking, after a little research, is that the idea of identifying specific stones for specific reasons came from the Biblical time of Aaron, one of the most important leaders of the Israelites.
Apparently, a garment was created for Aaron – a bit like the top of an apron – measuring from the waist to the breastbone – held on the wearer with shoulder straps. Thus, it is known as the Breastplate of Aaron. As described and pictured, this garment had stones affixed to a metal plate in four rows of three stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Each stone, then, represented a different tribe.
Jumping forward several centuries and before 1912, there seemed to be a “hodge-podge” of designations for gems. These designations were often related to zodiac signs or geographic locations. The American National Association of Jewelers decided that a list of specific gems for each month should be established. That was in 1912. Some months of the years had only one gem assigned to it, while others had two or three stones listed.
You know how we say that the only constant is change? True to form, things changed in the 1950s. The list was revised. It is difficult to pin down one list of birthstones. Some different gems have been added; perhaps, to make purchasing a birthstone more affordable.
Here is one list:
January – Garnet
February – Amethyst
March – Aquamarine
April – Diamond
May – Emerald
June – Pearl, Alexandrite, Moonstone
July – Ruby
August – Peridot, Sardonyx, Spinel
September – Sapphire
October – Opal Tourmaline
November – Topaz, Citrine
December – Tanzanite, Turquoise, Zircon
Daughter #1 asked, “Why is the pearl considered a birthstone?” Perhaps that designation is made because it starts as a tiny stone, embedded in an oyster – that creates either a natural pearl or a cultured pearl.
Birthstones abound – do you have a favorite? I have two – my ruby and amethyst.
Be Safe and Be Well.
The Cranky Crone
Thoughtful comments are always appreciated.
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