Birthstones - The Mystery and the Myths Explained
Birthstones - what they're all about?
Birthstones are now very popular gift items. Jewelry such as rings, pendants, and bracelets using the different birthstones also make great personalized gifts. These birthstones are simply precious stones or gemstones similar to the ones used in regular jewelries. However, these stones are attributed with special powers and beliefs and are then assigned to each of the twelve months of the year. A birthstone is believed to contain supernatural powers that become stronger during its assigned month, and that they pass on mythical benefits to the person born on that month.
How It All Began
The concept of the birthstone actually has biblical origins. The original list of birthstones for each month of the year was taken by astrologists from the twelve different stones described in the book of Exodus. The stones were found on Aaron's breastplate. The connection was first made in the first century by Josephus, a Jewish historian.
According to Exodus, Aaron's Breastplate contained: ruby, topaz, beryl, turquoise, sapphire, emerald, jacinth, agate, amethyst, chrysolite, onyx, and jasper. Another birthstone listis also in Revelation, where these stones were referred to as the "foundations of the wall of the city."
Afterwards, in the 15th century, people took to wearing the birthstones and various legendary and mythical powers were attributed to them.
Birthstone Fact or Birthstone Myth?
People have different beliefs about birthstones.
What is the fact about birthstones? One of the powers associated with birthstone is the power to heal. The belief that birthstones can heal is actually fact. If you may have noticed, all the stones considered as birthstones are also minerals. Minerals are scientifically known to help heal various ailments in the body. Thus, since they are minerals, the birthstones can really bring about healing up to a certain extent.
Legends: Some birthstone legends/beliefs are backed by science. Science tells us that minerals help metabolize and balance our bodily functions, which is why it is possible that contact with mineral can lead to its absorption, and this can help bring about such supposed benefits of birthstones.
What are pure myth? As for the supernatural powers of the birthstones, these were only assigned by astrologers. Belief in these supernatural powers mostly depends on one's personal belief system. These powers are said to be stronger in the month that a stone is assigned to.
Different birthstone lists
There are several types of birthstone lists. These lists originated in different times, with the modern list only born in 1912 and the traditional lists dating as far back to the 15th century. The reason behind these different lists is that the lists are updated based on the state of the stones involved, or are modified to fit different purposes. The differences, however, are confined mostly to the stones and their order. However, the colors of the stones used for each month are usually consistent.
* Modern
The official list adopted in the USA for general purposes and jewelry making purposes is the Modern list. This is also the only list followed by the American National Association of Jewelers.
* The Traditional Birthstone List
Before the Modern Birthstone List was compiled, the widely accepted list was the Traditional Birthstone List. However, since this list contains some very old stones, which is why it was eventually replaced.
* The Mystical Birthstone List
The Tibetans of the past use another list, which was known as the Mythical Birthstone List. This list is now considered as extinct, although in its glory days, the Tibetans followed it for thousands of years.
* Ayurvedic
The Indians also had their own birthstone list, which they used for thousands of years. The Indian list is known as the Ayurvedic Birthstone List. The Indians used this list for medicinal purposes. The Indians' belief in the birthstones is mostly founded on the healing properties of the stones.
* Zodiac
The Zodiac list is a bit different. These are arranged based on the signs of the zodiac. A birthstone is assigned for each zodiac sign. This list originated from astrologers in India and Babylon.
Birthstones in different cultures
Different cultures also have different birthstone lists. These are all considered as sub-groups of the traditional birthstone list.
* Arabic
This is the Arabic list: Garnet for January, Amethyst for February, Bloodstone for March, Sapphire for April, Emerald for May, Pearl or Chalcedony or Agate for June, Carnelian for July, Sardonyx for August, Chrysolite for September, Aquamarine for October, Topaz for November, and Ruby for December.
* Hebrew
The Hebrew birthstone list is closely similar to the Arabic list, save for some minor rearranging.
* Hindu
The Hindu list stands out from the other cultural lists because it contains some unique stones not found in the other lists. These stones, which include the Serpent Stone, Chandrakanta, and the Gold Siva-linga, are special stones in the Hindu religion and were considered to have sacred powers.
* Italian and Roman
One of the history's most powerful empires, Rome, naturally had its own special list. This list was actually different from the list adopted by the rest of the countries in Italy, which just shows that due to the power of the Roman Empire in the past, Rome was usually considered as self-governing.
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