Birthstones and Birthstone jewellery

The Origin of the Birthstone

Most gem experts now agree that the birthstone tradition has become a part of western culture through the Breastplate of Aaron, famous in Judeo-Christian teachings. Aaron, brother of Moses, had a breastplate constructed on divine instruction. This breastplate was set with four rows of gems, twelve gemstones in all. Each gold-set gemstone was supposed to represent a tribe of Israel.

Because ancient classifications of gem types differed from those used now, there was, over the centuries, much debate about which gemstones were set in the Breastplate. Gemstones assigned to represent each month of the year changed and evolved over centuries until early modern times.

The idea of assigning mythical qualities to gemstones and the idea of birthstones went out of fashion with the Enlightenment, but it did not die altogether.

The modern revival of the birthstone began in 1912, when the National Association of Jewellers met in Kansas City for the purpose of establishing the modern birthstone list. The list drew fire from many gemologists, who saw it as an impermissible departure from tradition, as only six of the old gemstones made the revised list. The National Association of Jewellers was accused of commercialism and of undermining and endangering the birthstone tradition.

Despite these accusations, the modern birthstone list has flourished. But in addition to birthstones by month, the more mythical tradition of zodiac gemstones has continued alongside and a gemstone exists for each zodiac sign. This is great news for all those who love gemstone jewellery - we now have more gemstones to chose from!

Birthstones by Month

Gemstones of the Zodiac