Birthstone Jewelry Makes a Great Mother's Day Gift

You may have noticed that birthstones for different months vary, according to what list you are looking at. That's because the whole idea of birthstones is a tradition, and, like most traditions, the one about birthstones has changed greatly over the years.

The original idea of birthstones likely came from the Biblical references to the Breastplate of Aaron. This religious garment, worn only by Aaron, the high priest, had 12 gemstones, representing the 12 tribes of Israel set into it. It was also supposed to correspond with the 12 months of the year, and possibly with the 12 signs of the zodiac.

Another Biblical reference to gemstones is in Revelation 21:19-20. The foundation stones of the New Jerusalem are said to have the name of each of the twelve apostles on them and be garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation stone was jasper, the second, sapphire, the third, chalcedony, the fourth, emerald, the fifth, sardonyx, the sixth, sardius, the seventh, chrysolyte, the eighth, beryl, the ninth, topaz, the tenth, chrysoprasus, the eleventh, jacinth, and the twelfth, amethyst.

Since some gemstones were called by different names in those days, we aren't sure the gems most modern lists call birthstones are actually the same stones that were in the original breastplate of Aaron or in the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem.

Down through the years, birthstones have held different degrees of importance to different people. For example, early civilizations in India and Babylon, believed that birthstones had magical qualities.

Others have attributed personality traits to the fact that a person was born on a certain month and thus is under the influence of that month's particular birthstone.

The wearing of birthstones by the general population was introduced in Poland during the 15^th century. People there believed that if you wore the birthstone for a particular month every day of that month, its power was enhanced. Therefore, people were encouraged to wear the "birthstone of the month" even if it wasn't the month of their own birth. The next month, they changed to that month's birthstone, and wore it every day.

A pamphlet published in 1870 contained an anonymous poem linking the influence birthstones were supposed to have had on persons born in each month of the year. For example, here is the verse for October, my birth month. It seems I have no hope unless I wear an opal on my breast. The other verses are similar, and the whole poem can be seen by checking note #1 below.

"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."

In 1912, a group known as Jewelers of America, settled on a list of modern gems in an attempt to standardize birthstones. This list is the one presently accepted in the United States, although other countries have lists that vary greatly from this one. In a way, the difference in lists makes it nice. If you were born in August and don't care for the Peridot, you can find a list that says a Diamond is the accepted birthstone for August, or another that says it is a Sapphire, so choose the one that most appeals to you.

January-Garnet

February-Amethyst

March-Aquamarine

April-Diamond

May-Emerald

June-Moonstone or Pearl

July-Ruby

August-Peridot

September-Sapphire

October-Opal

November-Topaz

December-Turquoise

The standardized birthstone accepted by most people for May is the Emerald, a stone which is supposed to signify faith, goodness, and kindness. Emeralds were favorite gemstones of ancient royalty. Queen Cleopatra was noted for her collection.

The last king of the Incas wore a crown that had 453 emeralds set into it. Unfortunately, his empire was conquered and the crown eventually ended up being sold to and American syndicate which broke it apart and used the emeralds to fashion many individual pieces of jewelry. Maybe someone you know is wearing one of those pieces today.

Emeralds vary in color from a very pale green to a very dark green, and the color can fade or even disappear if the stone is exposed to excessive heat.

Emeralds vary in price. They can be extremely expensive, but shop around a bit and you will probably be able to find a better price. Do choose a reputable dealer though, as a lot of fake stones are on the market. (See note #2 below)

If your mother just happens to have a birthday in May, a really nice combination gift for her birthday and Mother's Day (which is May 10^th) would be a piece of jewelry incorporating a nice emerald stone of some kind.

If your mother wasn't born in May, try something with her own birthstone in it. She will love it. If you don't know what your mother's birthstone, or your own birthstone is, check it out note #3 below.

NOTES:

(1) Anonymous Poem, Birthstone Index: http://www.birthstones.org.uk/jewels-gemstones/opals.htm

(2) Cathy Miles and Charles F. Peters II, Starry Skies Articles: http://starryskies.com/articles/dln/5-01/may.birthstone.html

(3) http://www.jewelexi.com/gems/birthstone.asp