One of the most popular gifts throughout the world is the gift of jewelry and whether its costume fashion jewelry or designer jewelry, rings and earrings with birthstones have always been a popular gift choice. The association between the months of the year to specific gems has its beginnings around the time of Josephus, a first-century Jewish scholar who wrote about the twelve stones that were placed on the special breastplate given to the High Priest of Israel. Each of these stones, he said, referred to one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and eventually stones were also associated to the twelve months of the Gregorian calendar, although these early stones are not the same that we have in modern times.
The gems we associate with each month now are based on either German or Polish traditions that existed as far back as the 1500s, and the current list of gemstones recognized by the National Association of Jewelers was established in 1912. Great Britain has its own list of birthstones, which is quite similar to ours. Hindu tradition also includes a matching of birthstones to each month, and several months include gems that are the same as the Western birthstones. For example, the pearl is known as one of the gemstones for June for Americans, the British and Hindus. Diamonds also are universally associated with the month of April.
Many ancient people believed that gemstones had magical properties, and each birthstone has its own special history and legends surrounding it. The birthstone of August, the peridot, was believed to cure a variety of diseases and also to keep one from feeling envious. This latter fact could be attributed to its green hue and the expression "green from envy," which has been a commonly used phrase since Shakespeare used it in both "Othello" and "The Merchant of Venice." Whatever the reason, people felt that if they wore this special gem, they would be healthier and perhaps purer of heart.
The garnet, January's birthstone, was believed to ensure victory on the battlefield, so soldiers sometimes wore this stone during the Crusades. They also believed that the garnet would protect them from injury. Some people in ancient times believed that November's birthstone, the citrine, could enhance psychic abilities and also protect someone from another person's abuse or negative energy.
While several months have just one birthstone, others have multiple options. In January, you just have garnets and in February, there is the amethyst. April, May and August also have just a single stone, the diamond, the emerald or the peridot. December has quite a few, depending on the source, including turquoise, zircon, topaz and also tanzanite. September has just one in the United States, but three in Great Britain. In America, September babies have sapphires as a birth stone, but in England, Scotland or Wales, you can choose sapphire, lapis or lazuli.
If you wish to purchase a piece of jewelry that features a birthstone, there are many different options. These popular gems are placed in necklaces, bracelets, earrings and even unique items such as belly rings and nose rings. One special gift that many moms love is a mother's ring and this item features the birthstones of each child in the family.
The gems we associate with each month now are based on either German or Polish traditions that existed as far back as the 1500s, and the current list of gemstones recognized by the National Association of Jewelers was established in 1912. Great Britain has its own list of birthstones, which is quite similar to ours. Hindu tradition also includes a matching of birthstones to each month, and several months include gems that are the same as the Western birthstones. For example, the pearl is known as one of the gemstones for June for Americans, the British and Hindus. Diamonds also are universally associated with the month of April.
Many ancient people believed that gemstones had magical properties, and each birthstone has its own special history and legends surrounding it. The birthstone of August, the peridot, was believed to cure a variety of diseases and also to keep one from feeling envious. This latter fact could be attributed to its green hue and the expression "green from envy," which has been a commonly used phrase since Shakespeare used it in both "Othello" and "The Merchant of Venice." Whatever the reason, people felt that if they wore this special gem, they would be healthier and perhaps purer of heart.
The garnet, January's birthstone, was believed to ensure victory on the battlefield, so soldiers sometimes wore this stone during the Crusades. They also believed that the garnet would protect them from injury. Some people in ancient times believed that November's birthstone, the citrine, could enhance psychic abilities and also protect someone from another person's abuse or negative energy.
While several months have just one birthstone, others have multiple options. In January, you just have garnets and in February, there is the amethyst. April, May and August also have just a single stone, the diamond, the emerald or the peridot. December has quite a few, depending on the source, including turquoise, zircon, topaz and also tanzanite. September has just one in the United States, but three in Great Britain. In America, September babies have sapphires as a birth stone, but in England, Scotland or Wales, you can choose sapphire, lapis or lazuli.
If you wish to purchase a piece of jewelry that features a birthstone, there are many different options. These popular gems are placed in necklaces, bracelets, earrings and even unique items such as belly rings and nose rings. One special gift that many moms love is a mother's ring and this item features the birthstones of each child in the family.
About the Author:
Stefanie Flenner enjoys jewelry shopping. For more info about the best online store for costume fashion jewelry or to discover other fashion jewelry collections such as rhinestone necklace sets, please visit the GlitterJewelry4u.com site today.
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