The Origin of Birthstones
While some sources such as 1st Century Roman-Jewish historian Josephus tell us birthstones originated on the breastplate of Aaron, with each representing the 12 months of the year and accruing 12 signs of the zodiac, others say the breastplate’s stones signified each of the 12 tribes of Israel. Eighth and 9th Century religious treaties were written associating particular stones with apostles. And while more modern accounts, including folklore, do not identify the breastplate or religious connections, some claim wearing one during its assigned month enhances its therapeutic properties.
Throughout history, accepted birthstones rotated in and out, with style and availability sometimes determining which stones would reign. In 1912, the National Association of Jewelers in the States standardized the list, which was updated in 1952 by the Jewelry Industry Council of America. Among the changes were the addition of alexandrite to the month of June, citrine to November, pink tourmaline for October (pink was key), replacing alternate lapis with zircon in December, and switching around March’s primary and alternate gemstones of aquamarine and bloodstone. In 2002, tanzanite was added as a December stone.
Color: Red
Quality associated: Strength, Prosperity, Forgiveness
Red is associated with the fire of passion and power. It is a very grounding color and is capable of authentic manifestations of your true desires and experiencing them. As a gemstone forms, the presence of crystal lattice defects in it causes the red color appearance.
Color: Purple
Quality associated: Spirituality, Wisdom, Security
Purple has been a synonym of royalty and rarity. It represents rising above the mundane and recognizing the reality. It is the color of mysticism and could searching. Purple is also the color of the age we are living in. The presence of iron or manganese gives a gemstone, its cherished purple color.
Color: Pale Blue
Quality associated: Faithfulness, Courage, Friendship
Blue is the color of clear and vast oceans, and serene skylight. It strengthens communication, creating fun and laughter. It ensures a wholesome life and lessens struggle. Baron, through changing the conductivity of a gemstone, makes its appearance pale blue.
Color: Transparent white
Quality associated: Balance, Clarity, Abundance
White carries all colors within itself, making it a color of possibilities and potential. It also propagates peace, purity, virtue and transparency in thoughts and actions.
Color: Green
Quality associated:Memory, Clairvoyance, Faith
The symbolic meaning of the color green is renewal of life and nature. It carries impressing healing properties and acts as a magnet to attract and hold abundance. Green is naturally reflected in a stone due to its exposure to the natural radiation within the earth, over a long duration, such as uranium ore.
Color: Pearl white
Quality associated: Modesty, Chastity, Purity
Pearl reflects luster and iridescence of the rainbow hue, making it a perfect anchor for calmness and purity amidst life’s chaos. It enables to balance and live the best of both worlds.
Color: Red
Quality associated: Vitality, Confidence, Strength
Red harbingers fire of passion and power in life. July Red is also representative of eminence. It is a very grounding color and ensures authentic manifestation of your true desires. It also conveys valor and courage.
Color: Pale Green
Quality associated: Fame, Dignity, Protection
The sparkle and transparency of August Green represent simplicity sprinkles with vivaciousness. It is a color of growth and abundance. The symbolic meaning of the color green is renewal of life and nature.
Color: Deep Blue
Quality associated: Clairvoyance, Sincerity, Insight
Blue is a color of communication and expression and makes you a great orator.The depth of September Blue gives strength to harness the synergies of various life aspects to create desired realities. It also harmonizes relations and eliminates discord. Indigo represents prominence, power and wealth.
Color: Opal White
Quality associated: Hope, Innocence, Purity
The vividness and exclusivity of all colors is simultaneously experiences in this one color. Opal white has the power to add zing to the most ordinary parts of life. White carries all colors within itself, making it a color of possibilities and potential. It propagates peace, purity, virtue and transparency in thoughts and actions.
Color: Yellow
Quality associated: Loyalty, Strength, Friendship
Yellow is learning and intelligence personified in a color. It serves as a strong foundation for expansion. It ensures a firm first stem in the right direction, and represents hope, capable of changing anything and everything. Yellow gives a brightening yet soothing effect. Nitrogen, through changing the conductivity of a gemstone, makes its appearance yellow.
Color: Blue
Quality associated: Happiness, Prosperity, Good Fortune
Blue is a color of communication and expression and makes you a great orator.The depth of September Blue gives strength to harness the synergies of various life aspects to create desired realities. It also harmonizes relations and eliminates discord. Indigo represents prominence, power and wealth.