Precious stones and gemstones have fascinated mankind since the dawn of time. The beauty and permanence of coloured stones are real puzzles. Often discovered by chance as they magically appeared on the surface of the Earth, our ancestors, long before us, made them into amulets and talismans supposed to influence the course of our lives. They are still attributed healing and energetic powers even today, even though this cannot be scientifically proven. But what is the origin of birthstones?
Aaron's bib
The biblical story tells that Moses' brother, the high priest Aaron, the great protector of the Ark of the Covenant, possessed a breastplate of 12 precious stones representing the 12 tribes of the future Israel. Topaz, sapphire, emerald, diamond, etc.; all these coloured stones were for the first time associated with a specific symbol and number; the 12. Flavius Josephus, a Roman historiographer from Jerusalem in 1er century AD, was the first to establish links between the twelve stones of the pectoral and the signs of the zodiac. Saint-Jérôme, one of the fathers of the Latin Church, also mentions it in his writings dated 5e century. According to them, the wearing of these stones at specific times would have a therapeutic effect.
Birth of the birthstone
Highly controversial, the official entry into force in 1752 of the Gregorian calendar (of Pope Gregory XIII) to replace the Julian calendar (of Julius Caesar) gave rise to the creation of the concept of the birthstones for the 12 months of the year. It's the same concept we know today. For example, the month of January belongs to the red garnet. Aquamarine is the stone of the month of March. The sapphire, blue in color, corresponds to the month of September. Sometimes, two stones are associated with the same month, such as June and October. This table was defined in 1912 by the National Association of Jewellers of America and has not changed since then despite some attempts. Very fashionable, lithotherapy associates virtues to each of these stones.
- BIRTHSTONES
MONTH
PIERRE
VERTUS
January
Garnet
- Joy
- Vitality
- Energy
February
Amethyst
- Wisdom
- Serenity
- Creativity
Mars
Aquamarine
- Courage
- Softness
- Dialogue
April
Diamond
- Purity
- Love
- Complicity
May
Emerald
- Benevolence
- Openness
- Lucidity
June
Pearl, alexandrite
- Compassion
- Wellness
- Altruism
July
Ruby
- Hapiness
- Courage
- Loyalty
August
Péridot
- Confidence
- Self-esteem
- appeasement
September
Sapphire
- Calm
- Regulation
- Perseverance
October
Opal, tourmaline
- Awakening
- Protection
- Solidity
November
Citrine
- Équilibre
- Joie de vivre
- Abundance
December
Blue topaz
- Hope
- Amitié
- Dialogue
Birth Stones
MONTH
PIERRE
VERTUS
January
Garnet
February
Amethyst
Mars
Aquamarine
April
Diamond
May
Emerald
June
Pearl, alexandrite
July
Ruby
August
Péridot
September
Sapphire
October
Opal, tourmaline
November
Citrine
December
Blue topaz
Birth Stones
January : Garnet
Virtues: Joy, vitality, energy
February: Amethyst
Virtues: Wisdom, serenity, creativity
March: Aquamarine
Virtues: Courage, gentleness, dialogue
April: Diamond
Virtues: Purity, love, complicity
May: Emerald
Virtues: benevolence, openness, lucidity
June: Pearl and Alexandrite
Virtues: Compassion, well-being, altruism
July : Ruby
Virtues: Happiness, courage, loyalty
August: Peridot
Virtues: Confidence, self esteem, appeasement
September: Sapphire
Virtues: Calm, regulation, perseverance
October: Opal and Tourmaline
Virtues: Awakening, protection, solidity
November: Citrine
Virtues: Balance, joie de vivre, abundance
December: Blue Topaz
Virtues: Hope, friendship, dialogue
Birth Stones
January : Garnet
Virtues: Joy, vitality, energy
February: Amethyst
Virtues: Wisdom, serenity, creativity
March: Aquamarine
Virtues: Courage, gentleness, dialogue
April: Diamond
Virtues: Purity, love, complicity
May: Emerald
Virtues: Benevolence, openness, Lucidity
June: Pearl and Alexandrite
Virtues: Compassion, well-being, altruism
July : Ruby
Virtues: Happiness, courage, loyalty
August: Peridot
Virtues: Confidence, self esteem, appeasement
September: Sapphire
Virtues: Calm, regulation, perseverance
October: Opal and Tourmaline
Virtues: Awakening, protection, solidity
November: Citrine
Virtues: Balance, joie de vivre, abundance
December: Blue Topaz
Virtues: Hope, friendship, dialogue
My birthstone
The practice of wearing one's own birthstone dates back to the 18th century.e century in Europe, precisely in Poland with the arrival of Jewish gemstone traders who promoted them to boost their sales. "Anything that helps retailers sell more jewellery is a good thing," according to the National Jewellers Association. It is now commonplace for jewellers to respond to demand by offering all kinds of jewellery from various month of the year.
An upward trend
Whether it is for a baptism, a wedding or an anniversary, year after year, jewellers Flamme en rose notice that requests for jewellery with birthstones custom-made creations are constantly on the rise. "More and more people are coming to meet us to create jewellery with gems they own and that have a great meaning for them," according to Michèle Côté, chief designer and co-owner of the jewellery store specializing in the custom design. "We also encourage people to purchase colored gemstones created in laboratories as it is an eco-friendly option causing less damage to our planet." She advises to arrange a meeting for any creative project.