At BAUMONDI we want to show our customers the power of jewellery and the powers precious stones can have. Birthstones are the perfect introduction to meaningful jewellery. Birthstones are a well-known concept but one surrounded by much confusion. So we bring you an easy guide to all the birthstones and their meaning and we will help you find yours.

What are birthstones?

Birthstones are a selection of natural gemstones, each charged with a variety of healing and protective energies, linked to one of the months of the year and are worn as jewellery by those born in that month. In some cases, a month is linked to more than one stone, giving the wearer two or three stones possessing different properties to choose from. Birthstones don’t only mean that those born in that month should wear this particular stone, but it can also be beneficial to wear the stone during its correlating month to enhance its energy and powers.

Where does the concept of birthstones come from?

The origin and tradition of birthstones in Western history can be traced all the way back to the first century. A historian discovered a connection between the 12 months of the year, the 12 zodiac signs which originated in the Babylonian culture in the 5th century BC and a particular priestly breastplate worn by a High Priest. The breastplate was set with 12 different crystals, each symbolising one of 12 tribes. It is remarkable that something like the reason why we wear a particular gemstone can date back to the origins of our world and culture as we know it. But it was actually only in the 16th century that it became a custom to wear only one of these stones at a time.

However, over the many centuries, some of the specific stones assigned to the months have changed from the original ones. What we know today as our birthstones is largely attributed to jewellery brand Tiffany & Co. which published a series of poems matching every month of the year to a gemstone. Then in 1912, an association called Jewelers of America met and created an official list of birthstones matched to their respective months to standardise this once and for all. In 1937, Britain’s National Association of Goldsmiths did the same and while there are some slight differences between the American and British versions, on the majority they agree. So what did they come up with? See below what stones have been deemed as birthstones and which is the right one for you based on the month you were born in.

Amethyst – February

Amethyst is a purple kind of quartz. It is another one of the original birthstones. Derived from the Greek word methysménos meaning ‘intoxicated’ or ‘drunk’, the ancient Greeks believed wearing amethyst could protect them from the intoxicating power of Dionysus, the god of wine and ecstasy, because of its colour similar to red wine.

The properties of amethyst are actually very similar to what the ancient Greeks believed. It promotes stability, strength and relaxation and keeps its wearer quick witted and clear headed. The stone is a natural hormone balancer, it reduces pain and strengthens the immune system. Amethyst is a symbol of empowerment.

For centuries, amethyst was known as the most precious gemstone in the world, similar to diamonds. It was synonymous with royalty and power and the clergy wore it as a symbol of God and Christ. Nowadays, it is much more widely accessible as scientific discoveries have shown that quartz is the second most abundant material found in the Earth’s crust and it is much more easily sourced. 

Diamond – April

The most prized of all gemstones, diamond comes from the Greek adamas which means ‘invincible’ or ‘unbreakable’ as it is 58 times harder than anything else in nature. It is formed of just one element – carbon, 100 miles beneath the Earth’s crust and it is then forced upward.

Some ancient civilisations thought that diamonds were captured lightning or that they warded off the evil eye, while Greek warriors believed diamonds would make them invincible. Ancient Romans saw the stone as a symbol of innocence and purity.

Diamonds have always been associated with great healing powers as an antidote to poison or the plague, nowadays to cure brain diseases and detoxify the blood. They give energy and light to the soul. Diamond is a symbol of clarity and strength, as well as eternal love. 

Ruby – July

Ruby has been consistently assigned to July throughout history. The stone of royalty and ‘the king of precious stones’ as it was called in ancient Sanskrit, ‘ruby’ comes from Latin rubeus meaning simply ‘red’ as its deep blood red colour is what it is most famous for, along with its durability and hardness, second only to diamond.

Ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum, while all other kinds of gem quality corundum are called sapphire. It is chromium that gives ruby its red colour and creates a fluorescent effect which makes rubies glow like a fire from within. Chromium is also what causes the stone to crack and therefore makes this gem scarce.

Ruby is associated with blood and is believed to detoxify the body and cure heart diseases. It was often seen as a symbol of power, courage protection and noblemen in ancient China adorned their armor with rubies for this reason. In past centuries, some believed the stone could predict misfortune and danger and protect its wearer from evil. Ruby is also a symbol of passion and is believed to bring success in love and wealth. 

Peridot – August

The exclusively green-hued peridot symbolises strength, instills power and influence. The shade is usually light green, from bright lime to olive shades. It is believed its name originates from the Greek peridona meaning ‘giving plenty’ as it empowers its wearer to take responsibility and make decisions, resulting in prosperity and good fortune.

Peridot is mostly found in basalt flows which is a type of rock formed by solidified lava erupted from volcanoes. In the ancient times, it was believed the peridot crystals found in the volcanic ashes were the tears of the volcano goddess, Pele. Some peridot falls to Earth in meteorites.

Peridot is meant to stimulate mental clarity and inspire happiness and understanding. The stone supports the digestive system and it was used as a talisman during childbirth. 

Sapphire – September

Sapphire has always been known as the birthstone of September. Sapphire is traditionally known as the rich dark blue variety of the mineral corundum, however, sapphires come in almost every colour possible except for red which is classified as a ruby. Even the stone’s name is tied to its famous colour, coming from the Latin sapphirus, meaning ‘blue stone’.

Sapphires have been linked to channeling of the higher powers for centuries. Ancient Greeks wore it for guidance when seeking answers from the oracle. Buddhists believed it brought spiritual enlightenment and Christian kings wore sapphire rings for protection. The celestial blue symbolised heaven and was thought to attract divine favour.

Sapphire is a symbol of loyalty, wisdom, trust and sincerity. While in medieval Europe, it was believed that sapphire cured plague boils and diseases of the eye and was used as an antidote to poison. 

Tourmaline – October

There is no other gemstone that comes in such a wide variety of colours as tourmaline. Rather than a single species, tourmaline stands for a group of minerals. The name tourmaline comes from Sinhalese tura mali, which means ‘stone of mixed colors’, as not only that there are so many shades of this stone, tourmaline can also display multiple colours in one gemstone. The most widely known multi-colour variety is the watermelon tourmaline which is a mix of green, pink and white bands.

One of tourmaline’s impressive properties is its ability to become electrically charged through heat and through pressure. When charged, tourmaline can act as a magnet.

Different shades of tourmaline have been given different meanings over time. Black tourmaline was thought to protect the wearer and give a sense of self-confidence. And ancient magicians used black it as protection against evil forces. Pink tourmaline embodies good luck and happiness. Green tourmaline is believed to promote courage and strength.

Published 15/07/2021 at baumondi.com