The History of Birthstones

 

Blogger: Amber Schamel

 

Replica of the priestly breastplate.
Dr. Avishai  Teicher Pikiwiki Israel, CC BY 2.5

Well, we are back at May again, which means that we have studied the birthstones of all twelve months. So today, I'd like to share with you how the tradition of birthstones began. 

The tradition of gemstones associated with months of the year and constellations in the Zodiac are so old, that no one knows for sure what the origination of them are. In eastern cultures, such as Hinduism, there were gemstones associated with celestial bodies. At birth, an astronomical chart was calculated and certain stones were recommended for the child to possess or wear in order to bring good luck and prevent problems. 

Many believe that birthstones actually originate from Judaism and Christianity. When Moses brought the Hebrews out of Egypt and established the priesthood, there was a breastplate that was created for Aaron as the High Priest. This breastplate contained twelve stones, one to represent each tribe of Israel. The historian Josephus believed there was a link between these twelve stones, the twelve signs of the Zodiac and the months of the year. 

Josephus
Public Domain

"And for the twelve stones, whether we understand by them the months, or the twelve signs of what the Greeks call the zodiac, we shall not be mistaken in their meaning.” ~Antiquities of the Jews by Josephus

Saint Jerome later expounded upon Josephus' theories, and people began to associate gems with months of the year, and attribute qualities to each as well. However, it was not until a few centuries ago that people began to wear only the gemstone of their birth month. Some historians believe the practice originated in Poland in the 18th century, while others attribute it to Germany in the 1500's.

Saint Jerome by Domenico Ghirlandaio
Public Domain

Either way, the wearing of one's birthstone became increasingly popular. The list that we have today was compiled officially for the first time in 1912. The Jewelers of America association, then known as the National Association of Jewelers, met in Kansas and officially adopted a standard list to make it easier to market the gems. It has since been revised a few times, but it remains mostly the same as the 1912 list.

While it can be fun and interesting to know your birthstone, and the qualities it represents, all of these stones are beautiful, valuable, and a credit to the wearer. 

 

Below is a complete list of the birthstones by month.

January: Garnet

February: Amethyst

March: Aquamarine, bloodstone

April: Diamond

May: Emerald

June: Pearl, Moonstone, Alexandrite

July: Ruby

August: Peridot, Spinel

September: Sapphire

October: Opal, Tourmaline

November: Topaz, Citrine

December: Tanzanite, Turquoise, Zircon 

*****

Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award for historical fiction, Amber Schamel writes riveting stories that bring HIStory to life. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".  

She lives in Colorado Springs near her favorite mountain, in a small “castle” with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a new mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at www.AmberSchamel.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!

History of the Diamond: April's Birthstone

 

Blogger: Amber Schamel

 

Diamonds - April's Birthstone
Mario Sarto, CC BY-SA 3.0

Welcome to the beautiful Spring month of April. A time for flowers, rain showers, and new life. For those of you lucky enough to be born in April, your birthstone is the diamond, which gives your significant other TWO good reasons to buy one for you. ;)

The diamond gets its name from the Greek word 'adamas' which means "unconquerable." A rather fitting name considering that the diamond is one of the most durable substances known to man. The diamond has become a symbol of eternal love and is the most common stone found on engagement rings...but let's not get ahead of ourselves. 

The earliest diamonds were found in the 4th century B.C in India and were traded along the Silk Road. Because the diamond possesses both strength and brilliance, they have been used since the very beginning both as tools and as adornments. It's uncertain which use made them more valuable. 

Initially, it was believed that the Indian mines were the only source of diamonds, but when those sources began to become depleted in the 18th century, the search for new sources began. In 1725, a small deposit was discovered in Brazil, however it wasn't near enough to keep up with demand. During this time, the value of the diamond was amazingly high. If you think the diamonds are valuable today, consider that the value was more than twice this much a few hundred years ago.

Kimberly Mine Shaft
Public Domain

In the late 1800's, a few discoveries of diamonds in South Africa caused a surge of diamond hunters, and a colossal deposit was discovered, which is now known as the Kimberly mine.  Because of the increase in supply, the demand decreased as the stone was seen as more "common". Between 1871 when the Kimberly Mine was opened, and 1912, the value of the diamond dropped 50%. In 1880, Cecil John Rhodes, an Englishman, consolidated the diamond mines in an effort to control the supply and DeBeers Consolidated Mines, LLC came into existence. While he succeeded in controlling the supply, demand for diamonds was still weak. This is where engagement rings come back into play. 

While the history behind engagement rings could be a post in and of itself, we're focusing on when diamonds became a player. The first known diamond engagement ring was presented in 1477 when Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed to Mary of Burgundy. However diamonds were reserved for royalty or the elite, so diamonds as an engagement ring was not widespread.

 

Mary of Burgundy
First known recipient of diamond
engagement ring.
Public domain

Cecil Rhodes
Founder of DeBeers Consolidated Mines
Public Domain

In 1947 the Debeers, LLC proposed a huge advertising campaign branding the gem with "Diamonds are Forever". This campaign is what sparked the widespread use of diamonds as engagement rings. Today, 78% of engagement rings sold are made of diamonds, and it was this campaign that has saved the diamond industry. The value of diamonds has climbed significantly since the 40's, but it still is not at the level it was in ancient times. Nevertheless, it is considered one of the most valuable gems on earth.

 Happy birthday to all you April diamond babies! :D 

*****

Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award for historical fiction, Amber Schamel writes riveting stories that bring HIStory to life. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".  

She lives in Colorado Springs near her favorite mountain, in a small “castle” with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a new mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at www.AmberSchamel.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!

 

History of the Amethyst: February's Birthstone

 

Blogger: Amber Schamel

 

Necklace from South Aribia dating 2,000 B.C.
From "Gems and Gemstones: Timeless Natural Beauty of the Mineral World"
by Lance Grande and Allison Augustyn, 2009, University of Chicago Press

Happy February, everyone! And happy birthday to all those born in this blistery month. Today we get to study one of my favorite birthstones, the amethyst. This gorgeous stone comes in beautiful hues of purple, a color that has been my favorite since I was old enough to name it.

The name amethyst comes from the Greek word 'amethystos' which can be translated "not drunken". The ancient Greeks believed that the gem would prevent intoxication, allowing someone to hold their liquor with a clear head, thus, they often used the stone for wine goblets.

 The earliest findings of amethyst jewelry dates back to 2000 B.C. The piece was engraved with a South Arabian script, believed to be from the 8th century. 

Mosaic depiction of god Bacchus
Public Domain

One legend of mythology, most famously told by French poet Remy Belleau, tells the tale of Bacchus, god of intoxication, pursuing a maiden by the name of Amethyste. The damsel refused his affections and prayed to the gods to remain chaste. The chaste goddess Diana answered her prayer by turning her into a white stone. Bacchus was so inspired and humbled by Amethyste's desire to remain chaste that he poured a goblet of wine upon the stone as an offering, turning the crystals purple. This legend, and variations of it, are interesting because it indicates that perhaps the ancients knew amethyst was a purple quartz.

Today, amethyst is not as rare as other gemstones we have studied, but it still manages to avoid being "common." It can be found in every part of the world, but it is still sought after for its unique, rich color. However, it wasn't always as plenteous as it is now. Up until the 18th century, amethyst was considered a "cardinal" gem, meaning its value was equal to the diamond and other most-precious gems. It wasn't until larger sources of it were discovered in Brazil that it became available to those of us who are not among the most wealthy. 

Carving of Roman Emperor Caracalla
in Amethyst.
Public Domain

Because of its color, amethyst was a favorite of royalty around the world. It was found in Anglo-Saxon graves, Egyptian tombs, on the crown jewels of monarchs, containing images of emperors, and more.

Clergy also loved this stone, and it was used in many religious relics for several reasons. The first is that the purple was thought to represent the deity of Christ. Second, the amethyst was one of the twelve stones in the Priestly breastplate in the Old Testament. Thirdly, the stone was said to be one of the stones representing the twelve apostles. Finally, since the stone indicated the meaning "Not drunken", they felt it represented Peter's words on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:15-16, "These are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel."

Some accounts say that Saint Valentine had a ring with Cupid carved into amethyst, which could be the reason it was chosen as the birthstone of February, the month of Valentine's day.

Great minds such as Leonardo De Vinci utilized the stone and believed it helped to quicken the mind and dissipate evil thoughts.

Today, amethyst is still in great demand and is used for all types of ornaments and jewelry such as rings, necklaces, rosary beads and more. The most important sources are still in Brazil.

For such a wintry month as February, a brilliant stone like Amethyst is a beautiful and welcome contrast. 

*****

Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award for historical fiction, Amber Schamel writes riveting stories that bring HIStory to life. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".  

She lives in Colorado Springs near her favorite mountain, in a small "castle" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a new mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at www.AmberSchamel.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!