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Birthstone Origins: Stranger than Fiction  by: Sam Serio In the Old Testament, the book of Exodus tells the story of the Breastplate of Aaron, used in religious ceremonies. (Aaron…just in case you were absent from Sunday school that day…was the Biblical figure who performed, at Moses' direction, the miracles that confounded Pharaoh and his magicians.) Aaron's breastplate was adorned with four rows of gemstones, three gemstones in each row, in the following pattern: Sardius, topaz, carbuncle; emerald, sapphire, diamond; ligure, agate, amethyst; beryl, onyx, jasper. These twelve gemstones represented the twelve tribes of Israel. The twelve positions were later co-opted by astologers who linked them to the twelve months of the calendar year and the twelve signs of the zodiac. The Traditional Birthstone List contains these older birthstones and represents birthstone traditions heralding back to the 15th century. The Modern Birthstone List was created by the National Association of Jewelers in 1912 in Kansas City, Missouri. Gemstone purists complained that the NAJ list was devised solely for commercial purposes (they probably didn't believe in Santa Claus either!). As a result, astrologers who prescribed gems often substituted alternate or secondary stones. The Mystical Birthstone list below originated in from Tibet over a thousand years ago. The Ayurvedic Birthstone list is derived from age-old Ayurvedic Indian Medicine, a practice of native people for more than a century. Month Modern Traditional Mystical Ayurverdic January Garnet Garnet Emerald Garnet February Amethyst Amethyst Amethyst Bloodstone March Aquamarine Bloodstone Jade Bloodstone April Diamond Diamond Opal Quartz May Emerald Emerald Sapphire Agate June Pearl Alexandrite Moonstone Pearl July Ruby Ruby Ruby Ruby August Peridot Sardonyx Diamond Sapphire Sept. Sapphire Sapphire Agate Lapis Lazuli October Opal Tourmaline Tourmaline Jasper November Yellow Topaz Citrine Citrine Pearl December Turquoise Lapis Lazuli Onyx Ruby Astrologically speaking, your place on the Zodiac is more meaningful than your birth month for tapping into your "power," which has led to the creation of the following list of "Star Stones" related to the star under which you were born, rather than the day. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) - Ruby, Agate, Garnet Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) - Garnet, Moss Agate, Opal, Amethyst, Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20) - Rock Crystal, Sapphire, Amethyst, Bloodstone Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 19) - Bloodstone, Diamond Taurus (Apr. 20-May 20) - Sapphire, Turquoise, Amber, Blood Coral, Emerald Gemini (May 21-Jun. 20) - Agate, Chrysoprase, Pearl Cancer (Jun. 21-Jul. 22) - Emerald, Moonstone, Pearl, Ruby Leo (Jul. 23-Aug. 22) - Tourmaline, Sardonyx, Onyx Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) - Jasper, Carnelian, Jade, Sapphire Libra (Sep. 23-Oct. 22) - Opal, Lapis Lazuli, Peridot Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) - Aquamarine, Topaz Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) - Sapphire, Amethyst, Turquoise, Topaz So whether you choose an emerald from the Breastplate of Aaron, a moonstone from Tibet's mystical birthstone list, an opal for its ayurvedic birthstone properties, or your very own "star sign" representative…may the force (of the birthstone) be with you! About The Author Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com. This article was posted on January 13, 2006   View More Videos from the "Women" category: Spring Forward Fashion Dressing for an Event - An Overview Beautiful Stranger with Federico at FIT in NY Spring 2011 New York Fashion Week: Edun   Read More Articles from the "Women" Category: Eyebrows - Tips For Tweezing by Mike Jones How to Apply Concealer the Right Way by Suzanne Bradley Buying Fashion Jewellery Online by Mandy Jones Undergoing the C-Section during Pregnancy by James Pendergraft Kegel Exerciser Helps Make Vaginal Muscles Strong by Andrew Rivano Hair 101 by Nicole Elizabeth Smith Chemical-Free Age Spot Remover - 3 Ingredients Turn Your Brown Spots Back to Beautiful Glowing Skin by Marcia Kruger What Wholesale Designer Bags Do For Your Appearance? by Rudy Silva Wedding Gown - Which one? by Jhong Ren 3 Romantic East Coast Destinations by Megan Hazel << Back to "Women" Index

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