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Antique and Vintage Jewellery Lecture:
Precious Gems and Their Significance
Jewellery featuring birthstones and monthstones has roots in various traditions - Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Pagan. These beliefs link certain gemstones to specific months, astrological signs, Tribes of Israel, and Apostles, and ascribe them with healing properties for various social, psychological, metaphysical, and sometimes medical conditions.
While we don't necessarily endorse these claims, they certainly spark fascinating discussions. It's important to note that purchasing a gemstone for such reasons is a personal choice, and Adin cannot be held liable if the outcomes aren't as hoped for.
Birthstones or monthstones
Each month's birthstone or monthstone is traditionally associated with a particular gemstone, influenced by customs, religious practices, and superstitions.
In the 18th century, the assignment of stones to months became popular, primarily based on the colours of the stones. Due to colour similarities among different stones, this led to confusion. To clarify, in 1937, the National Association of Goldsmiths of Great Britain established a standardised list, including alternatives for more expensive stones.
Birthstones list for:
British Commonwealth and United States
January birthstone
February birthstone
March birthstones
- aquamarine and its alternative jasper (or bloodstone)
- our jewellery with aquamarine and our jewellery with jasper / bloodstone
- characteristics attributed to people born in March
April birthstones
- diamond and its alternative rock crystal
- our jewellery with diamond and our jewellery with rock crystal
- characteristics attributed to people born in April
May birthstones
- emerald and its alternative chrysoprase
- our jewellery with emerald and our jewellery with chrysoprase
- characteristics attributed to people born in May
June birthstones
- pearl and its alternative moonstone
- our jewellery with pearl and our jewellery with moonstone
- characteristics attributed to people born in June
July birthstones
- ruby and its alternatives carnelian and onyx
- our jewellery with ruby, our jewellery with cornelian and our jewellery with onyx
- characteristics attributed to people born in July
August birthstones
- peridot and its alternative sardonyx
- our jewellery with peridot and our jewellery with sardonyx
- characteristics attributed to people born in August
September birthstones
- sapphire and its alternative lapis lazuli
- our jewellery with sapphire and our jewellery with lapis lazuli
- characteristics attributed to people born in September
October birthstones
- opal and its alternative tourmaline
- our jewellery with opal and our jewellery with tourmaline
- characteristics attributed to people born in October
November birthstones
- topaz and its alternative citrine
- our jewellery with topaz and our jewellery with citrine
- characteristics attributed to people born in November
December birthstone
Birthstones list for:
the European Continent
January to December: Similar to the above list, with specific differences in alternatives for June (Moonstone and Opal) and July (Ruby).
January birthstone
February birthstone
March birthstones
- aquamarine and its alternative jasper (or bloodstone)
- our jewellery with aquamarine and our jewellery with jasper / bloodstone
- characteristics attributed to people born in March
April birthstones
May birthstones
June birthstones
- moonstone and its alternative opal
- our jewellery with moonstone and our jewellery with opal
- characteristics attributed to people born in June
July birthstones
August birthstones
- peridot and its alternative sardonyx
- our jewellery with peridot and our jewellery with sardonyx
- characteristics attributed to people born in August
September birthstones
October birthstones
- opal and its alternative tourmaline
- our jewellery with opal and our jewellery with tourmaline
- characteristics attributed to people born in October
November birthstones
- topaz and its alternative citrine
- our jewellery with topaz and our jewellery with citrine
- characteristics attributed to people born in November
December birthstone
Birthday stones
These stones, often used synonymously with birthstones, have their own list based on the day of the week of birth. Intriguingly, the time zone where one is born, along with Daylight Saving Time, can influence the recorded birth date. For example, births in different time zones like Samoa and the Line Islands can lead to a recorded birthdate difference of a day or two, despite only a few hours separating the actual times of birth. Moreover, those living in different time zones from their birthplace typically celebrate birthdays according to local time. Daylight Saving Time adds another layer of complexity, where the birth order can be recorded differently due to the time change, although this does not affect the actual age difference between twins.
Monday birthday stone
- pearl
- our jewellery with pearl (the only organic gem)
Tuesday birthday stone
Wednesday birthday stone
Thursday birthday stone
Friday birthday stone
Saturday birthday stone
Sunday birthday stone
Zodiac stones
Astrology has a long history across many cultures. Zodiac stones are linked to astrological signs, each with its associated gemstones.
Capricorn (the Goat)
- December 22 to January 20
- ruby and moonstone
- our jewellery with ruby and our jewellery with moonstone
Aquarius (the Water Bearer)
- January 21 to February 19
- garnet and sapphire
- our jewellery with garnet and our jewellery with sapphire
Pisces (the Fish)
- February 20 to March 20
- amethyst and chrysolite
- our jewellery with amethyst, our jewellery with chrysolite
Aries (the Ram)
- March 21 to April 20
- jasper (also called bloodstone) and diamond
- our jewellery with jasper / bloodstone, our jewellery with diamond
Taurus (the Bull)
- April 21 to May 21
- sapphire and moss agate
- our jewellery with sapphire, our jewellery with moss agate
Gemini (the Twins)
- May 22 to June 21
- agate and beryl
- our jewellery with agate, our jewellery with beryl
Cancer (the Crab)
- June 22 to July 22
- emerald
- our jewellery with emerald
Leo (the Lion)
- July 23 to August 23
- onyx and ruby
- our jewellery with onyx, our jewellery with ruby, our jewellery with diamond
Virgo (the Virgin)
- August 24 to September 23
- carnelian and opal
- our jewellery with carnelian, our jewellery with opal
Libra (the Scales)
- September 24 to October 23
- chrysolite and opal
- our jewellery with chrysolite, our jewellery with opal
Scorpio (the Scorpion)
- October 24 to November 22
- aquamarine and topaz
- our jewellery with aquamarine, our jewellery with topaz
Sagittarius (the Archer)
- November 23 to December 21
- turquoise and carbuncle
- our jewellery with turquoise, our jewellery with carbuncle
The Twelve Tribes of Israel
The term 'Israelites' denotes the nation of Israel, the predominant cultural and ethnic group in the southern Levant during Biblical times, spanning 1273 to 423 BCE. This era included the establishment of the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah post 797 BCE. The Tanakh reveals that they were segregated into twelve tribes, each tracing its lineage to one of Jacob's twelve sons and grandsons. This ancestral link is a shared heritage among modern Jews.
These tribes, referred to in Hebrew as 'shevet' or 'mateh' (literally translating to 'staff' or 'rod'), were traditional family divisions. In English, these divisions are often called 'tribes', though they weren't small, isolated, distinct ethnic groups in the contemporary sense of the word.
Levi
Zebulon
Gad
Benjamin
- jasper (also called bloodstone)
- our jewellery with jasper / bloodstone
Simeon
Issachar
Naphtali
Joseph
Rueben
Judah
Dan
Asher
More info on the Twelve tribes of Israel
The Twelve Apostles
In Christian tradition, as narrated in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), the Twelve Apostles were disciples chosen, named, and trained by Jesus of Nazareth for a specific mission. Following the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, the remaining Apostles, led by Simon Peter, selected Matthias by lot to fill the vacancy, thus maintaining their number at twelve in time for the Holy Spirit's arrival at Pentecost.
Peter
- jasper (also called bloodstone)
- our jewellery with jasper / bloodstone
Andrew
James
John
Philip
Bartholomew
Matthew
Thomas
James the Less
Jude
Simon
Judas
More info on the Twelve Apostles
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