History of birthstones

Birthstones are a fun and popular way to introduce people to the world of gemstones. They are associated with each month of the year and are believed to carry secrets, attributes, and lore that are unique to each gemstone. The idea of birthstones dates back to biblical times when the twelve gemstones of the breastplate of Aaron corresponded originally to the twelve tribes of Israel.

In Western culture, birthstones originated from a story in the holy bible, specifically the book of Exodus. In Eastern culture, birthstones are more closely associated with astrology and the zodiac signs. For instance, the Hindu tradition creates an astrological chart for each person at the time of their birth. It comprises constellations, the moon, the sun, and the planets.

Birthstones have become very popular for gift-givers and gem-lovers for their dazzling array of colors and personal sentiment they can represent. In modern tradition, there are one to three gemstones representing every birth month of the year, each with its own history and legends behind it.