The Meaning Of Birth Stones - Which Stones Mean What?
By Helen Brown
Have you ever wondered which Birth Stone you should buy for a friend, workmate or relative? And what is their historical meaning? This article and the poster below will help explain it.
SEE ALSO: Our Flower and Birthstones Guide and Flower Meanings Guide (which lists the meanings of different flowers and even different coloured flowers ....)
About Birthstones....
A birthstone symbolizes the month of birth.
In 1912, the Jewelers of America agreed on a list of birthstones. The Jewelry Industry Council of America updated the list in 1952 by adding Alexandrite for June, Citrine for November and Pink Tourmaline for October. They also replaced December's lapis with Zircon and switched the primary/alternative gems for March.
The American Gem Trade Association added Tanzanite as a December birthstone in 2002. In 2016, the American Gem Trade Association and Jewelers of America added Spinel as an additional birthstone for August.
Britain's National Association of Goldsmiths created their own standardized list of birthstones in 1937.
Birthstones and The Book of Exodus, Zodiac
The first century Jewish historian Josephus believed there was a connection between the twelve stones in Aaron's breastplate (signifying the tribes of Israel, as described in the Book of Exodus), the twelve months of the year, and the twelve signs of the Zodiac.
Translations and interpretations of the passage in Exodus regarding the breastplate have varied widely, with Josephus himself giving two different lists for the twelve stones.
SOURCES:
WIKIPEDIA - BirthstonesSIMPLE WIKIPEDIA - Birthstones
Breastplate Image: WIKIPEDIA
SEE ALSO: Our Flower and Birthstones Guide and our Flower Meanings Guide (which lists the meanings of different flowers and even different coloured flowers ....)