The History and Tradition of Birthstone Rings

Since ancient times, rings have been recognized as a symbol of the relationship or link between the donor and the ring bearer. In some cultures, this was interpreted as a physical union of ownership and control. For example, in the ancient Greek myth of Prometheus, the god Zeus uses an unbreakable diamond ring forever bind Prometheus to a rock as punishment for giving the secret of fire to mankind.

Often, however, the ancient cultures recognize the ring as a symbol of emotional attachment. The perfect circle of a gold ring represents continuity, as in the eternal return of the seasons. The shape of a circle has always been a metaphor for loyalty, unity, eternity or perfection, and there are many examples of this in the prehistoric rock art. Birthstone rings evolved from this tradition.

Certain personality traits have always been associated with every stone and people whose birth month is represented by this gem. Legendary powers have been attributed to many birthstones birthstone rings were used to bring good luck to its owner.

Birthstone jewellery has a rich history in many cultures. Most scholars agree that the history and legend of birthstones originated from the Old Testament story of a garment worn by the high priest Aaron. Each stone represents one of the twelve tribes, one of the signs of the zodiac and one of the months of the year.

Over time, many of the birthstones have remained the same, with the birthstone colors of the same, and some have changed a bit since their exact origins are unknown in the original text, and some have interpreted to the proper minerals probably referred to that of the original text. Here’s a good site for birthstone rings.

Birthstone history and legends:

Garnet comes from the Greek word “granatum” meaning “pomegranate seed”. It is a symbol of many different religions. Ancient Hebrew legend, Garnet was one of the twelve stones in the breastplate of Aaron. Christians are seen as a symbol of the sacrifice of Christ. And the Koran says that the garnet illuminates the Fourth Heaven of Islam. Primitive cultures believed garnet could soften discord and avoid bloodshed.

Amethyst (February birthstone):

Ancients believed that amethyst would protect them from drunkenness. Its name is taken from the Greek “A-methystos” meaning “not drunk”. Legend has it that Bacchus, the Greek god of wine, was angry with mortals, and vowed the next mortal to cross his path would be eaten by tigers. At that moment, a young maiden named Amethyst was on her way to worship the goddess Diana. Diana, knowing of Bacchus plan turned Amethyst into a pillar of colorless quartz to save her from the teeth of the tiger. Bacchus, and this he repented and wept tears of wine over the young set, purple coloration.

Aquamarine (March birthstone):

Aquamarine comes from the Latin for “sea water”. It is said to offer the user vision, courage and happiness. The legend is that the sailors who carried to sea to keep them safe and prevent seasickness. It was also believed that the treasure of mermaids. Aquamarine is said to bring love, intelligence increase, and restore youth.

Diamond (April Birthstone):

The word diamond comes from the Greek “adamas” meaning “invincible.” The Greeks believed that diamonds were splintered star fallen to earth. The tradition of diamonds as a symbol of love comes from the Roman belief that Cupid’s arrows were tipped with them. But the tradition of the diamond engagement ring did not start until much later, when, in 1477, Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave one to Mary of Burgundy.

Emerald (May Birthstone):

The Roman scholar Pliny emeralds added because, in his words, “There is nothing green is greener”. The Moguls of those registered with the sacred texts of India and worn as amulets. A talisman such, a 78-carat emerald, says: “He who possesses this charm shall enjoy the special protection of God” in Persian. Cleopatra wanted emeralds more than any other gem, although it is now believed that his “emeralds” were actually peridot.

Alexandrite (June birthstone):

Alexandrite was discovered in 1830 in Russia. Like red and green, the colors of alexandrite, were also the colors of Imperial Russia, the stone was named after the Second Tsarevich Alexander, on his coming of age. Alexandrite is still believed to be a good omen in Russia.

June Birthstone: Pearl

Did you know?

The Greeks believed that pearls were the hardened tears of joy that the goddess of love shed from her eyes when born from the sea.

The Arabs believe that pearls were formed when oysters were lured from the depths of the ocean by the beautiful moon and then swallowed moonlit dewdrops.

The pearls are formed when an irritant, such as a small parasite or a fish lodges in the flesh of an oyster, mussel, or clam; the protective substance produced by the mollusk is called “nacre“.

The most popular places to find natural pearls are the waters in The Persian Gulf, Japan, the South Pacific Islands off northern Australia, and the coasts of Panama, Venezuela, and California.

Pearls are, by some believed to be an aphrodisiac.

Pearls are seen as a symbol of purity, and they are given to celebrate a marriage or the birth of a child.

Freshwater pearls are given on the 1st wedding anniversary.

Cultured pearls, almost 90% of the pearls on the market, are made when a human intentionally inserts foreign tissue into a living oyster.

Besides round pearls (most famous and wanted) there are also baroque pearls with an irregular shape.

There are also the so-called blister pearls that are grown attached to the inside of the shell.

The process of making a pearl may take as long as eight years to create a pearl.

Ultrasonic cleaners are great for cleaning some jewelry but is not recommended for pearls.

The pearls properties are considered to be truth and beauty.

The healing properties of the June birthstone – Pearl are effective for health problems relating to the heart, spleen, stomach, intestine & ulcer problems.

Different cultures throughout history have associated pearls with modesty, chastity, power, and courage.

The June birthstone comes in many shades from white through cream, grey, lavender, champagne, golden yellow, blue-mauve black and green.

Mikimoto pearls are the most famous Japanese pearls.

Although any shelled mollusk can make some kind of pearl, only certain clams, scallops, bailer shells, pen shells and abalones make pearls that are beautiful enough to be used in jewelry.

Throughout history, in areas where natural pearls were common, the gems were used as a means of financial exchange, withholding a great value.

Roman women wore pearls in their hair, sewn on clothes and shoes, and as jewelry because pearls were attributed to the Venus Goddess of Beauty.

Elizabeth Taylor now owns the perfect “La Pelegrina” pearl, the world’s most famous pearl.

Fashion icon Coco Channel was the first to introduce pearls as a fashion accessory for everyday wear; pearls were her signature design.

The oldest pearl jewelry is more than 4,300 years old, found in the Persian capital of Susa and now held in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Some Cultured pearls are produced from the Akoya oyster, so the term “Akoya Pearl” refers to a saltwater cultured pearl.

South Sea Pearls are the most expensive and rare cultured pearls. They have a golden color and are almost perfectly round.

The term South Sea Pearl refers to the waters off the coasts of Burma, Indonesia and French Polynesia in addition to Australia.

Long strands of pearls were a symbol of the roaring twenties and a celebration of the decade of decadence.

The Star of Asia (sometimes called the Pearl of Asia) is a very big teardrop-shaped pearl weighing nearly 14 pounds. The biggest pearl is actually the Pearl of Allah.

Ruby (July Birthstone):

The ruby ​​is said to bring wisdom, happiness, and health, and symbolizes success, devotion, and integrity. It is believed to bring good luck to the two lovers and players. The ruby ​​is said to help repair bad relationships and encourage stable.

Peridot (August birthstone):

Peridot is thought to ensure good luck, peace, and success. Cleopatra is said that what he thought were his “emeralds” were actually peridot. Legend has it that peridot was extracted for the first time in Egyptian Zeberget island, but only at night because it was believed that peridot could not be seen by day. Large peridots still decorate the chapel of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral.

Sapphire (September Birthstone):

Ancient Persians believed that the earth rested on a giant sapphire and reflection sapphire colored sky. While some writers ancient Hebrews believed that the Ten Commandments were written on sapphire. More recently, the engagement ring Prince Charles gave to Princess Diana was a sapphire ring.

Pink Tourmaline (October birthstone):

Tourmaline comes from the Sinhalese word “tourmalli” meaning “brownstone”. Tourmaline is thought to represent the fall because the colors red and green tourmaline some are reminiscent of the conversion of the leaves. This is the reason why it has become the stone of October.

Imperial Topaz (November birthstone):

Topaz comes from the Sanskrit “tapas” meaning “fire”. The Greeks believed it could increase the strength and the wearer invisible. The Romans believed they could improve eyesight. And the Egyptians believed that topaz amulet could protect the wearer from injury.

Blue Zircon (December birthstone):

Zircon, known to the ancients as hyacinth, provided that the bearer of wisdom, honor, and riches. For women who are believed to aid in childbirth, and for men who were believed to keep evil spirits and bad dreams away. Zircon lost its luster when it was thought that hazard warning.

Read: Facts About December’s Birthstones

Birthstones physical properties:

Science and spirituality often seem to get in the way, and the physics of birthstones are an outstanding example. Birthstones are some of the more dense crystalline substances on the planet, formed by millions of years of pressure from the earth’s crust. The charming birthstone colors are the result of the source item and the precise alignment of the crystals within the gem.

In a physical sense, birthstones and redirect focus energy along a path determined binoculars. The ancients believed that the use of birthstone rings transferred the power of the gem of each finger to a different area of ​​the body. The third finger of the left hand, for example, transfer of energy to the heart, so it is traditionally used for an engagement ring.

The modern laser was invented using a ruby, that ordinary light concentrated in a higher level of energy that can be directed by a coherent path, a dot that travels long distances without scattering.

Diamonds are the best-known high conductivity and are currently at the forefront of computer technology in the future.

If there is a physical reality that underlies the use of birthstone rings, may be summed up by the great psychologist Carl Jung, who said: “The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances, and if any reaction, both are transformed. “