Good evening ladies and gentlemen, Id just like to firstly say this will be a weekly blog on a Sunday evening around 9pm so bookmark us :) We also have a massive double giveaway over at Serendipity Jewellery until July 30th 9pm.
As we write this we are thinking about the significance gemstones have in each and everyone of our lives. From precious heirlooms to a seemingly worthless rock that signifies something memorable.
I have lots of fun pictures to share and knowledge of course!
Above is a table which shows quite clearly the Month the colour of the gem, what the gem is named, and the associated qualities of the stone or person born in that month. Just below you will also see an image stating which birth months correspond to the zodiac signs that are written in the stars and to this day spark inspiration and wonder around the world.
From what i can find it seem the history of birthstones originates in the first century. Jewish historian Josephus believed there was a connection between the twelve stones in Aaron's breastplate, 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, however, with Josephus himself giving two different lists for the twelve stones. (Kunz argues that Josephus saw the breastplate of the Second Temple, not the one described in Exodus). St. Jerome, referencing Josephus, said the Foundation Stones of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:19–20) would be appropriate for Christians to use. In the eighth and ninth century, religious treaties associating a particular stone with an apostle were written because the book of Revelation stated "their name would be inscribed on the Foundation Stones, and his virtue".Practice became to keep twelve stones and wear one a month. Wearing a single birthstone is only a few centuries old, although modern authorities differ on dates Kunz places the custom in eighteenth century Poland, while the Gemological Institute of America starts it in Germany in the 1560s.
Modern lists of birthstones have little to do with either the breastplate or the Foundation Stones of Christianity. Tastes, customs and confusing translations have distanced them from their historical origins, with one author calling the 1912 Kansas list "nothing but a piece of unfounded salesmanship."
Ancient traditional birthstones are society-based birthstones. The table below contains many stones which are popular choices, often reflecting Polish tradition.
The Gregorian calendar has poems matching each month with its birthstone. These are traditional stones of English-speaking societies. Tiffany & Co. published these poems "of unknown author" for the first time in a pamphlet in 1870
By her who in this month (January) is born
No gem save garnets should be worn;
They will ensure her constancy,
True friendship, and fidelity.
The February-born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they an amethyst will wear.
Who in this world of ours their eyes
In March first open shall be wise,
In days of peril firm and brave,
And wear a bloodstone to their grave.
She who from April dates her years,
Diamonds shall wear, lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow; this stone,
Emblem of innocence, is known.
Who first beholds the light of day
In spring's sweet flowery month of May
And wears an emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and happy wife.
Who comes with summer to this earth,
And owes to June her hour of birth,
With ring of agate on her hand
Can health, wealth, and long life command.
The glowing ruby shall adorn,
Those who in July are born;
Then they'll be exempt and free
From love's doubts and anxiety.
Wear a sardonyx or for thee,
No conjugal felicity;
The August-born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved and lone.
A maiden born when September leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze,
A sapphire on her brow should bind
`Twill cure diseases of the mind.
October's child is born for woe,
And life's vicissitudes must know,
But lay an opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.
Who first comes to this world below
With drear November's fog and snow,
Should prize the topaz's amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.
If cold December gave you birth,
The month of snow and ice and mirth,
Place on your hand a turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate'er you do.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Modern birthstones
In 1912, in an effort to standardize birthstones, the (American) National Association of Jewelers met in Kansas and officially adopted a list. The Jewelry Industry Council of America updated the list in 1952 by adding alexandrite to June and citrine to November; specifying pink tourmaline for October; replacing December's lapis with zircon; and switching the primary/alternative gems in March. The American Gem Trade Association added tanzanite as a December birthstone in 2002. Britain's National Association of Goldsmiths created their own standardized list of birthstones in 1937.
And i have one final piece of interesting information about of favourite and most popular gemstones.... They are different and surprisingly similar throughout different ancient cultures, which of course is where we find some of our Serendipity Inspiration.
I hope again, this was an interesting read for you! I certainly found the writing of the blog very enthralling!
Take care, Freya <3
Every creation we let free at Serendipity odds and Bobs is made by the mind of a broken heart, and from pain becomes great creativity. Each creation is designed using inspiration from all different cultures, time periods, fashions, styles and architecture from around the world. This means, especially as everything is made by my fair hand.... That each individual item is Truly unique and you will not find a similar design anywhere on this earth.
Sunday, 27 July 2014
Serendipity Gems: Zodiac and Birthstone History and Explainations
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