GEMSTONES BIRTHSTONES

A Modern Navaratna Jewel

Birthstones have always been a fascinating aspect of the coloured gemstone and jewellery world. They derive from man’s early belief regarding the relationship between the time of birth to the position of the planets.

Wearing a specific gemstone for good luck or as protection against illness eventually developed into the modern birthstone system that we are familiar with today.

The modern birthstone system in the west originates from the early 1st century writings of Josephus and later of St. Jerome in the 5th century AD. Both trace the custom to the gemstones found in the Breastplate of the Hebrew High Priest. Over time the custom died out but was revived again in Poland in the 1700s.

Zodiac Gems

Before the modern 12-month calendar was invented, astrologers assigned various coloured gemstones to the 12 signs of the astral zodiac based on their symbolism and alleged metaphysical powers that each gemstone was believed to possess.

Sign	Sign	Zodiac Stone		Sign	Sign	Zodiac Stone
	Capricorn Dec. 22–Jan. 20	Ruby			Cancer June 22–July 22	Emerald
	Aquarius Jan. 21–Feb. 21	Garnet			Leo July 23–August 22	Onyx
	Pisces Feb. 22–March 21	Amethyst			Virgo August 23–Sept. 22	Carnelian
	Aries March 22–April 20	Bloodstone			Libra Sept. 23–Oct. 23	Peridot
	Taurus April 21–May 21	Sapphire			Scorpio Oct. 24–Nov. 21	Beryl
	Gemini May 22–June 21	Agate			Sagittarius Nov. 22–Dec. 21	Topaz

Indian Planetary Gemmology

Ancient beliefs in India regarding the planets and their relationships with various coloured gemstones is also found. This has developed into “planetary gemmology.” In such birthstone systems there are nine planets and nine different gemstones. Sometimes jewellery is made using one each of these gems. These are termed navaratnajewels (nava = nine; ratna = jewel).

Sign	Planet	Hindu Planetary Stone		Sign	Planet	Hindu Planetary Stone
	Sun	Ruby			Venus	Diamond
	Moon	Pearl			Saturn	Blue Sapphire
	Mars	Coral			Rahu (moon’s north node)	Hessonite Garnet
	Mercury	Emerald			Ketu (moon’s south node)	Cat’s Eye
	Jupiter	Yellow Sapphire

A Gem for all seasons

One can also select gemstones according to the season, as listed below:

Choosing a Birthstone

There are clearly a large variety of birthstone choices, depending on religion, culture and nationality etc. But which one is right for you? We suggest that, if none of the above birthstones strikes your fancy then simply choose a personal gemstone that is special to you such as your zodiac sign.