Using Birthstones
Many customers combine their birthstones into their engagement ring. This is a lovely idea as it gives a personal meaning behind the choice of gemstones.
There is a large choice of birthstones for any given month which is helpful when it comes to designing an engagement ring that has a pleasant combination of colours.
Information about Birthstones in Engagement Rings
Birthstones are stones that are associated with each month. They may be precious stones, such as diamonds, sapphires or rubies, or semi-precious, such as Lapiz Lazuli, zircon and garnet. In each case they are considered lucky for their particular months.
Birthstones have been used since at least the 1st century AD as a means of giving good luck on a special day such as a birthday.
Birthstone Choices
Birthstones have been used for centuries and different traditions have associated different gemstones with each month.
The Traditional Birthstone list contains older birthstones and is sometimes combined with the modern birthstone list to produce a list that many jeweller's use. These stones reflect societal birthstone traditions, heralding back to the 15th century. There is some debate as to the most accurate list of traditional birthstones and so you will find that jewellers may have differing lists for these birthstones. We have put together a chart of the various choices associated with each month.
The Mystical Birthstone list is of Tibetan origin from over a thousand years ago.
The Ayurvedic Birthstone list is from Ayurvedic Indian Medicine - medicine that has been used for over a thousand years.
The meaning behind Birthstones
Each birthstone has its own history, meanings, holistic properties and myths. They can be associated with folklore tales, biblical passages and other moments in history and each one has its own story.
| Birth Month | Meaning |
|---|---|
| January | Faith, Eternity, Truth |
| February | Luck, Wittiness, Health |
| March | Happiness, Understanding |
| April | Eternity, Courage, Health |
| May | Fidelity, Goodness, Love |
| June | Peace, Nobility, Beauty |
| July | Love, Enthusiasm, Strength |
| August | Success, Peace, Love |
| September | Serenity, Truth |
| October | Purity, Hope, Health |
| November | Wisdom, Courage, Sincerity |
| December | Love, Happiness, Luck |
Birthstone History
As religion developed throughout the world gemstones gained a high position in the customs of religious worship. Most gem experts agree that the traditional birthstone list arose from the Breastplate of Aaron. This is a ceremonial religious garment set with twelve gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of Israel and also corresponded with the twelve signs of the zodiac and the twelve months of the year.
The High Priest's breast plate is mentioned in Exodus in the Bible and it is said that the garment, worn on the chest of the high priest was designed by God himself. It was made from thread and metal and was set with three precious stones in four rows of three, each one engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The details of the exact stones used have been lost over time but it is believed to include sardius, topaz, emerald, sapphire, diamond, agate, amethyst, beryl (emerald and aquamarine), onyx and jasper.
In the New Testament the twelve foundation stones engraved with the names of the Apostles were based on the stones of this breastplate. These twelve stones were later applied to Christ himself and each given a specific meaning:
| Gemstone | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Jasper | Satisfaction |
| Sapphire | The Soul |
| Chalcedony | The Truth |
| Emerald | Kindness and Goodness |
| Sardonyx | Strength |
| Sardius | Readiness to shed his blood for the Church |
| Chrusolite | Excellence of his divine nature |
| Beryl (emerald & aquamarine) | Moderation and control of the passions |
| Topaz | Uprightness |
| Chrysophase | Sternness towards sinners |
| Jacinth | Dignity |
| Amethyst | Perfection |
It is these original associations that is most likely to be the starting point for the meanings that we now link to certain gemstones.
It wasn't until approximately 1,000 years later that the signs of the zodiacs were introduced by Egyptians and so the astrological gemstones were created.
Over the centuaries people have not always classify gemstones by mineral species as we do now, so there is some debate about which gemstones were set into the breastplate and why. Because of this difference, different cultures have created different birthstone lists. The modern list that you see available is the only recent list but some older lists still exist.
Regardless of the confusion as to which birthstone relates to which month, choosing your birthstone to be set into your engagement ring is a lovely way to bring in something personal to its design. Depending upon the ring's design and the birthstone choice, it could be the central stone or a smaller stone in the shank of the engagement ring.