o you know your birthstone and would you wear it as a jewel? Gemstones have been associated with magic, medicine, power and romance for many centuries but linking a different gem with each month of the year is a much more modern concept, perhaps more of a marketing idea for canny jewellers than an ancient idea. Despite this, wearing the stone of your birth month is an appealing way to bring personalised jewellery into your life.
The earliest written list of birthstones was put together by the French jeweller Jean Henri Prosper Pouget in 1762. His list, particularly aimed at “women who believe in the legend”, linked each month to both a stone and a zodiac sign, suggesting that these could be engraved on the stone for maximum efficacy. January was the month for Aquarius, jacinth (red or yellow zircon) or garnet. February brought Pisces and amethyst, March had Taurus and red jasper and so on. It was a nice idea but not one which really caught on until the later part of the nineteenth century.
George Frederick Kunz, Tiffany and Co.’s resident gem expert, published a little book entitled Natal Stones: Sentiments and Superstitions Associated with Precious Stones in 1892 and gave the idea a new impetus. Kunz’s book not only listed the stones associated with the months but also the powers granted by wearing the right stone. Plus the relevant guardian angel, special apostle and flower of the month. Jacinth and garnet, recommended for the January-born, offered modesty or “grace and victory to the wearer”. Amethyst, the stone for February, provided the promise of deep love as well as the prevention of intoxication. He also supplied a little poem for each month. April’s rather dark offering reads:
