What is the origin of birthstones?

Scholars trace the origin of birthstones back to the Breastplate of Aaron, as described in the Book of Exodus in the Bible. The Breastplate boasted 12 unique gemstones that represented the 12 tribes of Israel. It was a religious garment with specific symbolism regarding the tribes.

Where did the 12 birthstones come from?

Experts believe that birthstones can be traced back to the Bible. In Exodus 28, Moses sets forth directions for making special garments for Aaron, the High Priest of the Hebrews. Specifically, the breastplate was to contain twelve precious gemstones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel.

When did people start wearing birthstones?

The modern tradition of wearing one stone for their month of birth did not begin until the 16th century and originated in either Germany or Poland. This was the start of the birthstone trend we are familiar with today.

What is the rarest birthstones in the world?

The rarest of them all is red diamond which is arguably the rarest birthstone. It is estimated that there are about 20 to 30 red diamond specimens known with the most famous being the 5.1 carat Moussaieff Red.

Where does the Ayurvedic birthtone list come from?

Those are most notably the Mythical Birthstone List, which is of Tibetan origin and goes back well over one thousand years, and the Ayurvedic Birthstone List, which dates back to around 1500 BC and relates to Ayurvedic Indian medicine.

Where does the idea of birthstones come from?

The History of Birthstones The idea of birthstones – a gemstone assigned to each month of the year – is thought to be an ancient one, and scholars trace it back to the Breastplate of Aaron that was described in the book of Exodus in the Bible.

What kind of jewelry has a birthtone in it?

Birthstones are gemstones that are usually held in the form of jewelry, such as rings, necklaces or pendants. With the exception of a few organic gems, such as pearl, amber and coral, the majority of birthstones are minerals and it’s interesting to see which minerals are classed as gems and which are not.

Which is the most popular birthstone in the world?

Although garnet is commonly associated with the color red, these gemstones can be found in almost any color and are popular choices for jewelry of all types. That’s excellent news if you’re in the market for the January birthstone. The garnet family is one of the most complex in the gem world.