All sorts of magic and symbolic properties have been ascribed to gemstones through the ages; for example, the cat’s eye has been prescribed as a cure for paleness, citrine has been worn as a protection from danger, and the opal cherished as a symbol of hope. The result has been the creation of an intricate, chaotic, and contradictory but interesting mass of gem lore.
There is a very old silver breastplate that once was in an ancient synagogue and supposedly was modeled after the one worn by Aaron, the first high priest of the Hebrews.
In this plate are mounted twelve stones representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Among Christians, the Twelve Apostles also were represented symbolically by precious stones.
The Twelve Tribes:
Levi- Garnet,
Zebulon- Diamond,
Gad- Amethyst,
Benjamin- Jasper,
Simeon- Chrysolite,
Isaachar- Sapphire,
Naphtali- Agate,
Joseph- Onyx,
Reuben- Sard,
Judah- Emerald,
Dan- Topas,
Asher- Beril.
The Twelve Apostles:
Peter- Jasper,
Andrew- Sapphire,
James- Chalcedony,
John- Emerald,
Philip- Sardonyx,
Bartholomew- Sard,
Matthew- Chrysolite,
Thomas- Beryl,
James the Less- Topaz,
Jude- Chrysoprase,
Simon- Hyacinth,
Judas- Amethyst.
The number ‘12’ seems to follow a chain of gemstone superstitions. Gemstones were considered to have a mystical relationship not only with the Twelve tribes and the Twelve Apostles but also with the Twelve Angels, Twelve ranks of the Devil, and the Twelve Parts of the human body.
Some stones were even endowed with astrological significance and were believed to be in sympathy with the twelve zodiacal signs. On the basis of an elaborate system of prognostications, an astrologer was considered able to foretell future events to proper observance of changes in hue and brilliance of the symbolic stones.
Aries the Ram, BLOODSTONE
Tauras the Bull, SAPPHIRE
Gemini the Twins, AGATE
Cancer the Crab, EMERALD
Leo the Lion, ONYX
Virgo the Virgin, CARNELIAN
Libra the Scales, CHRYSOLITE
Scorpio the Scorpion, AQUAMARINE
Sagittarius the Archer, TOPAZ
Capricornus the Goat, RUBY
Aquarius the Water Bearer, GARNET
Pisces the Fishes, AMETHYST
Perhaps in our own space-oriented times the ancient superstitions sympathetically relating certain gemstones with the planets will be revived. In the distant past, moonstone, topaz, and other white stones were believed to be in sympathy with the Moon, diamond and ruby with the Sun, jasper and emerald with Mars, amethyst ,topaz, and emerald with Venus, carnelian, topaz, and amethyst with Jupiter, turquoise and sapphire with Saturn, and rock crystal , agate and emerald with Mercury. Since Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto were unknown to the ancients, these planets have not been represented by gemstones.
Of special interest to the American public are birthstones. Many birthstones lists have been proposed, and in order to use this idea to popularize gemstones the American jewelry industry has agreed upon on official list. This list has served to bring about some uniformity in the selection of birthstones for the twelve months.
January, GARNET
February, AMETHYST
March, AQUAMARINE or BLOODSTONE
April, DIAMOND
May, EMERALD
June, MOONSTONE or PEARL
July, RUBY
August, PERIDOT or SARDONYX
September, SAPPHIRE
October, OPAL or TOURMALINE
November, TOPAZ or CITRINE
December, TURQUOISE or LAPIS LAZULI
All these associations and strange beliefs have served to create in the general public a mental image of gemstones that gives to them an increased exoticism and mysterious appeal far exceeding their monetary value.