Birthstone Legends and Meanings

During the Middle Ages, people consulted physicians for many different ailments, and the remedies prescribed varied according to the malady and according to the type of gemstone that would be used. Some illnesses required the patient to wear the stone on a specific portion of the anatomy. Others required gems to be taken internally - either swallowed whole, ground to a powder, or distilled in fruit juice to form a syrup.

Perhaps because of their rarity and costliness, gems were believed to be very powerful. Their inclusion in medicines often was a last line of defense, after other remedies had failed. The logic of this approach was impeccable. If a gravely ill patient recovered after a dose of some gemstone compound, credit was attributed to the stone. If, as was often the case, the patient died, no fault attached to the gem. Rather, the apothecary would shrug his shoulders and say that the disease was so far advanced that nothing could have cured it!

A gem's quality affected its success as a possible cure, and people purchased the best stones they could afford. Perhaps this explains why the poor died so much more often than the rich.

Scientific knowledge in the Middle Ages was scant, and it is not surprising that use of gemstones flourished in this superstition-riddled environment. In fact, as one writer observed:

". . .[gems] could scarcely have been overlooked by people who at one time or another swallowed pretty much everything, from dried snakes' eyes to the filings of a murderer's irons, in their quest for the unusual and costly with which to relieve and comfort themselves."

As with today's drugs, some gemstones were employed to cure a variety of conditions, while others were limited to very specific purposes. The most versatile gems were amber, coral, emerald, and pearl. Louis XIV of France regularly took pills made of pearl and coral, as prescribed by his personal physician.

In time, the practice of wearing many different gemstones as protection against illness and misfortune changed. Certain stones were designated "lucky" for certain people., based on birth, planetary influences, and other factors.

The custom of assigning a particular stone to a time, person, or group has a long history. In ancient Judea, the High Priest wore a breastplate set with stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel. Later, this same idea was used to symbolize the 12 Apostles of Christ. Gemstones have been assigned to the days of the week, the hours of the day, and the planets (signs of the zodiac). Eventually the tradition associating each month with a different gemstone (natal gems or birthstones) was conceived, becoming widespread in Poland during the 15th century.

Whether used as medicine or talisman, however, precious stones are surrounded by rich and fascinating lore. Stories of their origins were quite fanciful, often involving the gods in some form.

Amethyst, for example, supposedly came into being when Bacchus (god of wine) fell in love with a mortal maiden, Amethyst, who did not return his affections. Angered, Bacchus turned the unfortunate girl into a statue of clear stone. Later repenting of his actions but unable to restore her to life, he poured wine over her to turn her purple. Not exactly a useful apology.

Stories about garnets go back to the early bible. It was believed that Noah used a (very) large garnet to illuminate the interior of the Ark.

Detailed information about the curative uses of gemstones and some of the legends and beliefs is presented in the companion to this lens, Gem Talismans and Cures. There also is a section of actual recipes that you won't want to miss.

Before you head there, though, be sure to continue below to find not only your Natal Gem (birthstone), but also the gem for the Day of the Week you were born, your Seasonal gem, and designated Planetary Gems.

January: Garnet
February: Amethyst
March: Aquamarine, Bloodstone
April: Diamond
May: Emerald
June: Pearl, Moonstone
July: Ruby
August: Peridot or Sardonyx
September: Sapphire
October: Opal or Tourmaline
November: Topaz or Citrine
December: Turquoise or Zircon

Sunday: Pearl
Monday: Emerald
Tuesday: Topaz
Wednesday: Turquoise
Thursday: Sapphire
Friday: Ruby
Saturday: Amethyst

Summer: Ruby
Winter: Diamond
Autumn: Sapphire
Spring: Emerald

Moon: Pearl
Sun: Topaz
Mars: Ruby
Mercury: Amethyst
Jupiter: Sapphire
Saturn: Black Diamond
Venus: Emerald

Acknowledgements

In creating the artwork used in this lens I incorporated images provided to Wikipedia Commons by Rob Lavinsky Ph.D. and made available for public use. I am grateful to Dr. Lavinsky for his generosity and for his excellent photography.