From the earliest times and among all peoples there seem to have been
sentiments and superstitions connected with gems. The ancient use of
gems is proved by their being found in the oldest tombs of Egypt and by
their mention in the earliest books of the Bible, and no less ancient
seem to be the mystic properties and powers ascribed to them.
Not only was the power of driving away evil spirits and producing all
sorts of “luck” long attributed to them, but as late as the beginning of
the eighteenth century reputable physicians were accustomed to mix
fragments of them in their medicines and to use them as charms. The
study of the uses of gems in this way forms a subject of much interest,
but we may confine ourselves here simply to the custom which made a
particular gem appropriate to a corresponding month of the year.
The first arrangement of gems into a group of twelve of which we have
any record is that in the Book of Exodus. Here in the twenty-eighth
chapter, verses 17-19, are prescribed in order, twelve precious stones,
which shall be set in the breastplate of the High Priest. The list is
repeated in the thirty-ninth chapter of the same book, verses 10-12. In
the context it is prescribed that the stones shall be set in four rows
and that upon them shall be engraved the names of the Children of
Israel, one for each stone. As to the particular stones as they are
known to the modern world, which are indicated by the Hebrew words,
authorities differ, but in the authorized version of the Bible they are
given as follows:
Sardius, topaz, carbuncle,
Emerald, sapphire, diamond,
Ligure, agate, amethyst,
Beryl, onyx, jasper.
It is not probable, however, that these names indicate in each case the
corresponding stones of modern usage. Thus it is quite unlikely that the
Hebrews could have engraved a name upon the diamond even if they could
have obtained one of sufficient size. Again, the words emerald and
carbuncle are undoubtedly interchanged in the above list and the ancient
topaz is known to have been the modern chrysolite. In the revised
version the word jacinth is substituted for ligure and amber is given as
a marginal rendering for the same. There are also given marginal
renderings for others of the gems, as follows: ruby for sardius, emerald
for carbuncle, carbuncle for emerald, sardonyx for diamond, chalcedony
for beryl, and beryl for onyx. The modern equivalents of the terms
recognized by secret orders which use them in symbolism are:
Carnelian, chrysolite, emerald,
Ruby, lapis-lazuli, onyx,
Sapphire, agate, amethyst,
Topaz, beryl, jasper.
Two lists of precious stones quite similar to those of the Book of
Exodus are given in other places in the Bible, one in Ezekiel 28:13,
where “every precious stone” is said to have been the covering of the
King of Tyre, and again in Revelation 21:19-20, where twelve different
precious stones are mentioned as garnishing the foundations of the wall
of the Holy City. The names and order of these in Ezekiel are, in the
authorized version, as follows:
Sardius, topaz, diamond,
Beryl, onyx, jasper,
Sapphire, emerald, carbuncle.
To these the Septuagint adds the following:
Chrysolite, ligure, agate.
The revised version gives marginally, ruby for sardius, carbuncle for
emerald, and emerald for carbuncle. In Revelation the list as given in
the authorized version reads as follows—
Jasper, sapphire, chalcedony,
Emerald, sardonyx, sardius,
Chrysolite, beryl, topaz,
Chrysoprase, jacinth, amethyst.
The marginal renderings give lapis-lazuli for sapphire and sapphire for
jacinth.
[Illustration: BIRTH STONES.
GEMS LOANED BY FREDERICK J. ESSIG.]
Top row:
Garnet (January.)
Amethyst (February.)
Bloodstone (March.)
Second row:
Diamond (April.)
Emerald (May.)
Agate (June.)
Third row:
Ruby (July.)
Sardonyx (August.)
Sapphire (September.)
Fourth row:
Opal (October.)
Topaz (November.)
Turquoise (December.)
Though in each of these lists only twelve precious stones are mentioned,
there is nothing to indicate that their use was in any way connected
with the months of the year. Just when it became the custom to designate
each month by a particular gem or how the custom originated is
impossible to determine. The custom seems to have sprung up in modern
Europe some time during the fifteenth or sixteenth century. Whether it
originated in the twelve gems of Aaron’s breastplate as many believe, or
was introduced by astrologers from the Arabians as others think, is not
yet known.
The modern practice of considering the stone of each month especially
appropriate to persons born in that month is probably still more recent
in its origin. In former times gems could be possessed only by rulers or
the very wealthy, so that their general use in the above manner was not
possible. But now that nearly every one can own a gem of some kind the
possession of “birth stones” and the attachment of special sentiments to
them has become common. The custom is a pretty one, and is to be
commended, for the stones are imperishable and the sentiments ascribed
to them represent the accumulated traditions of many ages, races and
peoples.
As to the particular stone which is to be considered appropriate to each
month usages differ. Such differences have doubtless arisen from the
desire to introduce gems which were formerly little known or
unattainable on account of their cost, as substitutes for stones
formerly prized but now held of little value. Thus the precious opal now
much admired was hardly known in former times. By some it is now used as
the birth stone of the month of October, while others retain the beryl.
The diamond has been introduced in modern practice in quite a similar
way. The carnelian and chrysolite by some still used for the months of
August and September are stones held of little worth at present, and
hence others are usually substituted. The particular order and kind of
stones adopted in the accompanying plate is given in accordance with
some verses quoted in a pamphlet first published by Tiffany & Company,
of New York, in 1870. The author of the verses is not known, nor is it
known by just what authority these gems were chosen. The choice,
however, seems as satisfactory as could be made. Some of the verses have
been quoted in previous numbers of this magazine, but they may here be
given entire: