and is not given in any of the lists of birth-stones before the last
century, and as diamonds, like gold and platinum, may easily be used as
accessories to other stones, would it not perhaps be better to omit the
diamond from the list of the stones of the months, and rather use these
gems as a bordering or other ornate addition to the stone of the month?
The pearl, which is not a stone in any sense of the word, should not
appear in the list at all; but it can be worn in some device suggesting
a sentiment, as, for instance, an emblem of purity, etc.
The tourmaline, as a gem only known in modern times or since the
eighteenth century, seems out of place in the list of birth-stones,
which ought only to comprise precious or semi-precious stones which
have been known and worn from ancient times.
“Astral stones” or “zodiacal stones” are terms used to designate those
gems which were believed to be peculiarly and mystically related to the
zodiacal signs. While these signs constitute a twelve-fold division of
the year just as do the months, they do not exactly coincide with the
latter as now reckoned, but overlap them, so that the sign Aquarius,
for instance, covers the period from January 21 to February 20, that of
Pisces from February 21 to March 20, that of Aries, the spring sign,
from March 21 to April 20, and so on down to Capricornus, which begins
at the winter solstice. Thus, every necessary opportunity is afforded
for enlarging the selection of natal stones while preserving the
traditional order of those appropriate to the months, an order which
in its origin dates back to the early Christian centuries and which,
from the close relation with the sacred gems of the Scriptures, it
seems almost sacrilegious to violate by arbitrary changes.
[Illustration: CARNELIAN, ENGRAVED WITH THE ZODIACAL SIGNS, TAURUS, LEO
AND CAPRICORN; IN THE CENTRE A SIX-RAYED STAR, THE FORM OF ONE OF THESE
RAYS DENOTING A COMET. (See p. 341.)
Referred to the nativity of Augustus and to a comet which appeared
shortly after the assassination of Julius Cæsar. From De Mairan’s
“Lettres au R. P. Parrenin,” Paris, 1770, opp. p. 274.]
Then, in addition, we have the “talismanic gems,” or the stones of the
twelve guardian angels, one set over all those born in each month.
Here we have another time-honored list, differing from either of those
mentioned above, so that, in almost if not quite every case, each
person has the choice between three different stones as “birth-stones,”
or can have them combined in an artistic jewel so as to profit by all
the favorable influences promised by the old authorities Thus, there
is absolutely no excuse for playing fast and loose with an ancient,
popular, and quasi-religious belief in the special virtue of _one
particular stone_ for each month, and that one the gem long prescribed
by usage
As it might seem appropriate that one born in the United States should
wear a gem from among those which our country furnishes, the following
list was some time since prepared by the writer, not in any sense as a
substitute for the real birth-stones, but as possible accessory gems
(when they were not identical), gems which might be worn from a spirit
of patriotism Of course where the stone in question is really that
traditionally recommended, the fact that it is at the same time an
American gem-stone is an added argument in its favor
Month. Stones. Where found.
January Garnet, rhodolite Montana, New Mexico, Arizona,
North Carolina
February Amethyst North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia
March Californite California
April Sapphire Montana, Idaho
May Green tourmaline Lake Superior
June Moss-agate California, Montana, Wyoming, Arizona
July Turquoise New Mexico, California, Arizona
August Golden beryl California, Connecticut,
North Carolina
September Kunzite California
October Aquamarine North Carolina, Maine, California
November Topaz Utah, California, Maine
December Rubellite Montana
The year is divided into four seasons or cycles,—spring, summer, fall,
and winter,—and each season has its particular gem The emerald is the
gem of the spring, the ruby the gem of summer, the sapphire the gem of
autumn, and the diamond the gem of winter
For spring, no precious stone is more appropriate than the emerald.
Its beautiful color is that of Nature, for Nature clothes herself with
green when she awakens from her long rest of winter. Having decked
herself with green of the various tints and colors, she has selected
a background by which a contrast is made for the flowers that come in
the spring and summer and ripen into fruit and seeds of autumn. To be a
seasonable gem it must be rare, and the emerald is rare. Whether found
in the mines of Bogotá, whether mined in ancient times at Zabarah in
Egypt, or in the past century in the Ural Mountains, it has never been
found in abundance. It is softer in color than the ruby and less hard
in structure.
The ruby, although as a natal stone it belongs to December, is the gem
of summer. It is born in the hot climates,—the pigeon’s-blood ruby in
Burma, the pomegranate-red in Ceylon, and the more garnet-hued type
in Siam,—these three equatorial countries produce the ruby. Those
of large size are always rare, and this is the gem which Job valued
more highly than any other, although “garnet” may perhaps be a better
rendering. It is on an equal plane in hardness, in composition, in
crystalline structure, and in every way, with the sapphire. These are
sister gems, structurally alike, yet varying in complexion, due to a
slight difference which some scientists think is not even dependent
upon the coloring matter.
The sapphire—the gem of autumn, the blue of the autumn sky—is a
symbol of truth, sincerity, and constancy. Less vivid than its sister
gem, the ruby, it typifies calm and tried affection, not ardent
passion; it is therefore appropriate to the autumn season, when the
declining sun no longer sends forth the fiery rays of summer but shines
with a tempered brilliancy.
The diamond, the gem of winter, typifying the sun, is the gem of
light. Its color is that of ice, and as the dewdrop or the drop of
water from a mountain stream sparkles in the light of the sun, as the
icicle sparkles in winter, and the stars on a cold winter night, so
the diamond sparkles, and it combines and contrasts with all known
gems. Like light, it illumines them just as the sun does the plants
of the earth. The diamond, the gem of light, like light itself when
broken into a spectrum, gives us all known colors, and by combining all
these colors it gives us white. Like gold, the diamond was made rare,
so that it must be searched for, and the mines and deposits contain
less of these two substances in a given area than of any other known
materials. It is thirty to a hundred times more rare than gold, for if
gold occurs one part in 250,000, it can scarcely be worked with profit,
while the diamond can be worked to advantage when found only one part
in 10,000,000,—yes, even one part in 25,000,000—and, like gold, it
sometimes spurs the searcher on to wealth or to ruin. As great nuggets
of gold have occasionally been found, so has a diamond been discovered
large enough to make the greatest ruler pause to pay its price, and one
which it took an entire country to give to that ruler who sways his
sceptre over countries in which the world’s greatest diamonds have been
found.
When the God of the Mines called his courtiers to bring him all known
gems, he found them to be of all colors and tints, and of varying
hardnesses, such as the ruby, emerald, sapphire, etc., etc. He took
one of each; he crushed them; he compounded them, and said: “Let this
be something that will combine the beauty of all; yet it must be pure,
and it must be invincible.” He spoke: and lo! the diamond was born,
pure as the dewdrop and invincible in hardness; but when its ray
is resolved in the spectrum, it displays all the colors of the gems
from which it was made. “Mine,” said the god, “must be the gem of the
universe; for my queen I will create one that shall be the greatest gem
of the sea,” and for her he created the pearl.
Gems of Spring Gems of Summer
Amethyst Zircon
Green diamond Garnet (demantoid and ouvarite)
Chrysoberyl Chrysoberyl (alexandrite)
Spinel (rubicelle) Spinel
Pink topaz Pink topaz
Olivine (peridot) Ruby
Emerald Fire opal
Gems of Autumn Gems of Winter
Hyacinth Diamond
Topaz Rock-crystal
Sapphire White sapphire
Jacinth Turquoise
Cairngorm Quartz
Adamantine spar Moonstone
Tourmaline Pearl
Oriental chrysolite Labradorite
SENTIMENTS OF THE MONTHS
JANUARY
_Natal stone_ Garnet.
_Guardian angel_ Gabriel.
_His talismanic gem_ Onyx.
_Special apostle_ Simon Peter.
_His gem_ Jasper.
_Zodiacal sign_ Aquarius.
_Flower_ Snowdrop.
No gems save garnets should be worn
By her who in this month is born;
They will insure her constancy,
True friendship and fidelity.
The gleaming garnet holds within its sway
Faith, constancy, and truth to one alway.
FEBRUARY
_Natal stone_ Amethyst.
_Guardian angel_ Barchiel.
_His talismanic gem_ Jasper.
_Special apostle_ Andrew.
_His gem_ Carbuncle.
_Zodiacal sign_ Pisces.
_Flower_ Primrose.
The February-born may find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If she an amethyst will wear.
Let her an amethyst but cherish well,
And strife and care can never with her dwell.
MARCH
_Natal stone_ Jasper, bloodstone.
_Guardian Angel_ Malchediel.
_His talismanic gem_ Ruby.
_Special apostles_ James and John.
_Their gem_ Emerald.
_Zodiacal sign_ Aries.
_Flower_ Ipomœa, violet.
Who on this world of ours her eyes
In March first opens may be wise,
In days of peril firm and brave,
Wears she a bloodstone to her grave.
Who wears a jasper, be life short or long,
Will meet all dangers brave and wise and strong.
APRIL
_Natal stone_ Diamond, sapphire.
_Guardian angel_ Ashmodei.
_His talismanic gem_ Topaz.
_Special apostle_ Philip.
_His gem_ Carnelian.
_Zodiacal sign_ Taurus.
_Flower_ Daisy.
She who from April dates her years
Diamonds should wear, lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow This stone
Emblem of innocence is known.
Innocence, repentance—sun and shower—
The diamond or the sapphire is her dower.
MAY
_Natal stone_ Emerald.
_Guardian angel_ Amriel.
_His talismanic gem_ Carbuncle.
_Special apostle_ Bartholomew.
_His gem_ Chrysolite.
_Zodiacal sign_ Gemini.
_Flower_ Hawthorn.
Who first beholds the light of day
In spring’s sweet flow’ry month of May,
And wears an emerald all her life,
Shall be a loved and happy wife.
No happier wife and mother in the land
Than she with emerald shining on her hand.
JUNE
_Natal stone_ Agate.
_Guardian angel_ Muriel.
_His talismanic gem_ Emerald.
_Special apostle_ Thomas.
_His gem_ Beryl.
_Zodiacal sign_ Cancer.
_Flower_ Honeysuckle.
Who comes with summer to this earth,
And owes to June her hour of birth,
With ring of agate on her hand
Can health, long life, and wealth command.
Thro’ the moss-agate’s charm, the happy years
Ne’er see June’s golden sunshine turn to tears.
JULY
_Natal stone_ Turquoise.
_Guardian angel_ Verchiel.
_His talismanic gem_ Sapphire.
_Special apostle_ Matthew.
_His gem_ Topaz.
_Zodiacal sign_ Leo.
_Flower_ Water-lily.
The heav’n-blue turquoise should adorn
All those who in July are born;
For those they’ll be exempt and free
From love’s doubts and anxiety.
No other gem than turquoise on her breast
Can to the loving, doubting heart bring rest.
AUGUST
_Natal stone_ Carnelian.
_Guardian angel_ Hamatiel.
_His talismanic gem_ Diamond.
_Special apostle_ James, the son of Alpheus.
_His gem_ Sardonyx.
_Zodiacal sign_ Virgo.
_Flower_ Poppy.
Wear a carnelian or for thee
No conjugal felicity;
The August-born without this stone,
’Tis said, must live unloved, alone.
She, loving once and always, wears, if wise,
Carnelian—and her home is paradise.
SEPTEMBER
_Natal stone_ Chrysolite.
_Guardian angel_ Tsuriel.
_His talismanic gem_ Jacinth.
_Special apostle_ Lebbeus Thaddeus.
_His gem_ Chrysoprase.
_Zodiacal sign_ Libra.
_Flower_ Morning-glory.
A maid born when September leaves
Are rustling in the autumn breeze,
A chrysolite on brow should bind—
’Twill cure diseases of the mind.
If chrysolite upon her brow is laid,
Follies and dark delusions flee afraid.
OCTOBER
_Natal stone_ Beryl.
_Guardian angel_ Bariel.
_His talismanic gem_ Agate.
_Special apostle_ Simon. (Zelotes.)
_His gem_ Jacinth.
_Zodiacal sign_ Scorpio.
_Flower_ Hops.
October’s child is born for woe,
And life’s vicissitudes must know;
But lay a beryl on her breast,
And Hope will lull those woes to rest.
When fair October to her brings the beryl,
No longer need she fear misfortune’s peril.
NOVEMBER
_Natal stone_ Topaz.
_Guardian angel_ Adnachiel.
_His talismanic gem_ Amethyst.
_Special apostle_ Matthias.
_His gem_ Amethyst.
_Zodiacal sign_ Sagittarius.
_Flower_ Chrysanthemum.
Who first comes to this world below
With drear November’s fog and snow
Should prize the topaz’s amber hue—
Emblem of friends and lovers true.
Firm friendship is November’s, and she bears
True love beneath the topaz that she wears.
DECEMBER
_Natal stone_ Ruby.
_Guardian angel_ Humiel.
_His talismanic gem_ Beryl.
_Special apostle_ Paul.
_His gem_ Sapphire.
_Zodiacal sign_ Capricornus.
_Flower_ Holly.
If cold December give you birth—
The month of snow and ice and mirth—
Place on your hand a ruby true;
Success will bless whate’er you do.
December gives her fortune, love and fame
If amulet of rubies bear her name.
[Illustration: 1. Moss agate mocha stone, Hindoostan.
2. Moss agate, Brazil, S. A.]
A HINDU LIST OF GEMS OF THE MONTHS[437]
April Diamond
May Emerald
June Pearl
July Sapphire
August Ruby
September Zircon
October Coral
November Cat’s-eye
December Topaz
January Serpent-stone
February Chandrakanta
March The gold Siva-linga
When the zodiacal signs were engraved on gems to give them special
virtues and render them of greater efficacy for those born under a
given sign, the Hebrew characters designating the sign (or at least the
initial character) were often cut upon the gem. As the letters in which
the earliest of our sacred writings were written, a peculiar sanctity
was often ascribed to these Hebrew characters, which were perhaps the
more highly valued that they were unknown to the owners of the gems,
and hence possessed a certain air of mystery for them. The subjoined
list of the signs with the Hebrew equivalents may be of interest on
this account.
HEBREW NAMES OF THE SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC
Libra מאזנים Moznayim
Scorpio עקרב ‘Akrab
Sagittarius קשׁת Ḳeshet
Capricornus גדי Gedi
Aquarius דלי Deli
Pisces דלים Dagim
Aries טלה Ṭaleh
Taurus שׁור Shor
Gemini תאומים Te’omim
Cancer סריה Sartan
Leo אריה Aryeh
Virgo בתולה Betulah
GEMS OF WEEK DAYS
Sunday: Topaz—diamond.
The bairn that is born
On Sonnan’s sweet day
Is blithe and is bonnie,
Is happy and gay.
Sunday’s talismanic gem: the pearl.
Monday: Pearl—crystal.
The bairn that is born
Of Monan’s sweet race
Is lovely in feature
And fair in the face.
Monday’s talismanic gem: the emerald.
[Illustration: THE FIGURES OF THE PLANETS WITH THEIR SIGNIFICANT STONES.
Old print showing the Roman types of the days of the week and also the
stones and zodiacal signs associated with each day. Here we have Diana,
with the sign of Cancer and the moonstone, for Monday; Mars, with the
sign Capricorn and the jasper, for Tuesday; Mercury, with Gemini and
the rock-crystal, for Wednesday; Jupiter, with Sagittarius and Pisces
and the carnelian, for Thursday; Venus, with Taurus and the emerald,
for Friday; and Saturn, with Capricorn and Aquarius and the turquoise,
for Saturday.]
Tuesday: Ruby—emerald.
If Tuisco assists
And at birth keeps apace,
The bairn will be born
With a soul full of grace.
Tuesday’s talismanic gem: the topaz.
Wednesday: Amethyst—loadstone.
But if Woden be there,
Many tears will he sow,
And the bairn will be born
But for sadness and woe.
Wednesday’s talismanic gem: the turquoise.
Thursday: Sapphire—carnelian.
Jove’s presence at birth
Means a long swath to mow,
For if born on Thor’s day
Thou hast far, far to go.
Thursday’s talismanic gem: the sapphire.
Friday: Emerald—cat’s-eye.
If Venus shall bless thee,
Thou shalt bless many living;
For Friga’s bairn truly
Is loving and giving.
Friday’s talismanic gem: the ruby.
Saturday: Turquoise—diamond.
Seater-daeg’s bairn
In sweat shall be striving,
For Saturn has doomed it
To work for a living.
Saturday’s talismanic gem: the amethyst.
No gems have afforded more interest to the Oriental peoples than
those that are known as phenomenal gems; that is, such as exhibit a
phenomenal quality, either as a moving line as in the chrysoberyl
cat’s-eye, or the quartz cat’s-eye, or as a star, a class represented
by the star-sapphire and the star-ruby, all these being considered to
bring good fortune to the wearer. A splendid star-sapphire is in the
hilt of the sword presented as an Easter gift to King Constantine of
Greece, then Prince Constantine, by the Greeks of America, on Easter
Day 1913.[438] This ornate and beautiful sword was made by Tiffany &
Co. Then there is the alexandrite cat’s-eye which, in addition to its
chatoyant effect, changes from green to red, showing its natural color
by day and glowing with a ruddy hue by artificial light. The cat’s-eye
effect here is caused by a twinning of the crystal; that is, when the
gem is cut, with a dome, across the twinning line, this shows itself
as a smooth band of white light, with a translucent or transparent
space at one side, the line varying in sharpness and in breadth as the
illumination becomes more intense. If the light is very bright, the
line is no wider than the thinnest possible silver or platinum wire.
The quartz cat’s-eye, less distinct than the chrysoberyl cat’s-eye,
is also found in the East, and possesses the property that when cut
straight across, an apparent striation in the stone produces the
cat’s-eye effect, but the material is not so rich or brilliant nor is
the gem as beautiful as is the true cat’s-eye. The alexandrite variety
of chrysoberyl is colored by chromium and is dichroitic, appearing
green when viewed in one direction and red in another; in artificial
light, however, the green color is lost and the red alone becomes
apparent.
The moonstone, with its moonlike, silvery-white light, changes on the
surface as the light varies. This is due to a chatoyancy produced by a
reflection caused by certain cleavage planes present in feldspar of the
variety to which the moonstone belongs.
PHENOMENAL GEMS FOR THE DAYS OF THE WEEK
Sunday Sunstone
Monday Moonstone
Tuesday Star sapphire
Wednesday Star ruby
Thursday Cat’s-eye
Friday Alexandrite
Saturday Labradorite
Fashion in some parts of the Orient dictates the use of special colors
for raiment and jewels to be worn on the different days of the week. In
Siam deep red silks and rubies are appropriate for Sunday wear; white
fabrics and moonstones are prescribed for Monday; light red garments
and coral ornaments are favored for Tuesday; striped stuffs and jewels
set with the cat’s-eye are considered the proper wear for Wednesday;
green materials and emeralds are decreed for Thursday; silver-blue
robes and ornaments set with diamonds are chosen for Friday, and on
Saturday those who obey the dictates of fashion are clad in dark blue
garments and wear sapphires of a similar hue.
Our age is not satisfied with the marvellous progress of science, which
has rendered possible the realization of many of the old magicians’
dreams. In spite of this there seems to be a growing tendency to
revive many of the old beliefs which appeared to have been definitely
discarded; therefore we need not be surprised that the nineteenth
century offers us a work on the magic art, written precisely in the
spirit that animated an Agrippa or a Porta in the fifteenth and
sixteenth centuries.[439] This work gives elaborate directions as to
the manner in which the “Magus” should proceed to perform his magic
rites.
Each day has its special and peculiar ritual. Sunday is the day for
the “Works of Light,” and on this day a purple robe should be worn
and a tiara and bracelets of gold; the ring placed on the finger of
the operator should be of gold and set with a chrysolite or a ruby.
A white robe with silver stripes is to be worn on Monday, the day of
the “Works of Divination and Mystery,” and the high-priest of the
mysteries wears over his robe a triple necklace of pearls, “crystals,”
and selenites; the tiara should be covered with yellow silk, and
bear in silver characters the Hebrew monogram of Gabriel, as given
by Cornelius Agrippa in his “Occult Philosophy.” Tuesday is assigned
to the “Works of Wrath,” and on this day the robe must be red, the
color of fire and blood, with a belt and bracelets of steel; the tiara
should have a circlet of iron, and a sword or a stylus is to be used
in place of a wand; the ring is set with an amethyst. The day for
the “Works of Science” is Wednesday, when a green robe is worn and
a necklace of hollow glass beads, filled with quicksilver; the ring
is adorned with an agate. On Thursday, appointed for the “Works of
Religion or Politics,” a scarlet robe is worn; upon the forehead of
the operator is bound a plate of tin, engraved with the symbol of the
planet Jupiter and various mystic characters; the ring bears either an
emerald or a sapphire. Friday, the day of Venus, is naturally dedicated
to the “Works of Love,” and the celebrant wears a sky-blue robe; his
ring shows a turquoise, and his tiara is set with lapis-lazuli and
beryl. The “Works of Mourning” belong to Saturday, when a black or a
brown robe is worn, embroidered in orange-colored silk with mystic
characters; from the neck of the operator hangs a leaden medal, bearing
the symbol of the planet Saturn, and on his finger is a ring set with
an onyx, upon which a double-faced Janus has been engraved while
Saturn was in the ascendant.
GEMS OF THE HOURS
HOURS OF THE DAY HOURS OF THE NIGHT
7 Chrysolite 7 Sardonyx
8 Amethyst 8 Chalcedony
9 Kunzite 9 Jade
10 Sapphire 10 Jasper
11 Garnet 11 Loadstone
12 Diamond 12 Onyx
1 Jacinth 1 Morion
2 Emerald 2 Hematite
3 Beryl 3 Malachite
4 Topaz 4 Lapis-lazuli
5 Ruby 5 Turquoise
6 Opal 6 Tourmaline
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
1 Paper 19 Hyacinth
2 Calico 20 China
3 Linen 23 Sapphire
4 Silk 25 Silver
5 Wood 26 Star sapphire, blue[440]
6 Candy 30 Pearl
7 Floral 35 Coral
8 Leather 39 Cat’s-eye[440]
9 Straw 40 Ruby
10 Tin 45 Alexandrite
12 Agate 50 Gold
13 Moonstone[440] 52 Star ruby[440]
14 Moss agate 55 Emerald
15 Rock-crystal, glass 60 Diamond, yellow
16 Topaz 65 Star sapphire, gray[440]
17 Amethyst 67 Star sapphire, purple
18 Garnet 75 Diamond
X
Planetary and Astral Influences of Precious Stones
The talismanic influence of the stones associated with the planets and
also with the signs of the zodiac is closely connected with the early
ideas regarding the formation of precious stones. In an old work on the
occult properties of gems we read:
The nature of the magnet is in the iron, and the nature of the iron
is in the magnet, and the nature of both polar stars is in both iron
and magnet, and hence the nature of the iron and the magnet is also in
both polar stars, and since they are Martian, that is to say, their
region belongs to Mars, so do both iron and magnet belong to Mars.
The author then proceeds to describe an analogous relation between a
man and any natural object or product to which his imagination draws
him, and shows that, if this object be one that stands in a sympathetic
relation with the star beneath which the man was born, the man, the
star, and the object will constitute a triplicity of great utility. As
an explanation of the peculiarly intimate relation between stars and
precious stones we read, on page 12:
Metals and precious stones usually lie with their first seeds deep
down in the earth and require continuous moisture and a mild heat.
This they obtain through a reflection of the sun and the other stars
in the manifold movement of the heavens.... Therefore, also, the
metals and precious stones are nearest related to the planets and
the stars, since these influence them most potently and produce their
peculiar qualities, for they are enduring and unchangeable and show
therein their concordance [with the stars and the planets].[441]