Astrology and crystals

The belief that a particular stone was dedicated to each month of the year seems very ancient and was possibly related to the twelve stones on the breastplate of Jewish high priests. The writings of St Jerome and Josephus comment on a connection between the 12 stones and the twelve months of the year as well as the 12 zodiacal signs. The Chaldeans who lived in Mesopotamia around 4000BC discovered a relationship between the planets and specific gems.

The general wearing of a stone associated with the birth date did not become widely fashionable until the eighteenth century. Before this time, the stones were used more for therapeutic reasons. Originally it was thought better to have a stone for each month of the year. The stone of the month was believed to generate the most healing power and give protection. To wear the stone of the sign under which one was born was also meant to magnify the vibratory influence of that particular planet.

In the sixteenth century, it was fashionable to wear an emerald in the spring and a ruby in the summer. You would wear a sapphire in the autumn and a diamond in the winter.

The emerald is associated with Venus the goddess of love maybe is was appropriate for a young man or women to wear the emerald when finding love. The color green in a gem symbolizes growth, sensitivity and a new birth. The ruby is known as the king of the jewel, stimulating expression and creativity.

The Industrial Revolution swept away much of the traditional jewelry being worn as a sign of wealth and status. Gradually more people were able to afford to buy gems and the subsequent popularization of gem collecting lead to the custom of associating specific stones with particular wedding anniversaries and the common use of birthstones charts, as we know them today. From the first wedding anniversary to the tenth anniversary are basic materials Paper, Calico, Linen, Silk, wood, Candy, Floral, Leather, Strew, and Tin.

Gemstones for Wedding Anniversaries

An ancient Hindu tradition suggests the following combinations of stones are used as protection and can influence our life, whether you are married or single.

The ruby, diamond, pearl, coral, jacinth, sapphire, topaz, cat’s eye and emerald were associated with particular planets. For example topaz with Jupiter, Coral with Mars, Emerald with Mercury, Sapphire with Saturn, Diamond with Venus, and Ruby with the sun. This does not correlate with some of the modern charts of today, however it was believed to be an extremely powerful amulet.

Below is a list of the astrological signs and their birthstones they represent.

Birthstones