BIRTH STONES: Facts & Fiction

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BIRTH STONES

 

According to the Gemological Institute of America (ref. G.I.A. Colored

Stones Course, Assignment #41, "Birthstones"), the origin of the

Western system of birthstones can be traced to the Breastplate of the

High Priest. In the Bible, Moses handed down rules governing the

Breastplate of Judgment which contained 12 gems, each engraved with the

name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Another arrangement of the

12 gems is described in the Book of Revelation as the foundation stones

of the New Jerusalem. The order in which these 12 gems were given was

used to determine the succession of birthstones for the months.

On August 12, 1912 the American National Retail Jewelers' Association

arbitrarily substituted a new list of birthstones, adding to or

changing many of the traditional stones to others which were more

commercially viable. In 1938 the American Gem Society adopted this list

(with the addition of citrine) for use by its members. In 1952 a

variation of this list was approved by the American National Retail

Jewelers Association (ANRJA), National Jewelers Association (NJA), and

the American Gem Society (AGS). Thus the official list of birthstones

was established as follows:

MONTH BIRTHSTONE

 

January Garnet

February Amethyst

March Bloodstone or Aquamarine

April Diamond

May Emerald

June Pearl or Moonstone (also Alexandrite)

July Ruby

August Sardonyx or Peridot

September Sapphire

October Opal or Pink Tourmaline

November Topaz or Citrine

December Turquoise or Zircon

 

In light of the above, it is obvious that the currently recognized

Western birthstone system has nothing to do with any astrological

science or logic. It should also be noted that the signs of the zodiac

change on or about the 22nd of each month. Therefore it is impossible

to establish a list of birthstones based on the months. According to

the Tropical system of astrology prevalent in the West, zodiac or birth

signs are determined by the position of the Sun in one's horoscope. In

the Sidereal system this is determined by the position of the Moon. But

in both systems, the zodiac sign is important, not the month of one's

birth. Each sign of the zodiac (rasi ) is ruled by one of the planets

and each planet in turn rules over certain gemstones according to their

color. In Asia these birthstones are known collectively as NAVARATNA or

the nine (astral) gems.

 

The only logical system of birthstones is based upon the planet

ruling one's zodiac sign.

 

The following list of BIRTHSTONES is known and accepted throughout

Asia since ancient times:

 

BIRTHSTONE RULING PLANET ZODIAC MOON SIGN

 

Ruby Sun Leo

Pearl Moon Cancer

Coral Mars Aries/Scorpio

Emerald Mercur Gemini/Virgo

Yellow Sapphire Jupiter Sagittarius/Pisces

 

Diamond Venus Taurus/Libra

Blue Sapphire Saturn Capricorn/Aquarius

Hessonite Rahu *

 

Cat's eye Ketu *

 

*According to B.V. Raman and other authorities, since Rahu and Ketu are

aprakasha or shadowy planets, they will reflect the qualities of the

lord of the (zodiac) sign they are in. If Rahu is in located Leo, a

sign ruled by the Sun, look to the position of Sun in the chart and

expect similar effects for Rahu. Note: Other natural stones can be

substituted according to color. These secondary choice gems are known

collectively as "Uparatna " or alternate stones.

 

The most important difference in the use of astrological gems by the

two systems is that in the Eastern system gems are recognized as

possessing unique planetary powers which may be prescribed for

specific purposes. We must first look to see which planets (if any) are

in their "own sign" (sign ownership), or are "exalted" (maximum

strength) or in "mulatrikona "(trine), or at least in a "friendly

sign." All of these "auspicious" planetary sign positions give positive

results and will be beneficial to "strengthen." Prescribing gems to

"pacify" afflicted planets has not proven beneficial in our experience.

Planets which are in a harmful "condition" in one's horoscope should

not be made stronger.

 

©1995 Ancient Astrological Gemstones & Talismans

by Richard Shaw Brown, PG

 

 

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