Pearl Birth Stone

Learn about the history of pearl birth stones...the origin of the idea and get a birthstones list for every month.

Here are some birthstones pearls facts.

Birthstones Identify Us

The other day at the airport while arranging an airline ticket I noticed the agent's lovely amethyst bracelet, necklace, earrings. I confidently asked her what day in February her birthday was on? How could I ask with such confidence? Because anyone who loved amethyst this much certainly had a February birthday...as I do. It caused a lively conversation and a friend was made.

Women enjoy identifying themselves with their birthstone. But how did they come about? What started this fun activity?

High Priest Breastplate

It's commonly accepted that the origin of monthly birthstone lists go back in history to the time of Moses and the breastplate (hosen) of the Jewish high priest.

Here are three translations from Exodus 28: 17-20 listing the twelve stones in the breastplate.

KJV version

17 And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. 18 And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. 19 And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. 20 And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.

NAS version

17 And you shall set in it four rows of stones. A row of sardius, topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row; 18 and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; 19 and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 20 and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper; they shall be set in gold filigree.

Darby translation

17 And thou shalt set in it settings of stones -- four rows of stones: [one] row, a sardoin, a topaz, and an emerald -- the first row; 18 and the second row, a carbuncle, a sapphire, and a diamond; 19 and the third row, an opal, an agate, and an amethyst; 20 and the fourth row, a chrysolite, and an onyx, and a jasper; enclosed in gold shall they be in their settings.

As you may notice, however, in these three translations...no pearl birth stone was mentioned.

Pearls are a symbol for Jesus Christ

It's believed that as a Biblical symbol that the pearl was reserved for Jesus Christ Himself....but over the years, beginning around the middle of the 16th century and "officially" in the year 1912, the pearl birth stone became the birthstone for the fortunate people born in JUNE. June means pearl birth stones and...a lovely month of the year when the winter thaws have left, flowers and trees are in full foliage and the weather near perfect. (At least in my part of the world...North America.)

Around the middle of the 16th century gems were assigned to each month (June's was a pearl birth stone) and the term "birthstone" was first recognized with people associating themselves with the particular stone for their "birth month." It was thought that possessing their birthstone charm (pearl birth stone for June) would bring them safety and fortune.

1912

A birthstone is a gemstone or other semi-precious stone which is associated with a month of the Gregorian Calendar. There is no particular connection between the stones and the months, but they are often used as a way to "personalize" jewelry, taking the stone for the month in which a person was born.

There have been many different sets of birthstones used throughout history and in different cultures, but in 1912 the American National Association of Jewelers, Jewelers of America, officially adopted the following list; it is currently accepted as the standard in the United States and many other places.

Birthstone Chart

January - Garnet
February - Amethyst
March - Aquamarine and Bloodstone
April - Diamond and White Sapphire
May - Emerald
June - Pearl, Moonstone and Alexandrite
July - Ruby
August - Peridot and Sardonyx
September - Sapphire
October - Opal and Tourmaline (pink or green)
November - Topaz , Topaz Quartz and Citrine
December - Turquoise , Zircon, Blue Topaz and Lapiz Lazuli

Learn more about pearl birth stones here.

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