One of the earliest writers to associate directly with the apostles the symbolism of the gems given as foundation stones of the New Jerusalem by St. John in Revelation xxi, 19, is Andreas, bishop of Cæsarea. This author was at one time assigned by critics to the fifth century A.D.,[430] but more recent investigation has shown that he probably belonged to the last half of the tenth century. His exposition reads as follows:[431]
The jasper, which like the emerald is of a greenish hue, probably signifies St. Peter, chief of the apostles, as one who so bore Christ’s death in his inmost nature that his love for Him was always vigorous and fresh. By his fervent faith he has become our shepherd and leader.
As the sapphire is likened to the heavens (from this stone is made a color popularly called lazur), I conceive it to mean St. Paul, since he was caught up to the third heaven, where his soul was firmly fixed. Thither he seeks to draw all those who may be obedient to him.
The chalcedony was not inserted in the high-priest’s breastplate, but instead the carbuncle, of which no mention is made here. It may well be, however, that the author designated the carbuncle by the name chalcedony. Andrew, then, can be likened to the carbuncle, since he was splendidly illumined by the fire of the Spirit.
The emerald, which is of a green color, is nourished with oil, that its transparency and beauty may not change; we conceive this stone to signify John the Evangelist. He, indeed, soothed the souls dejected by sin with a divine oil, and by the grace of his excellent doctrine lends constant strength to our faith.
By the sardonyx, showing with a certain transparency and purity the color of the human nail, we believe that James is denoted, seeing that he bore death for Christ before all others. This the nail by its color indicates, for it may be cut off without any sensible pain.
The sardius with its tawny and translucent coloring suggests fire, and it possesses the virtue of healing tumors and wounds inflicted by iron; hence I consider that it designates the beauty of virtue characterizing the apostle Philip, for his virtue, animated by the fire of the Holy Spirit, cured the soul of the wounds inflicted by the wiles of the devil, and revived it.
The chrysolite, gleaming with the splendor of gold, may symbolize Bartholomew, since he was illustrious for his divine preaching and his store of virtues.
The beryl, imitating the colors of the sea and of the air, and not unlike the jacinth, seems to suggest the admirable Thomas, especially as he made a long journey by sea, and even reached the Indies, sent by God to preach salvation to the peoples of that region.
The topaz, which is of a ruddy color, resembling somewhat the carbuncle, stops the discharge of the milky fluid with which those having eye-disease suffer. This seems to denote Matthew, for he was animated by a divine zeal, and, his blood being fired because of Christ, he was found worthy to enlighten by his Gospel those whose heart was blinded, that they might like new-born children drink of the milk of the faith.
The chrysoprase, more brightly tinged with a golden hue than gold itself, symbolizes St. Thaddæus; the gold (chrysos) symbolizing the kingdom of Christ, and the prassius, Christ’s death, both of which he preached to Abgar, King of Edessa.
The jacinth, which is of a celestial hue, signifies Simon Zelotes, zealous for the gifts and grace of Christ and endowed with a celestial prudence.
By the amethyst, which shows to the onlooker a fiery aspect, is signified Matthias, who in the gift of tongues was so filled with celestial fire and with fervent zeal to serve and please God, who had chosen him, that he was found worthy to take the place of the apostate Judas.
Some theologians were opposed to the assignment of the foundation stones to the apostles, for they held that only Christ himself could be regarded as the foundation of his Church. Hence the symbolism of these stones was made to apply to Christ alone, the color of the stone often guiding the commentator in his choice of ideas denoted by the different gems. Thus, one writer, applying all the meanings to Christ, finds that the greenish Jasper denotes satisfaction; the sky-blue Sapphire, the soul; the bright-red Chalcedony, zeal for truth; the transparent green Emerald, kindness and goodness; the nail-colored Sardonyx, the strength of spiritual life; the red Sardius, readiness to shed His blood for the Church; the yellow Chrysolite, the excellence of His divine nature; the sea-green Beryl, moderation and the control of the passions; the glass-green Topaz (chrysolite?), uprightness; the harsh-colored Chrysoprase, sternness towards sinners; the violet or purple Jacinth, royal dignity, and, lastly, the purple Amethyst, with a touch of red, perfection.[432]
Andreas of Cæsarea freely recognizes his indebtedness to the much more ancient source, St. Epiphanius, bishop of Constantia in Cyprus, who died in 402 A.D., and who wrote a short but very valuable treatise on the stones of the breastplate, noting in several cases the therapeutic and talismanic virtues of these stones and giving his opinion as to the order in which the names of the tribes were inscribed upon them.[433] As the foundation stones of Revelation are rightly called “apostolic stones,” so those of the breastplate merit the designation of “tribal stones,” as well as that of astral stones; indeed, the Jews of medieval times definitely associated the tribes with the zodiacal signs in the following order:
| Judah | Aries |
| Issachar | Taurus |
| Zebulun | Gemini |
| Reuben | Cancer |
| Simeon | Leo |
| Gad | Virgo |
| Ephraim | Libra |
| Manasseh | Scorpio |
| Benjamin | Sagittarius |
| Dan | Capricorn |
| Naphtali | Aquarius |
| Asher | Pisces |
For Rabanus Maurus the nine gems of the king of Tyre named in Ezekiel xxxviii, 13, are types of the nine orders of angels, just as the twelve foundation stones of Revelation signify the twelve apostles.[434]
It is evident, from early and later usage, that, at the place and time where and when these stones were first utilized for birth-stones, the year must have begun with the month of March. This will be apparent when we compare the following eight lists, carefully gathered from various sources:
| Month | Jews | Romans | Isidore Bishop of Seville | Arabians |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Garnet | Hyacinth | Garnet |
| February | Amethyst | Amethyst | Amethyst | Amethyst |
| March | Jasper | Bloodstone | Jasper | Bloodstone |
| April | Sapphire | Sapphire | Sapphire | Sapphire |
| May | Chalcedony Carnelian Agate | Agate | Agate | Emerald |
| June | Emerald | Emerald | Emerald | Agate Chalcedony Pearl |
| July | Onyx | Onyx | Onyx | Carnelian |
| August | Carnelian | Carnelian | Carnelian | Sardonyx |
| September | Chrysolite | Sardonyx | Chrysolite | Chrysolite |
| October | Aquamarine | Aquamarine | Aquamarine | Aquamarine |
| November | Topaz | Topaz | Topaz | Topaz |
| December | Ruby | Ruby | Ruby | Ruby |
The table has been divided at this point.
| Month | Poles | Russians | Italians | 15th to 20th Century |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Garnet Hyacinth | Jacinth Garnet | Garnet |
| February | Amethyst | Amethyst | Amethyst | Amethyst Hyacinth Pearl |
| March | Bloodstone | Jasper | Jasper | Jasper Bloodstone |
| April | Diamond | Sapphire | Sapphire | Diamond Sapphire |
| May | Emerald | Emerald | Agate | Emerald Agate |
| June | Agate Chalcedony | Agate Chalcedony | Emerald | Cat’s-eye Turquoise Agate |
| July | Ruby | Ruby Sardonyx | Onyx | Turquoise Onyx |
| August | Sardonyx | Alexandrite | Carnelian | Sardonyx Carnelian Moonstone Topaz |
| September | Sardonyx | Chrysolite | Chrysolite | Chrysolite |
| October | Aquamarine | Beryl | Beryl | Beryl Opal |
| November | Topaz | Topaz | Topaz | Topaz Pearl |
| December | Turquoise | Turquoise Chrysoprase | Ruby | Ruby Bloodstone |