Among the treasures in the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History is a very old silver breastplate that once was in an ancient synagogue and supposedly was modeled after the one worn by Aaron, the first high priest of the Hebrews. In this plate are mounted twelve stones representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Among Christians, the Twelve Apostles also were represented symbolically by precious stones.
THE TWELVE TRIBES Levi, Garnet Zebulon, Diamond Gad, Amethyst Benjamin, Jasper Simeon, Chrysolite Issachar, Sapphire Naphtali, Agate Joseph, Onyx Reuben, Sard Judah, Emerald Dan, Topaz Asher, Beryl
THE TWELVE APOSTLES Peter, Jasper Andrew, Sapphire James, Chalcedony John, Emerald Philip, Sardonyx Bartholomew, Sard Matthew, Chrysolite Thomas, Beryl James the Less, Topaz Jude, Chrysoprase Simon, Hyacinth Judas, Amethyst
The number “12” seems to follow a chain of gemstone superstitions. Gemstones were considered to have mystical relationship not only with the Twelve Tribes and the Twelve Apostles but also with the Twelve Angels, the Twelve Ranks of the Devil, and the Twelve Parts of the human body.
Some stones were even endowed with astrological significance and were believed to be in sympathy with the twelve zodiacal signs. On the basis of an elaborate system of prognostications, an astrologer was considered able to foretell future events by proper observance of changes in hue and brilliance of the symbolic stones.
Aries the Ram, Bloodstone Taurus the Bull, Sapphire Gemini the Twins, Agate Cancer the Crab, Emerald Leo the Lion, Onyx Virgo the Virgin, Carnelian Libra the Scales, Chrysolite Scorpio the Scorpion, Aquamarine Sagittarius the Archer, Topaz Capricornus the Goat, Ruby Aquarius the Water Bearer, Garnet Pisces the Fishes, Amethyst
Perhaps in our own space-oriented times the ancient superstitions sympathetically relating certain gemstones with the planets will be revived. In the distant past, moonstone, topaz, and other white stones were believed to be in sympathy with the Moon, diamond and ruby with the Sun, jasper and emerald with Mars, amethyst, topaz, and emerald with Venus, carnelian, topaz, and amethyst with Jupiter, turquoise and sapphire with Saturn, and rock crystal, agate, and emerald with Mercury. Since Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto were unknown to the ancients, these planets have not been represented by gemstones.
Of special interest to the American public are birthstones. Many birthstone lists have been proposed, and in order to use this idea to popularize gemstones the American jewelry industry has agreed upon an official list. This list has served to bring about some uniformity in the selection of birthstones for the twelve months.
January, Garnet February, Amethyst March, Aquamarine or Bloodstone April, Diamond May, Emerald June, Moonstone or Pearl July, Ruby August, Peridot or Sardonyx September, Sapphire October, Opal or Tourmaline November, Topaz or Citrine December, Turquoise or Lapis lazuli
All these associations and strange beliefs have served to create in the general public a mental image of gemstones that gives to them an increased exoticism and mysterious appeal far exceeding their monetary value.