Emerald, sardonyx, sardius,
Chrysolite, beryl, topaz,
Chrysoprase, jacinth, amethyst.
The marginal renderings give lapis-lazuli for sapphire and sapphire for jacinth.
BIRTH STONES.
GEMS LOANED BY FREDERICK J. ESSIG.
Top row: Garnet (January.) Amethyst (February.) Bloodstone (March.) Second row: Diamond (April.) Emerald (May.) Agate (June.) Third row: Ruby (July.) Sardonyx (August.) Sapphire (September.) Fourth row: Opal (October.) Topaz (November.) Turquoise (December.)
Though in each of these lists only twelve precious stones are mentioned, there is nothing to indicate that their use was in any way connected with the months of the year. Just when it became the custom to designate each month by a particular gem or how the custom originated is impossible to determine. The custom seems to have sprung up in modern Europe some time during the fifteenth or sixteenth century. Whether it originated in the twelve gems of Aaron’s breastplate as many believe, or was introduced by astrologers from the Arabians as others think, is not yet known.
The modern practice of considering the stone of each month especially appropriate to persons born in that month is probably still more recent in its origin. In former times gems could be possessed only by rulers or the very wealthy, so that their general use in the above manner was not possible. But now that nearly every one can own a gem of some kind the possession of “birth stones” and the attachment of special sentiments to them has become common. The custom is a pretty one, and is to be commended, for the stones are imperishable and the sentiments ascribed to them represent the accumulated traditions of many ages, races and peoples.
As to the particular stone which is to be considered appropriate to each month usages differ. Such differences have doubtless arisen from the desire to introduce gems which were formerly little known or unattainable on account of their cost, as substitutes for stones formerly prized but now held of little value. Thus the precious opal now much admired was hardly known in former times. By some it is now used as the birth stone of the month of October, while others retain the beryl. The diamond has been introduced in modern practice in quite a similar way. The carnelian and chrysolite by some still used for the months of August and September are stones held of little worth at present, and hence others are usually substituted. The particular order and kind of stones adopted in the accompanying plate is given in accordance with some verses quoted in a pamphlet first published by Tiffany & Company, of New York, in 1870. The author of the verses is not known, nor is it known by just what authority these gems were chosen. The choice, however, seems as satisfactory as could be made. Some of the verses have been quoted in previous numbers of this magazine, but they may here be given entire: