<h2 id="c14">BIRTH STONES.</h2>
<p>From the earliest times and among all
peoples there seem to have been sentiments
and superstitions connected with
gems. The ancient use of gems is
proved by their being found in the
oldest tombs of Egypt and by their mention
in the earliest books of the Bible,
and no less ancient seem to be the mystic
properties and powers ascribed to them.</p>
<p>Not only was the power of driving
away evil spirits and producing all sorts
of “luck” long attributed to them, but
as late as the beginning of the eighteenth
century reputable physicians were accustomed
to mix fragments of them in their
medicines and to use them as charms.
The study of the uses of gems in this
way forms a subject of much interest,
but we may confine ourselves here simply
to the custom which made a particular
gem appropriate to a corresponding
month of the year.</p>
<p>The first arrangement of gems into a
group of twelve of which we have any
record is that in the Book of Exodus.
Here in the twenty-eighth chapter, verses
17-19, are prescribed in order, twelve
precious stones, which shall be set in
the breastplate of the High Priest. The
list is repeated in the thirty-ninth chapter
of the same book, verses 10-12. In the
context it is prescribed that the stones
shall be set in four rows and that upon
them shall be engraved the names of the
Children of Israel, one for each stone.
As to the particular stones as they are
known to the modern world, which are
indicated by the Hebrew words, authorities
differ, but in the authorized version
of the Bible they are given as follows:</p>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">Sardius, topaz, carbuncle,</p>
<p class="t0">Emerald, sapphire, diamond,</p>
<p class="t0">Ligure, agate, amethyst,</p>
<p class="t0">Beryl, onyx, jasper.</p>
</div>
<p>It is not probable, however, that these
names indicate in each case the corresponding
stones of modern usage. Thus
it is quite unlikely that the Hebrews
could have engraved a name upon the
diamond even if they could have obtained
one of sufficient size. Again, the words
emerald and carbuncle are undoubtedly
interchanged in the above list and the
ancient topaz is known to have been
the modern chrysolite. In the revised
version the word jacinth is substituted
for ligure and amber is given as a marginal
rendering for the same. There are
also given marginal renderings for others
of the gems, as follows: ruby for sardius,
emerald for carbuncle, carbuncle for emerald,
sardonyx for diamond, chalcedony
for beryl, and beryl for onyx. The modern
equivalents of the terms recognized
by secret orders which use them in symbolism
are:</p>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">Carnelian, chrysolite, emerald,</p>
<p class="t0">Ruby, lapis-lazuli, onyx,</p>
<p class="t0">Sapphire, agate, amethyst,</p>
<p class="t0">Topaz, beryl, jasper.</p>
</div>
<p>Two lists of precious stones quite
similar to those of the Book of Exodus
are given in other places in the Bible, one
in Ezekiel 28:13, where “every precious
stone” is said to have been the covering
of the King of Tyre, and again in Revelation
21:19-20, where twelve different
precious stones are mentioned as garnishing
the foundations of the wall of the
Holy City. The names and order of these
in Ezekiel are, in the authorized version,
as follows:</p>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">Sardius, topaz, diamond,</p>
<p class="t0">Beryl, onyx, jasper,</p>
<p class="t0">Sapphire, emerald, carbuncle.</p>
</div>
<p>To these the Septuagint adds the following:</p>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">Chrysolite, ligure, agate.</p>
</div>
<p>The revised version gives marginally,
ruby for sardius, carbuncle for emerald,
and emerald for carbuncle. In Revelation
the list as given in the authorized
version reads as follows—</p>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">Jasper, sapphire, chalcedony,</p>
<p class="t0">Emerald, sardonyx, sardius,</p>
<p class="t0">Chrysolite, beryl, topaz,</p>
<p class="t0">Chrysoprase, jacinth, amethyst.</p>
</div>
<p>The marginal renderings give lapis-lazuli
for sapphire and sapphire for jacinth.</p>
<div class="fig"> <ANTIMG src="images/i11504.jpg" alt="" width-obs="500" height-obs="661" /> <p class="caption">BIRTH STONES. <br/><span class="small">GEMS LOANED BY FREDERICK J. ESSIG.</span></p> </div>
<br/>Top row:
<br/>Garnet (January.)
<br/>Amethyst (February.)
<br/>Bloodstone (March.)
<br/>Second row:
<br/>Diamond (April.)
<br/>Emerald (May.)
<br/>Agate (June.)
<br/>Third row:
<br/>Ruby (July.)
<br/>Sardonyx (August.)
<br/>Sapphire (September.)
<br/>Fourth row:
<br/>Opal (October.)
<br/>Topaz (November.)
<br/>Turquoise (December.)
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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:</p>
<h3 class="generic">JANUARY.</h3>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">By her who in this month is born,</p>
<p class="t">No gems save garnets should be worn;</p>
<p class="t0">They will insure her constancy,</p>
<p class="t">True friendship and fidelity.</p>
</div>
<h3 class="generic">FEBRUARY.</h3>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">The February-born shall find</p>
<p class="t">Sincerity and peace of mind,</p>
<p class="t0">Freedom from passion and from care,</p>
<p class="t">If they an amethyst will wear.</p>
</div>
<h3 class="generic">MARCH.</h3>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">Who in this world of ours their eyes</p>
<p class="t">In March first open shall be wise,</p>
<p class="t0">In days of peril firm and brave,</p>
<p class="t">And wear a bloodstone to their grave.</p>
</div>
<h3 class="generic">APRIL.</h3>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">She who from April dates her years,</p>
<p class="t">Diamonds shall wear, lest bitter tears</p>
<p class="t0">For vain repentance flow. This stone</p>
<p class="t">Emblem of innocence is known.</p>
</div>
<h3 class="generic">MAY.</h3>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">Who first beholds the light of day</p>
<p class="t">In spring’s sweet flowery month of May,</p>
<p class="t0">And wears an emerald all her life,</p>
<p class="t">Shall be a loved and happy wife.</p>
</div>
<h3 class="generic">JUNE.</h3>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">Who comes with summer to this earth,</p>
<p class="t">And owes to June her hour of birth,</p>
<p class="t0">With ring of agate on her hand</p>
<p class="t">Can health, wealth and long life command.</p>
</div>
<h3 class="generic">JULY.</h3>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">The glowing ruby shall adorn</p>
<p class="t">Those who in July are born;</p>
<p class="t0">Then they’ll be exempt and free</p>
<p class="t">From love’s doubts and anxiety.</p>
</div>
<h3 class="generic">AUGUST.</h3>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">Wear a sardonyx, or for thee</p>
<p class="t">No conjugal felicity;</p>
<p class="t0">The August-born without this stone,</p>
<p class="t">’Tis said, must live unloved and lone.</p>
</div>
<h3 class="generic">SEPTEMBER.</h3>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">A maiden born when September leaves</p>
<p class="t">Are rustling in September’s breeze,</p>
<p class="t0">A sapphire on her brow should bind—</p>
<p class="t">’Twill cure diseases of the mind.</p>
</div>
<h3 class="generic">OCTOBER.</h3>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">October’s child is born for woe,</p>
<p class="t">And life’s vicissitudes must know;</p>
<p class="t0">But lay an opal on her breast,</p>
<p class="t">And hope will lull those woes to rest.</p>
</div>
<h3 class="generic">NOVEMBER.</h3>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">Who first comes to this world below</p>
<p class="t">With drear November’s fog and snow,</p>
<p class="t0">Should prize the topaz’ amber hue—</p>
<p class="t">Emblem of friends and lovers true.</p>
</div>
<h3 class="generic">DECEMBER.</h3>
<div class="verse">
<p class="t0">If cold December gave you birth,</p>
<p class="t">The month of snow and ice and mirth,</p>
<p class="t0">Place on your hand a turquois blue:</p>
<p class="t">Success will bless whate’er you do.</p>
</div>
<p>The sentiments further ascribed to the
above gems are, as given in a pamphlet
by Mr. George F. Kunz and published
by Tiffany & Company, in 1892, the following:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Garnet.—Insures Power, Grace and Victory
to the wearer.</p>
<p>Amethyst.—Deep Love; prevents Intoxication.</p>
<p>Bloodstone.—Courage and Wisdom.</p>
<p>Diamond.—Purity; Preserves Peace, Prevents
Storms.</p>
<p>Emerald.—Immortality, Conquers Sin and
Trial.</p>
<p>Agate.—Health, Wealth and Longevity.</p>
<p>Ruby.—Charity, Dignity and Divine
Power.</p>
<p>Sardonyx.—Conjugal Felicity; Prevents
Misfortune.</p>
<p>Sapphire.—Constancy, Truth and Virtue.</p>
<p>Opal.—Hope, Innocence, Purity.</p>
<p>Topaz.—Friendship and Fidelity.</p>
<p>Turquois.—Prosperity, Soul-cheerer.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><span class="lr"><span class="sc">Oliver Cummings Farrington.</span></span></p>
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