The creation of gemstone jewelry dates back thousands of years to
ancient stories found in the Bible and elsewhere. Most scholars agree
that the stories and myths behind this form of jewelry can be traced to
the story of the "Breastplate of Aaron," which was a ceremonial and
spiritual garment that was inlaid with twelve natural gemstones. It's
believed that each of these gemstones represented the twelve tribes of
Israel from the Old Testament and are associated with the Twelve
Apostles.
In modern times, the belief that the twelve gemstones present on the
Breastplate of Aaron was extended to include additional meaning. The
practice of assigning meaning to stones was probably associated to
astrological practices and the custom of wearing gemstones as in birthstone jewelry
was first seen in 15th century Poland. In the early 1900s the
connection of specific stones to birth months was formalized in the
United States; although criticized by gemstone purists as a commercially
motivated effort, people from across the world now embrace the concept
of birthstones and the ability to place deeper meaning in the gemstone
jewelry that they wear.
As you search for gemstone jewelry, the folklore and myths associated
with each gemstone offer greater interest and enjoyment. While it may
require some homework, identifying the characteristics and meaning of
each gemstone will give your jewelry more meaning. Some sample meanings
include prosperity, luck, serenity and more. In addition, gemstones are
considered by many to possess a variety of healing qualities and
personality traits. Regardless of your beliefs, gemstones and the
jewelry in which they are featured have a long and interesting history.
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