Birthstone Jewelry

Birthstone History

The concept that specific gemstones convey or impart special meaning for the wearer is an ancient idea first originating thousands of years ago. Scholars trace it back to the Breastplate of Aaron, described in the book of Exodus.

The Breastplate was a religious garment set with twelve gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of Israel. Then, between the 1st and 5th centuries, philosophers and writers from around the world introduced ideas supporting the significance of individual gemstones. Belief in a connection between gemstones and astrological signs, with certain gemstones having special powers related to each sign, evolved. In some cultures, it was commonly thought that specific gemstones held properties that could provide therapeutic or magical benefits to the wearer.

Birthstones Today

The model of birthstone jewelry we know today originated in 18th century Poland, when people first began wearing gemstones associated with their birth month. About two hundred years prior to the start of this tradition, an unknown poet wrote a series of lyrical birthstone poems for each month, which were attached to the Gregorian calendar. In the late 19th century, Tiffany and Company printed a pamphlet of these poems which have since become widely known.

In 1912, members of the National Association of Jewelers gathered in Kansas and officially adopted a modern list of birthstones to standardize birthstones for jewelry buyers and sellers. With one exception, this list has remained unchanged. In 2002, the American Gem Trade Association added the popular stone tanzanite to the December birthstone lineup.

Birthstone Chart

Discover a rainbow of product choices for every birthstone, along with design ideas to inspire your own line of birthstone jewelry. Or assemble a collection of ready-to-wear styles for gifting or resale. Designs, of course, can be made using genuine birthstones; however, that's just one of many options. In addition to designing with genuine birthstones, explore creating a line of birthstone jewelry with Crystal Passions® crystals, Celestial Crystal®, Preciosa crystal or Dione® beads, incorporating colors representing actual birthstones.

Our birthstone shopping page is an excellent visual resource at your fingertips, when designing your line of birthstone jewelry. For quick, easy shopping, a simple click will take you to the birthstone of your choice.

If you're contemplating your own line of birthstone jewelry, Celestial Crystal, Preciosa crystal and Crystal Passions crystal, along with a wide selection of findings in a variety of metal finishes, make a terrific launching point. Design a line of birthstone pendants, bracelets, earrings and rings, and your original line of eye-catching, stylish birthstone jewelry will sell itself.

Once established, your birthstone jewelry designs can become a permanent addition to your displays, ideal for ongoing sales. Invite customers to discover the joy in giving meaningful birthstone jewelry to friends and family. They will return to you for important, special-occasion gifts throughout the year, and year after year.

Birthstone Jewelry and More

Once established, your birthstone jewelry designs can become a permanent addition to your displays, ideal for ongoing sales. Invite customers to discover the joy of giving meaningful birthstone jewelry to friends and family. They will return to you for important, special-occasion gifts throughout the year, and year after year.

Birthstone jewelry is especially popular for holidays such as Mother's Day and Father's Day. It is popular to include birthstones of children in Mother's Rings or other mom jewelry. Using birthstones is also a growing trend in jewelry for wedding parties to personalize pendants or other jewelry.