The modern variation we know today came about in the 18th century in Poland whereby Jewish gem traders marketed selling each gemstone based on a person’s birth month. Initially, the thinking was that each person would own all 12 birthstones and wear each gem on the corresponding month. Jerome, are credited with associating the 12 breastplate gems with the 12 signs of the zodiac.

How did these breastplate gems turn into the birthstones we all know today? Stepping forward to the 1st and 5th century AD two scholars, Flavius Josephus and St. 'There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.' (Exodus 28:17-20) This specific breastplate was adorned with the following gems: emerald, sapphire, diamond, topaz, carbuncle, sardius, agate, ligure, amethyst, onyx, jasper, and beryl. The breastplate was inlaid with 12 gemstones that each represented the twelve tribes of Israel at the time. December Birthstone: Tanzanite, Zircon or Turquoiseīirthstones appear to have a biblical source, tracing back to the book of Exodus in the Bible and specifically on the breastplate of Aaron.

Pink sapphire birthstone