An heirloom ring, a necklace hung over the heart, a pair of earrings for special occasions—we’re all aware that we tend to develop a strong psychological connection with the gemstones and crystals we wear. They can serve as a token to encourage us to be mindful during a busy day, a tool to help us focus during meditation, or perhaps even tap into colour psychology and inspire a subtle shift in our emotions.

Birthstones in particular have always held a certain sentimental significance in our culture. The Ancient Israelites and Babylonians may have sparked the idea by attributing a single gem to each of the twelve zodiacs in the calendar year. (Check out this post to learn what your original birthstone was according to the ancient Greeks.)

Catherine de’Medici, Queen of France in the 1500’s, was one of the first to bring them into fashion by famously wearing a girdle of 12 precious stones that corresponded with each month of the year. Soon after her, it became fashionable to wear just the one stone associated with your birth month. Today’s modern birthstones are based on a list published by the National Association of Jewelers in 1912. But decades earlier, in 1870, the iconic Tiffany and Co. was one of the first to capitalize on the trend and published a short poem recommending one of their gems for each month of the year.

Read on to see what your Tiffany stone would be today!

January
By her who in this month is born
No gem save Garnets should be worn;
They will ensure her constancy,
True friendship, and fidelity.

Febuary
The February-born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they an Amethyst will wear.

Diamonds! Featuring the Winslet Ring, the Daisy Ring, and the Kate Ring.

March
Who in this world of ours their eyes
In March first open shall be wise,
In days of peril firm and brave,
And wear a Bloodstone to their grave.

April

She who from April dates her years,
Diamonds shall wear, lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow; this stone,
Emblem of innocence, is known.

May
Who first beholds the light of day
In spring's sweet flowery month of May
And wears an Emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and happy wife.

June
Who comes with summer to this earth,
And owes to June her hour of birth,
With ring of Agate on her hand
Can health, wealth, and long life command.

Featuring the Rianne Ring and the Adah Ring. 

July
The glowing Ruby shall adorn,
Those who in July are born;
Then they'll be exempt and free
From love's doubts and anxiety.

August
Wear a Sardonyx or for thee,
No conjugal felicity;
The August-born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved and lone.

September
A maiden born when September leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze,
A Sapphire on her brow should bind
`Twill cure diseases of the mind.

October
October's child is born for woe,
And life's vicissitudes must know,
But lay an Opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.

Featuring the Aurora Ring and the Ondine Ring.

November

Who first comes to this world below
With drear November's fog and snow,
Should prize the Topaz's amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.

December
If cold December gave you birth,
The month of snow and ice and mirth,
Place on your hand a Turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate'er you do.

It has to be said—some of these poems are grim! To be born in August and not wear a sardonyx certainly doesn't mean you will die unloved and alone. But thanks for that, Tiffany. 

Wearing jewelry that features your birthstone is a nice way to bring the focus back to you, especially. It's like wearing a signet ring with your own initial (which we wholly recommend). Even in a wedding set, or a more generic looking piece, wearing your birthstone is a colourful statement of dedication to yourself. 

What's your birthstone? Do you believe that a certain stone might activate or contain an essential energy in you? Let us know below!