Birth Stones Rings, History and Lore

The history and lore of birth stone rings
Family rings and family jewelry have a rich history in many cultures. Most scholars agree that the history and legend of birth stones originated in the old testament story of a garment worn by a high priest. Each stone represented one of the twelve tribes, one of the signs of the zodiac and also one of the months of the year. The instructions for making this garment were very specific:

The breastplate of Aaron: In Exodus 28, 15-30, the high priest Aaron is given these instructions:

"And thou shall make the breastplate of judgement with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen shalt thou make it.

Foursquare it shall be doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.

And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.

And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper; they shall be set in gold in their enclosings.

And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings on a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes....

And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgement upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually."

Modern Birth stones: Over time, many of the birth stones have remained the same, with the same birth stone colors; some have changed slightly because their exact origins were unknown from the original text, and some have been interpreted to the proper minerals of those probably referred to in the in the original text.

Here is a page that gives you the modern birth stone list and legends associated with the gemstones in a mother’s ring that were originally represented in the breastplate of Aaron, the high priest