Know about your Birth Stone

In the bible,Moses handed down rules governing the Breastplate of judgment wish contained 12 gem,each engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Another arrrangement of the 12 gems is described in the book of revelation as the foundation stones of the new Jerusalem. The order in which these 12 gems were given was first used to determine the succession of birthstones for the months Birth Stones



BOGUS & BONA FIDE

BOGUS SYSTEM: According to the Gemological Institute of America , the origin of the Western system of birthstones can betraced to the Breastplate of the High Priest. In the Bible, Moses handed down rules governing theBreastplate of Judgment which contained 12 gems, each engraved with the name of one of the twelvetribes of Israel. Another arrangement of the 12 gems is described in the Book of Revelation as the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem. The order in which these 12 gems were given was used todetermine the succession of birthstones for the months.

On August 12, 1912 the American National Retail Jewelers' Association arbitrarily substituted a new listof birthstones, adding to or changing many of the traditional stones to others which were more commercially viable. In 1938 the American Gem Society adopted this list for use by its members. In 1952 a variation of this list was approved by the American National Retail Jewelers Association (ANRJA), National Jewelers Association (NJA), and the American Gem Society

List of birthstones was established as follows::

MONTH --BIRTHSTONE
January--Garnet
February-- Amethyst
March-- Bloodstone or Aquamarine
April --Diamond
May-- Emerald
June-- Pearl or Moonstone
July-- Ruby
August-- Sardonyx or Peridot
September --Sapphire
October -- Opal or Pink Tourmaline
November-- Topaz or Citrine
December -- Turquoise or Zircon



In light of the above, it is obvious that the currently recognized Western birthstone system has nothing o do with any astrological science. It should also be noted that the signs of the zodiac change on or
about the 22nd of each month. Therefore it is impossible to establish a list of birthstones
based on the months.

According to the Tropical system of astrology prevalent in the West, zodiac or birth signs aredetermined by the position of the Sun in one's horoscope. In the Sidereal system this is determined by the position of the Moon. But in both systems, the zodiac sign is important,not the month of one's birth.Each sign of the zodiac (rasi ) is ruled by one of the planets and each planet in turn rules over certain gemstones according to their color. In Asia these birthstones are known collectively as NAVARATNA or the nine (astral) gems.

BONA FIDE SYSTEM: The only logical system of birthstones is based upon the planet ruling one's zodiac sign.

The following list of BIRTHSTONES has been known and accepted throughout Asia
since ancient times:

Asian Sri Nava Ratna Birthstones

BIRTHSTONE--RULING PLANET --ZODIAC SIGN
Ruby-- Sun -- Leo
Pearl-- Moon --Cancer
Coral-- Mars --Aries/Scorpio
Emerald-- Mercury-- Gemini/Virgo
Yellow Sapphire -- Jupiter -- Sagitarius/Pisces
Diamond --Venus -- Taurus/Libra
Blue Sapphire --Saturn-- Capricorn/Aquarius
Hessonite-- Rahu --*
Cat's Eye-- Ketu --*


Note: Other natural stones can be substituted according to color. These secondary choice gems are known collectively as "Uparatna " or alternate stones. These secondary choice jewels are listed in chapters III and IV.

The most important difference in the use of astrological gems by the two systems is that inthe Eastern system gems are recognized as possessing unique planetary powers which may be prescribed for specific purposes. We must first look to see which planets (if any) are in their "own sign" (sign ownership), or are "exalted" (maximum strength) or in "mulatrikona "(trine), or at least in a "friendly sign." All of these "auspicious" planetary sign positions give positive results and will be beneficial to "strengthen." Prescribing gems to "pacify" afflicted planets has not proven beneficial in our experience. Planets which are in a harmful condition in one's horoscope should not be made stronger, except when under the watchful eye of a "selfless" Sidereal astrologer.

*According to B. V. Raman and other authorities, since Rahu and Ketu are aprakasha or shadowy planets, they will reflect the qualities of the lord of the (zodiac) sign they are in. If Rahu is in located Leo, a sign ruled by the Sun, look to the position of Sun in the chart and expect similar effects for Rahu.