History of Birthstones

It has become a custom to celebrate each month of the year with a birthstone.  Historians claim this tradition actually began in biblical times when Aaron was to have said to have 12 stones in his breastplate to represent the 12 tribes of Juda.  About 1912, it is rumored to have been a Jewish jeweler that introduced a jewel for each month.  The month of January being Garnet, which comes from the Latin word for pomegranate.  It is said that garnet is a stone of inner strength, commitment and emotional balance.