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Children have worn jewelry throughout the centuries for several different reasons.  Jewelry has mostly been used for personal decoration.  But children have also worn jewelry to show status and wealth.  Superstitious beliefs have also played a part in the historical use of jewelry for children.  Parents once believed that certain pieces had the power to ward off evil spirits, prevent sickness, and protect their children from bad luck.  Cambodian parents adorned their children's ankles with silver chains embellished with bells, in an attempt to ward off evil spirits.  These pieces were also useful for knowing if their baby or toddler had ventured away from them and was out of safety. In ancient times, necklaces and bracelets were made from shells, animal teeth, bits of wood and bone, leather, pebbles, berries, and feathers. These pieces were worn by infants as well as by older children.  Babies were often presented with a simple necklace or bracelet at birth.  In ancient Hebrew times... read more »

A birthstone is a gem that is associated with a month of the year.  According to tradition, a birthstone brings good luck to a person born in its month.  It is thought that the belief in birthstones originated from a Biblical story about Aaron, the first high priest of the Israelites.  The breastplate of Aaron is of interest to gem lovers and jewelers, because it is an early account of the use of gemstones for both decoration and symbol.  The breastplate is described in Exodus 28:15-20, where it is noted that Aaron's breastplate was decorated with 12 precious stones that symbolized the 12 tribes of Israel.  The gemstones were to be attached in four rows of three, and each gem was to have the name of a tribe inscribed upon it.  As it is written in Exodus 28:29, "Whenever Aaron enters the Holy place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastplate of decision as a continuing memorial before the Lord."                              Early writers later link... read more »

January's birthstone, the garnet, is thought to encourage sweet dreams and keep the wearer safe during travel.  Garnet is known to symbolize constancy, which means firmness of mind, or stability.  The garnet also signifies eternal friendship and trust, and is the perfect gift for a friend.  Garnet, derived from the Latin word "gratatum," means seed, and is called so because of the gemstone's resemblance to a pomegranate seed.  A Greek myth associated with the garnet is the story of the young goddess of sunshine, Persephone, who was abducted by Hades, god of the underworld.  Hades eventually released Persephone -- but not before he offered her some pomegranate seeds, which guaranteed her return to him.  Historical texts suggest that the healing properties of the garnet includes strength as well as protection, and was often worn to relieve inflammations of the skin, regulate the heart and blood flow, and aid in curing depression. Most commonly known to be a deep dark red, the garnet i... read more »

Amethyst, the birthstone for February, was believed by ancient Greeks and Romans to ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus, the god of wine and intoxication. 

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Derived from the Roman word "Aqua" meaning water and "mare" meaning sea, this pale blue gem does indeed resemble the color of seawater. 

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Amethyst, the birthstone for February, was believed by ancient Greeks and Romans to ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus, the god of wine and intoxication. 

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Derived from the Roman word "Aqua" meaning water and "mare" meaning sea, this pale blue gem does indeed resemble the color of seawater. 

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April's birthstone, the diamond, is remarkably simple in composition yet stunning in its unique ability to reflect and refract light into vivid flashes of brilliant color.  The word "diamond" comes from the Greek word "adamas," meaning unconquerable or invincible.  The myths and facts associated with the diamond transcend cultures and continents, and the prominence of this stone is inscribed in the Greek, Indian, English, French, German, Hebrew, Latin, Arabic, Japanese, American, African, Korean, Polish and Chinese cultures.  The ancient Hindus called the diamond "vajra," meaning lightening, both because of the sparks of light thrown off by this gem as well as its invincible strength.  The diamond is the hardest substance on earth.  

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May's birthstone is the intense, brilliant green emerald.  Emerald is derived from the word smaragdus, meaning green in Greek.  Within its depths are tiny fractures which the French call "jardin," or garden, because of their resemblance to foliage.  The ancient Romans associated this gemstone with fertility and rebirth, and dedicated it to Venus, the goddess of love and beauty.

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