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January Garnet Birthstone Swirl Cross Pendant Necklace - With 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$34.99

January - Garnet The simple yet January Garnet Birthstone Swirl Cross Pendant Necklace comes with your choice of one of twelve birthstones - any from January to December. These January Garnet Birthstone Swirl Cross Pendant Necklace include an 18” sterling silver chain with a spring-ring clasp. The January Garnet Birthstone Swirl...

January, Garnet - Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant - With 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$49.99

January - Garnet This stunning birthstone cross pendant merges the old with the new in a modern take on antique styling. Elegant yet fashionable, each pendant makes the perfect complement to any outfit and can be worn for any occasion - formal or casual. Comes with an 18" sterling silver...

February Amethyst Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace - With 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$34.99

February - Amethyst The simple yet stunning Swirl Cross Pendant comes with your choice of one of twelve lab colored birthstones - any from January to December. These February Amethyst Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Pendant Necklaces include an 18” sterling silver chain with a spring-ring clasp. The February Amethyst...

February Amethyst Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant - With 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$49.99

February - Amethyst This stunning February Amethyst Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant merges the old with the new in a modern take on antique styling. Elegant yet fashionable, each February Amethyst Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant makes the perfect complement to any outfit and can be worn for any occasion - formal...

March, Aquamarine - Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace - With18" Sterling Silver Chain

$34.99

March - Aquamarine The simple yet stunning Swirl Cross Pendant comes with your choice of one of twelve lab colored birthstones - any from January to December. These sterling silver pendants include an 18” sterling silver chain with a spring-ring clasp. The jewelry comes packaged in a lovely black velvet...

March Aquamarine Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant - With 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$54.99

March - Aquamarine This stunning March Aquamarine Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant merges the old with the new in a modern take on antique styling. Elegant yet fashionable, each March Aquamarine Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant makes the perfect complement to any outfit and can be worn for any occasion - formal...

April Cubic Zirconia Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Necklace - With 18" Sterling silver Chain

$34.99

April - Cubic Zirconia The simple yet stunning Swirl Cross Pendant comes with your choice of one of twelve lab colored birthstones - any from January to December. These April Cubic Zirconia Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Necklaces include an 18” sterling silver chain with a spring-ring clasp. The April...

April Cubic Zirconia Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant - with 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$79.99

April - Cubic Zirconia This stunning April Cubic Zirconia Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant merges the old with the new in a modern take on antique styling. Elegant yet fashionable, each April Cubic Zirconia Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant makes the perfect complement to any outfit and can be worn for any occasion...

May Emerald Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Necklace - 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$34.99

May - Emerald The simple yet stunning Swirl Cross Pendant comes with your choice of one of twelve lab colored birthstones - any from January to December. These May Emerald Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Pendant Necklaces include an 18” sterling silver chain with a spring-ring clasp. The May Emerald...

Antique Emerald May Birthstone Cross Pendant - With 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$49.99

May - Emerald This stunning Antique Emerald May Birthstone Cross Pendant merges the old with the new in a modern take on antique styling. Elegant yet fashionable, each Antique Emerald May Birthstone Cross Pendant makes the perfect complement to any outfit and can be worn for any occasion - formal...

June Alexandrite Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Necklace - With 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$34.99

June - Alexandrite The simple yet stunning Swirl Cross Pendant comes with your choice of one of twelve lab colored birthstones. TheseJune Alexandrite Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Pendant Necklaces include an 18” sterling silver chain with a spring-ring clasp. The June Alexandrite Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace comes...

June Alexandrite Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant - With 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$49.99

June - Alexandrite This stunning June Alexandrite Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant merges the old with the new in a modern take on antique styling. Elegant yet fashionable, each June Alexandrite Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant makes the perfect complement to any outfit and can be worn for any occasion. Each June...

July Ruby Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Necklace - With 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$34.99

July - Ruby The simple yet stunning Swirl Cross Pendant comes with your choice of one of twelve lab colored birthstones - any from January to December. These July Ruby Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Pendant Necklaces include an 18” sterling silver chain with a spring-ring clasp. The July Ruby...

July Ruby Birthstone Cross Pendant - With 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$59.99

July - Ruby This stunning July Ruby Birthstone Cross Pendant merges the old with the new in a modern take on antique styling. Elegant yet fashionable, each July Ruby Birthstone Cross pendant makes the perfect complement to any outfit and can be worn for any occasion - formal or casual. Each...

August Peridot Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Necklace - With 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$34.99

August - Peridot The simple yet stunning Swirl Cross Pendant comes with your choice of one of twelve lab colored birthstones - any from January to December. These August Peridot Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Necklace include an 18” sterling silver chain with a spring-ring clasp. The August Peridot Birthstone...

August Peridot Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant - With 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$49.99

August - Peridot This stunning August Peridot Antique Birthstone Cross pendant merges the old with the new in a modern take on antique styling. Elegant yet fashionable, each August Peridot Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant makes the perfect complement to any outfit and can be worn for any occasion - formal...

September Blue Sapphire Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Necklace - With 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$34.99

September - Sapphire The simple yet stunning Swirl Cross Pendant comes with your choice of one of twelve lab colored birthstones - any from January to December. These September Blue Sapphire Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Necklace include an 18” sterling silver chain with a spring-ring clasp. The September Blue...

Antique Blue Sapphire September Birthstone Cross Pendant - With 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$79.99

September - Sapphire This stunning September, Blue Sapphire - Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant merges the old with the new in a modern take on antique styling. Elegant yet fashionable, each Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant makes the perfect complement to any outfit and can be worn for any occasion - formal...

October Pink Tourmaline Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace - With 18 Sterling Silver Chain

$34.99

October - Pink Tourmaline The simple yet stunning Birthstone Swirl Cross Pendant comes with your choice of one of twelve lab colored birthstones - any from January to December. These October Pink Tourmaline Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace includes an 18” sterling silver chain with a spring ring...

Antique Pink Tourmaline October Birthstone Cross Pendant - With 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$49.99

October - Pink Tourmaline This stunning Antique Pink Tourmaline October Birthstone Cross Pendant merges the old with the new in a modern take on antique styling. Elegant yet fashionable, each Antique Pink Tourmaline October Birthstone Cross Pendant makes the perfect complement to any outfit and can be worn for any...

November Citrine Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace - With 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$34.99

November - Citrine The simple yet stunning Swirl Cross Pendant comes with your choice of one of twelve lab colored birthstones - any from January to December. This November Citrine Birthstone Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace includes an 18” sterling silver chain with a spring-ring clasp. The November Citrine Birthstone...

November Citrine Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant - With 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$49.99

November - Citrine This stunning November Citrine Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant the old with the new in a modern take on antique styling. Elegant yet fashionable, each November Citrine Antique Birthstone Cross Pendant makes the perfect complement to any outfit and can be worn for any occasion - formal or...

December Birthstone Blue Topaz Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace - With 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$34.99

December - Blue Topaz These December Birthstone Blue Topaz Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Pendant includes an 18” sterling silver chain with a spring-ring clasp. The December Birthstone Blue Topaz Swirl Cross Sterling Silver Pendant comes packaged in a lovely black velvet hinged gift box. Ideal as a Valentine, First Communion,...

Antique Blue Topaz December Birthstone Cross Pendant - With 18" Sterling Silver Chain

$64.99

December - Blue Topaz This stunning antique Blue Topaz December Birthstone Cross Pendant merges the old with the new in a modern take on antique styling. Elegant yet fashionable, each Antique Blue Topaz December Birthstone Cross Pendant makes the perfect complement to any outfit and can be worn for any...

LOGOS TRADING POST - BIRTHSTONES

The Breastplate of Aaron

Exodus 28:15-21 has had an interesting impact on today’s world, and it says, “You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, in skilled work; you shall make it in the style of the ephod; of gold, of blue and purple and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen you shall make it. It shall be square and doubled, a span in length and a span in width. You shall set in it four rows of stones. A row of carnelian, chrysolite, and emerald shall be the first row; and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a moonstone; and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper; they shall be set in gold filigree. There shall be twelve stones with names corresponding to the names of the sons of Israel; they shall be like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes.” Have you guessed it? That’s right; though they were known by different names in the far-off past, these stones from Aaron’s breastplate have come to be known as the birthstones.

The New Jerusalem

Interestingly, it was also pointed out in early Christianity that there is an additional list of twelve gemstones in the Bible, found in Revelation 21:19-20, which says, “The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.” This list of stones refers to the city walls of the New Jerusalem, a city descended from heaven and meant for God’s renewed creation. Therefore, both the list used for the walls of New Jerusalem and the list used for the breastplate of Aaron have more than enough theological merit behind them.

What Are the Birthstones?

Of course, if you’re looking to find out what are widely considered to be the birthstones just from these scriptures, you’re out of luck! Not only do the above scripture references have differences in the stones listed, but those they have in common also appear in a different order. Much of this can be attributed to people of the past simply not having access to the gemstone research we have in modern day, but not all of it.

Throughout history and in a variety of cultures, gemstones have been attributed symbolic meanings, with some of the symbolism dating so far back that it is lost in time. That said, the story goes that Christian theologians took notice of these lists of stones in scripture in relation to other Biblical collections of twelve and determined the number was of great significance to God. Additionally, they noticed that something in their immediate cultural context, the Greek Zodiac, was also a collection of twelve. Somewhere along the way, the Bible’s collections of twelve gemstones were married together with the idea of the date of one’s birth during the year.

Over time, due to the disparity of the two lists (and not to mention different approaches to Bible translation), the list of stones gradually evolved into what it currently is today.

Mind you, there’s not exactly total agreement as to the what the birthstones are, even now. Generally speaking, jewelers and gem appreciators stick to one of two lists - either the “traditional” list or the “modern” one.

Traditional Birthstone List

The traditional list was developed somewhere between four-hundred and two-hundred years ago, based on the scriptures mentioned above. The traditional list is as follows:

Garnet is the January birthstone,

Amethyst is the February birthstone,

Bloodstone is the March birthstone,

Diamond is the April birthstone,

Emerald is the May birthstone,

Pearl is the June birthstone,

Ruby is the July birthstone,

Sardonyx is the August birthstone,

Sapphire is the September birthstone,

Opal is the October birthstone,

Topaz is the November birthstone,

and Turquoise/Lapis is the December birthstone.

Modern Birthstone List

Now, the modern list is a bit more complex. The American National Jeweler’s Association declared the modern birthstones in 1912. It can be presumed that they wanted to focus on clear gems rather than stones in general, as such gems are much more common in jewelry. It remains true today; when searching for birthstone jewelry or birthstone gifts in general, it is much easier to find pieces made using the modern list. This theory holds even more water due to the fact that each birthstone brought over from the traditional list fits the description of a clear gem. The modern list, due to its basis upon the traditional list, still calls back to its scriptural basis, but the connection is looser since the list is technically arbitrary. Not to mention, due to this factor, the modern list is harder to agree upon, resulting in some months being represented by multiple stones. The modern list is as follows:

Garnet is the January birthstone (unchanged),

Amethyst is the February birthstone (unchanged),

Aquamarine is the March birthstone,

Diamond is the April birthstone (unchanged),

Emerald is the May birthstone (unchanged),

Alexandrite is the June birthstone,

Ruby is the July birthstone (unchanged),

Peridot or Spinel are the August birthstones,

Sapphire is the September birthstone (unchanged),

Tourmaline is the October birthstone,

Golden Topaz or Citrine are the November birthstones,

and Blue Zircon, Blue Topaz, or Tanzanite are the December birthstones.

What are the Birthstones at Logos Trading Post?

Each list has its merits, but what you may notice while browsing our site is that Logos Trading Post sticks to the modern list. There is certainly no shortage of beautiful jewelry made using the traditional stones, but we felt using the modern list of clear gems made for a more coherent collection.

That said, our Christian faith and our trust in the Word of God are important matters to us. We maintain that the modern list still honors the tradition of scripture. Ideally, each birthstone necklace - no matter which month or stone - will remind you of the passages upon which it is based. Consider the purchase of a sterling silver cross necklace, adorned with a stone to remind you of Israel’s worthwhile struggle in the past and the New Jerusalem of the future - or better yet, to remind you that your birth and the One who made it possible are worth celebrating!