Gemstones have played various roles in the myths and legends of human cultures throughout history. Gathered from all corners of the world, each is unique with a special color, birthplace, story, or supposed powers.
The origin of birthstones is believed to date back to the breastplate of Aaron which contained twelve gemstones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The current list dates back to 1912 with only one addition since then – the tanzanite was added to December.
Garnet, the birthstone for January, signifies eternal friendship and trust. It’s also traditionally believed that garnets help keep travelers safe.
Amethyst, the birthstone for February, is believed by ancient Greeks and Romans to ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus and is also said to keep the wearer clear-headed and quick-witted.
The name aquamarine is derived from the Latin word aqua, meaning water, and marina, meaning the sea. This gemstone was believed to protect sailors, as well as to guarantee a safe voyage.
Diamond, April’s birthstone, is known for prismatic beauty and hardness, and they are highly valued for these and other qualities. At one time, it was even thought that if you took a diamond into bed with you, it would cure your illness!
As the birthstone for May, the emerald, a symbol of rebirth, is believed to grant the owner foresight, good fortune, and youth.
The pearl is a birthstone for the month of June. For centuries, pearls have been used as an adornment., and were one of the favorite gem materials of the Roman Empire. Later in Tudor England, the 1500s were known as the pearl age.
Ruby, the birthstone for July, arouses the senses, stirs the imagination, and is said to guarantee health, wisdom, wealth and success in love.
Peridot, August’s birthstone is said to host magical powers and healing properties to protect against nightmares and to bring the wearer power, influence, and a wonderful year.
Sapphire, the September birthstone, has been popular since the Middle Ages and, according to folklore, will protect your loved ones from envy and harm.
Opals belong to October and were greatly valued by ancient monarchs for their protective powers. They were worn as jewelry and in crowns to ward off evil and to protect the wearer’s eyesight.
Citrine, November’s birthstone, was believed to have magical powers and was worn as protection against evil and snake venom poisoning.
December’s birthstone, turquoise, comes from the French expression Pierre tourques or Turkish stone; it came to light in the thirteenth century and describes one of the oldest known gemstones. The Navajo believe that turquoise is a part of the sky that fell to Earth.
Try It
Find your birthstone from the list above and write a poem about yourself as the gemstone. Are you the protective Sapphire, the powerful Peridot, or the magical Opal? Click the link to this site if you’d like to learn more about birthstones and gems.
Featured Poem
Thanks to everyone who participated in last week’s poetry prompt. Here’s a poem from Andrew we enjoyed:
Deep in the depths of darkness rise
The pearls of silver, golden eyes
And ribbons made of steel.
Whatever man has made for king,
Whatever he has thought to feel
Captured is by my hand, upon a ring.
Fountains of fury burst from stone,
The bellows make a distant moan
And door stands open to the yard.
I am a Blacksmith, simple-born
Raised in a landscape plain and hard,
Yet of my past life I am shorn.
Here flows the golden river bright
Blinding to man who has no sight,
Fairest to those who fair are not.
This stream I mould to suit my mood;
Made bright by demons I have fought,
Or plain when thought is calm and good.
And still I pound the anvil on,
Embrace it as a birthing song
And set the chaos of creation free.
The strain is fierce, but delicate
I craft the fairest jewellery,
So ladies can feel elegant.
—by Andrew H
Photo by Carodean Road Designs. Creative Commons via Flickr.
Browse more writing prompts
Browse poetry teaching resources
How to Write a Poem uses images like the buzz, the switch, the wave—from the Billy Collins poem “Introduction to Poetry”—to guide writers into new ways of writing poems. Excellent teaching tool. Anthology and prompts included.
“How to Write a Poem is a classroom must-have.”
—Callie Feyen, English Teacher, Maryland
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[…] Written for TweetSpeak. Poetry prompt: You’re a gem, birthstones. Photo from Wikipedia. Interesting information about emeralds found on Geology.com & […]
Jon says
Mine is Aquamarine
When is want peace I close my eyes and picture
You
Hair fluttering feathery wisps, smiling
in the sun,
you sparkle and shine with
Your
Ear rings the color of a sea breeze.
Jon says
is to I
Mine is Aquamarine
When I want peace I close my eyes and picture
You
Hair fluttering feathery wisps, smiling
in the sun,
you sparkle and shine with
Your
Ear rings the color of a sea breeze.
Bethany says
Love the description: “fluttering feathery wisps”
Heather Eure says
“you sparkle and shine”
I like how she’s also compared to a gemstone. Thanks for sharing!
Andrew H says
Thanks for choosing my one!
Like Jon, I’m Aquamarine.
Pulse of the sea, feel of the foam
On face and hands. Reflected waves
Cast oscillating curves of blue
Into the inner mind. It calls,
And to its call I am as water,
Soft and mouldable. For it is me
As I wish I was. Bright, perfect,
And clear. A blue of passion, a
Bombardier blue, a sightless,
Blinding blue. And I can not resist
Nor do I want to. Within, the waves
Crash softly, whilst without
They capture curves of coast I’ve seen,
Only now caught in depths
That cry of fair aquamarine.
Jon says
Lovely this
Heather Eure says
“Only now caught in depths
That cry of fair aquamarine.”
Wonderful, Andrew!
Christina Hubbard says
I love these lines, Andrew: “Bombardier blue, a sightless,
Blinding blue. And I can not resist
Nor do I want to. ” Such power and surrender. Sublime.
Monica Sharman says
Opal’s Grief
She and her mother were born
in October. I am their common gem.
The mother set me in a gold ring
given to the girl when she turned
sixteen. Earrings, too, still adorn
the daughter’s ears, decades later,
especially on the first Mother’s Day
without her.
Andrew H says
Very evocative poem, Monica – thank you.
Heather Eure says
Monica, how lovely and heartfelt.
Christina Hubbard says
Monica, I really love the tight form of this poem. Well done.
Christina Hubbard says
Water of the Sea
I was cast clearly, a tidal pool
Of purpose
When I was a mere urchin of a child.
But no sea creature am I.
Drink full into my lightening eye.
I will swallow you
Whole with my innocent knowledge
Of night turned day o’er waves.
I will save you from the lurking monsters
Slithering at your heels
With a swift scissor kick of a thought.
That is my shine.
Swim fast to me.
Reach into shallows and snatch me up.
Don’t look away
For Cirrus shadows my scintillation.
Hold me level with the horizon in your hand.
You will see yourself diving
Into oceans
Rising up, baptized and clean.
Bethany says
Love this, Christina:
“With a swift scissor kick of a thought.
That is my shine.”
Thanks for sharing your poem here.
Leara Morris-Clark says
Green Emerald Birth
http://learawrites.wordpress.com
@learavoice
Created from unlikely conditions
Her rarity is assured
Visible fractures and inclusions are
Evidence of distress and legacy
Contributing to her unique
Multifaceted formation
Hard yet fragile
Teeming with life renewed
Destined to perpetual rebirth
Bethany says
You got my attention right away with: ‘Created from unlikely conditions”
Thanks for sharing your poem, Leara. 🙂
Leara Morris-Clark says
Thank you! I enjoyed doing a little research about emeralds and integrating that into the poem 🙂