Valuable, colorful, and enriched with a unique history are three phrases that describe many things. However, all three combined only seem to describe Birthstones. Birthstones are amazing objects that affect our economy in many ways. More importantly, birthstones have a deep connection to chemistry and science. Due to their chemical properties, birthstones can also be used for medicinal purposes and healing techniques that have helped humans throughout time. Overall, birthstones contain many disciplines and the concept is one of the most interesting created during the Anthropocene, the era marking the dominance of humans. The history of birthstones is mostly theory and speculation. Birthstones’ history usually differs depending on the different religious and cultural perspectives present in the community. However, all of the views link back to a certain point in time, making them all reliable. Very little proof of the actual history of birthstones has been discovered so all forms of evidence are accepted and combined in a way that satisfies all. This process can be compared to the theory of the Big Bang. The Big Bang has just enough evidence and appeal that many historians and scholars accept it. For example, microwave background radiation is a piece of evidence used to explain the Big Bang while the Bible consists of evidence used to explain the beginnings of Birthstones. Histories with connections to many views, such as the Big Bang’s and Birthstones’, are easy to accept and understand. Birthstone’s history show many connections to different views and pulls them all together to form a unique and enthralling history. Birthstones first main connection to its history is one of the most influential religious texts in human history; the Bible. In the Bible, the book of Enos references a breastplate made for Aaron. The Breastplate of Aaron (see figure 7) has twelve stones on the front, said to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Different religions describe different stones that were present in the design of the breastplate. For example, the Amish religion describes dull, pale stones such as granite or amethyst to signify humility and honesty. On the other hand, many Christian religions imagine lustrous and valuable stones like ruby and opal that represent purity and the importance of each tribe. These beliefs later connected the stones to the twelve months of the year and paired them with one month (8). Each of these views represents the birthstones preferred by some different religions. However, Eastern Asian and European religions have other views on Birthstones history. The second main link in birthstones history is the twelve Zodiac symbols and animals commonly used European and Asian religions. The growing popularity of the Zodiac over the years has also boosted the popularity of Birthstones
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So far, scientists and geologists have concluded the Goldilocks Conditions, conditions that are just right, needed to make each birthstone. Each stone has at least three conditions needed. These conditions are climate, pressure, and heat (3). All birthstones form in different climates. For example, the peridot (see figure 2) is a volcanic birthstone and usually forms near ground shaped by volcanoes where magnesium and iron are present. On the other hand, an opal (see figure 3) usually forms in humid climates near the ocean. Scientists collectively learned from another’s notes on the subject to find out and recognize the climate each Birthstone needs to form. Now a mine shaft site can be founded just by looking at the conditions of the landscape around it. One of the revealing factors in the location of a stone can also be its chemical …show more content…
Birthstones aid in various problems such as slowing cancer, blood clots, heart pain, memory loss, arthritis, stress relief, liver balance, and nerve inflammation (10). Each problem can only be alleviated by certain stones. Birthstones can heal, or help, due to the properties that created them much like salt settles an upset stomach. For example, the amber is thought to help with memory loss, purify the body, alleviate headaches, and aide bone and heart problems. Another example, rubies are said to detoxify the body, blood, and lymphatic system (11). Some birthstones are capable of doing all these things but the healing comes in long periods of time and should not be expected to happen
So far, scientists and geologists have concluded the Goldilocks Conditions, conditions that are just right, needed to make each birthstone. Each stone has at least three conditions needed. These conditions are climate, pressure, and heat (3). All birthstones form in different climates. For example, the peridot (see figure 2) is a volcanic birthstone and usually forms near ground shaped by volcanoes where magnesium and iron are present. On the other hand, an opal (see figure 3) usually forms in humid climates near the ocean. Scientists collectively learned from another’s notes on the subject to find out and recognize the climate each Birthstone needs to form. Now a mine shaft site can be founded just by looking at the conditions of the landscape around it. One of the revealing factors in the location of a stone can also be its chemical …show more content…
Birthstones aid in various problems such as slowing cancer, blood clots, heart pain, memory loss, arthritis, stress relief, liver balance, and nerve inflammation (10). Each problem can only be alleviated by certain stones. Birthstones can heal, or help, due to the properties that created them much like salt settles an upset stomach. For example, the amber is thought to help with memory loss, purify the body, alleviate headaches, and aide bone and heart problems. Another example, rubies are said to detoxify the body, blood, and lymphatic system (11). Some birthstones are capable of doing all these things but the healing comes in long periods of time and should not be expected to happen