Birthstones in Poland and Imitations

The Poles have a fanciful belief that each month of the year is under the influence of a precious stone, which influence has a corresponding effect on the destiny of a person born during the respective month. Consequently it is customary among friends and lovers, on birth-days, to make reciprocal presents of trinkets ornamented with the natal stones. The stones and their influences, corresponding with each month, are supposed to be as follows:

January--Garnet. Constancy and Fidelity.

February--Amethyst. Sincerity.

March--Bloodstone. Courage, presence of mind.

April--Diamond. Innocence.

May--Emerald. Success in love.

June--Agate. Health and long life.

July--Cornelian. Contented mind.

August--Sardonyx. Conjugal felicity.

September--Chrysolite. Antidote against madness.

October--Opal. Hope.

November--Topaz. Fidelity.

December--Turquoise. Prosperity.

Modern jewellers are known to palm off imitations of gems; and so did sellers of trinkets in ancient times. The moderns only run the chance of a loss of custom; but the latter were well off if they got no greater fright than the jeweller who sold to the wife of Gallienus a ring with a piece of glass in it. Gallienus ordered the cheat to be placed in the circus, as though he were to be exposed to the ferocity of a lion. While the miserable jeweller trembled at the expectation of instant death, the executioner, by order of the emperor, let loose a capon upon him. An uncommon laugh was raised at this; and the emperor observed that he who had deceived others should expect to be deceived himself.

A ring often figures in the old English ballads. Thus, in Child Noryce, the hero of it invites Lady Barnard to the merry greenwood:

"Here is a ring, a ring, he says,

It's all gold but the stane;

You may tell her to come to the merry greenwood,