by Evelyn J. Mocbeichel
by Evelyn J. Mocbeichel
Most people know what birth stone is represented by the month of their birthday, but how many of us realize how this naming came about? Back in 1912 the American National Association of Jewelers, now called Jewelers of America officially adopted a modern list, then updated it in 1952. In Eastern culture the gemstones are recognized with birth and with celestial bodies and astrology determines the gemstone. Some cultures believe wearing your birthstone supposedly “wards off potential problems based on forces in the sky.” Those less superstitious just wear their gemstones for their beauty and adornment to compliment an outfit. Here are the names of the months and their assigned gemstones. January –Garnet, February – Amethyst, March – Aquamarine, April – Diamond, May-Emerald, June – Pearl, July-Ruby, August – Peridot, September – Sapphire, October –Opal, November-Topaz, December – Turquoise.
Gems in Movies: Why do viewers find it so intriguing when a film centers on an opulent and expensive jewel? Whether the jewel is connected to a large scale “heist”, or being worn by a beautiful actress or person in history, the storyline is always compelling! Think about the jazz song made popular when Marilyn Monroe sang Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend in the 1953 film, Gentleman Prefer Blondes. That film clip of Marilyn in a satin pink dress, flanked by men dancing behind her in tuxedoes, is still enjoyable watching to this day. Then there is the 1961 Breakfast at Tiffany’s starring Audrey Hepburn wearing her sunglasses, tiara and her necklace made of five strands of pearls, made in platinum, yellow gold and diamonds. That necklace was mined in South Africa in 1877 and Charles Tiffany bought it the next year for $18,000. Another classic film, High Society made in 1956, starred Grace Kelly as a wealthy socialite. In that film she wore many jewels but the most popular was a Cartier ring, with an emerald cut 10.47 carat diamond sent in platinum. Later it was learned the ring was actually her second engagement ring, given to her by Prince Rainier III when he heard she had to wear a giant solitaire on set! Called a “modern fairytale”, Julia Roberts’s role in Pretty Woman had her sporting a white gold necklace with diamonds and 23 rubies that was especially made for the 1990 film and worth over a million dollars. But the most famous of all pieces of jewelry that had a lead role in a film has to be the ‘Heart of the Ocean’ gem that was seen in the opening of the 1997 film Titanic, as it was tossed into the sea! The 56 carat, heart shaped diamond, deep blue color was seen throughout the film on the neck of Rose, played by Kate Winslet, a starring character. We can’t forget the gentlemen here and films they starred in with titles containing gems. There is the classic 1971 James Bond Diamonds are Forever, with Sean Connery and Blood Diamond with Leonardo DiCaprio. Looking back to the origin of many films and it is obvious they began as popular novels. Some of the more famous ones that come to mind are Girl with a Pearl Earring, based on the painting by Dutch artist, Johannes Vermeer, or The Pearl, a novella by John Steinbeck, the story of a Mexican oyster diving that finds a giant, valuable pearl.
Gems in Song: Who can recall some of these hits with gems in their titles that we might enjoy singing along with? There’s Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by the Beatles, This Diamond Ring by Gary Lewis and the Playboys and the way back in time (1960) Diamonds and Pearls by the Paradons. For some old fashioned nostalgia and to listen to the Paradons recording, visit this site on YouTUBE and hear their beautiful, sentimental lyrics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKnV-VHGpcA