The Tiffany Birthstone Poem
'The Tiffany Birthstone Poem', also known as The Gregorian Birthstone Poem is an anonymous series of 12 short verses, each four lines long, that was printed in a pamphlet by Tiffany and Co., a fine jewelry store, in 1870, presumably to encourage the sales of birthstone jewelry. The word "Gregorian" in the title is not explained; it seems to allude to an older era, of Gregorian monks and pre-Raphaelite aesthetics. Certainly the poetical form is deliberately antiquated.
The scansion of the poem is the familiar "British Magical Enchantment" scansion that is also found on fortune-telling tea cups]
It forms the basis for many of the Birthstone postcard texts, even those that do nor contain the full four lines per card, but make do instead with a mere rhymed couplet.
Over the years some stones, such as June's humble Agate, have fallen out of favour with jewelers, to be replaced with the more costly "Peals" -- which, alas, breaks the scansion, unless one is in the habit of pronouncing "Pearls" as "Per'-uls."
Likewise, the rather exotic "Sardonyx" of August has, in the hands of some jewelers, been replaced with "Peridot," which at least has the same number of syllables, even if the stressors are different.
Birthstone postcards with verses that derive from his poem will be marked as such.
Thanks to my Patron Kristina Bailey for bringing The Tiffany Birthstone Poem to my attention,
January
By her who in this month was born
No gem save Garnets shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy,
True friendship, and fidelity.
February
The February-born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they the Amethyst will wear.
March
Who in this world of ours their eyes
In March first open shall be wise,
In days of peril firm and brave,
And wear a Bloodstone to their grave.
April
She who from April dates her years
Diamonds shall wear, lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow; this stone,
Emblem of innocence, is known
May
Who first beholds the light of day
In spring's sweet, flowery month of May
And wears an Emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and a loving wife.
June
Who comes with summer to this earth,
And owes to June her hour of birth,
With ring of Agate on her hand
Can health, wealth, and long life command.
July
The glowing Ruby shall adorn
All those who in July are born,
For thus they'll be exempt and free,
From love’s doubts and anxiety.
August
Wear Sardonyx or for thee,
No conjugal felicity;
The August-born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved and lone.
September
A maiden born when autumn leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze,
A Sapphire on her brow should bind;
To bring her joy and peace of mind. / 'Twill cure diseases of the mind.
October
October's child is born for woe,
And life's vicissitudes must know,
But lay an Opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.
November
Who first comes to this world below
With drear November's fog and snow,
Should prize the Topaz amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.
December
If cold December gave you birth
The month of snow and ice and mirth
Place on your hand a Turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate'er you do.