Throughout human history, the extraordinary beauty and rarity of gemstones inspired countless myths about their origins. Ancient cultures often attributed magical or divine creation stories to precious stones. Greek mythology claimed that diamonds were tears of the gods or splinters from falling stars. In Hindu tradition, various gems were formed from the body parts of the demon Bala after he was defeated by the god Indra. These cosmic origin stories reflected humanity's attempts to explain the otherworldly brilliance and remarkable properties of gemstones.
Gemstones have been worn as protective talismans across civilizations. Ancient Egyptians placed lapis lazuli scarabs in tombs to guide and protect the deceased in the afterlife. Medieval Europeans carried bloodstone amulets, believing they could stop bleeding and protect against poison. Jade has been carved into protective figures throughout Chinese history, with imperial families particularly valuing its ability to preserve the body after death. Amber, formed from fossilized tree resin, was believed to capture the power of the sun and ward off illness in many Baltic and Mediterranean cultures.
Religious texts frequently mention gemstones as having spiritual significance. The Bible describes the High Priest's breastplate adorned with twelve different gemstones representing the twelve tribes of Israel, and later text depicts the foundations of the New Jerusalem made from twelve precious stones. In Islamic tradition, ruby is especially revered, with some texts suggesting it was formed from the crystallized blood of Allah. Buddhist sutras mention the "seven treasures"—gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal, agate, ruby, and cornelian—as offerings to the Buddha.
Some individual gemstones became the focus of elaborate legends. The Hope Diamond supposedly carries a curse, bringing misfortune to its owners after it was allegedly stolen from a Hindu temple statue. The Black Orlov diamond was said to have been pried from the eye of a statue of the Hindu god Brahma, cursing all who owned it. In Persian folklore, turquoise was believed to change color in response to its owner's health and fortunes, serving as an early warning system for illness or betrayal.
Today, many ancient beliefs about gemstones persist in modern crystal healing practices and New Age spirituality. While contemporary science does not support supernatural properties of gemstones, their cultural and psychological significance endures. Birthstone traditions, which assign specific gems to months of the year, evolved from ancient astrological associations and continue to influence gem purchases worldwide. The rich tapestry of myths and legends surrounding gemstones demonstrates their enduring power to captivate the human imagination across time and cultures.