The tradition of assigning a specific gemstone to each month of the year is a practice with roots stretching back millennia, a cultural tapestry woven from ancient beliefs, biblical references, and evolving trade practices. In the 21st century, this tradition has found a novel and unexpected home on one of the world's most popular social media platforms: Snapchat. Through its "Friend's Birthstone Charm," the ephemeral messaging app has created a digital interface for an age-old custom, encouraging a new generation to engage with the history, symbolism, and beauty of birthstones. While the platform does not display a specific gemstone for every user, it leverages the concept of the birthstone as a charm—a special memento awarded based on friendship and connection—thereby transforming a personal identifier into a shared social experience. This article explores the function of Snapchat's charms, the historical journey of birthstones from ancient talismans to modern accessories, and how digital platforms are reshaping our interaction with these enduring symbols of identity and connection.
The inclusion of a “Friend’s Birthstone Charm” within Snapchat demonstrates a contemporary adaptation of the ancient tradition of birthstones. By incorporating this element into its platform, Snapchat acknowledges the cultural significance of these gemstones and provides a fun, personalized way for users to connect with their friends based on their birthdates. The charm serves as a digital reminder of the unique qualities and symbolism associated with each birthstone, encouraging users to learn more about the gemstone and its associated meanings. This can foster a deeper appreciation for the history and lore surrounding these precious stones. The platform’s emphasis on friendship and connection further enhances the significance of the birthstone charm, transforming it into a symbol of shared identity and mutual understanding.
Snapchat, initially a simple photo-sharing application, has evolved into a multifaceted social media platform with a range of engaging features. Among these, “Charms” stand out as special mementos celebrating friendships and interactions. These charms, automatically awarded based on various aspects of connections, add a layer of personalization to the user experience. A specific charm, the “Friend’s Birthstone Charm,” highlights the connection between these digital badges of friendship and the enduring tradition of birthstones.
Understanding Snapchat Charms and the Birthstone Feature
Viewing Snapchat Charms is a straightforward process. Users access “Friendship Profiles” by tapping on a friend’s chat, then opening the “Friendship Profile” via the Bitmoji or profile picture at the top left of the screen. Scrolling down reveals the Charms section, where each icon represents a unique aspect of the friendship. Tapping on a charm provides further information about its meaning. Charms are dynamic, updating and changing based on ongoing interactions. While users cannot directly customize or manage charms, increased engagement with friends influences their appearance.
The “Friend’s Birthstone Charm” is one of these dynamic mementos. Its appearance is tied to the user’s birthday information. To fully utilize this feature and see associated birthstone charms, users must ensure their Snapchat application is updated and their birth information is correctly entered. To find and set up this information, users should first make sure their phone has the latest version of Snapchat. The process begins by opening the app and clicking on the Bitmoji head in the upper left corner, which leads to the user’s Snapchat profile. From there, users should click on the purple highlighted zodiac sign next to their Snap Score. If this icon is not present, it likely means the user has not added their birthday to Snapchat. To rectify this, users can go to settings in their profile on the top right and add their birthday.
Once the zodiac sign is accessible, the user will be prompted to create an astrological profile. They must click the continue button at the bottom and then add their birth information to complete the profile. This includes their birthday, time of birth, and place of birth. If a user makes a mistake entering the time of their birthday, they can go to settings, select "birthday," and then choose "my astrological birthday" to correct it. It is important to note that the birth time display on Snapchat might indicate a time one hour ahead of the input; users should ensure they input the correct time regardless of this display. After completing this profile, the user can view their astrological profile, which begins with their sun sign.
The Snapchat natal chart, which is a road map that explains who you are as a person based on the day you were born, makes it easy to read and understand astrology on a beginner level. This chart includes personality explanations and analyses of your sun, moon, and rising signs, as well as your astrological positions in Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. The platform’s feature also allows you to compare your natal charts with others and see if the two of you have any compatibility with your charts. You can go to a friend's profile and either view their natal chart or view your compatibility with them.
In the context of birthstones, this astrological profile creation is the foundational step. The system uses the birthdate to assign both a zodiac sign and, by extension, a corresponding birthstone charm. For friends who have set up their astrological profile, their zodiac sign will appear in purple. If they have only entered their birthday, their sign will show up in gray. If it’s purple, you can tap on it to view their astrological information, which may include the birthstone charm. This visual cue helps users quickly identify which friends have fully engaged with the platform's astrological and birthstone features.
The Historical Journey of Birthstones
While Snapchat provides a modern digital framework, the concept of birthstones is deeply historical. The tradition of associating gemstones with specific months has a rich history, dating back to ancient civilizations, and continues to resonate with people today. The origins can be traced to the Breastplate of Aaron, a religious garment described in the Old Testament of the Bible, which featured twelve gemstones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Later, these stones were linked to the twelve signs of the zodiac and eventually to the months of the year.
Over centuries, the list of birthstones evolved. Different cultures and regions developed their own associations, leading to variations in which gemstone was assigned to which month. The modern standardized list, which most Westerners are familiar with, was largely solidified in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers (now known as Jewelers of America). This list was created to bring consistency to the jewelry trade, though it has been updated occasionally to include new stones like tanzanite.
Snapchat’s innovative use of this tradition provides a fun and engaging way for users to celebrate their friendships and explore the symbolism of birthstones. The platform’s features, combined with the inherent beauty and lore of gemstones, create a unique and personalized experience for its users. By presenting the birthstone as a charm—a digital token of friendship—Snapchat taps into the stone's historical role as a talisman of protection and identity. In ancient times, birthstones were believed to possess healing powers and to bring good fortune to the wearer. The digital charm, while not possessing physical properties, carries forward the symbolic weight of these beliefs, serving as a modern-day amulet of connection.
The Symbolism and Modern Resonance of Birthstones
Each birthstone carries its own unique symbolism and lore, often derived from its color, historical significance, and metaphysical properties. For instance, garnet, the birthstone for January, is traditionally associated with protection during travel and is believed to foster a sense of calm and stability. February’s amethyst is linked to clarity of mind and spiritual awareness. March’s aquamarine is known as the "stone of courage," evoking the serenity of the sea. April’s diamond, the hardest known natural material, symbolizes eternal love and invincibility.
May’s emerald represents rebirth and fertility, while June’s pearl, formed within the soft tissue of a living mollusk, symbolizes purity and wisdom. Ruby, July’s birthstone, is a stone of passion and vitality. Peridot for August is associated with light and the sun, believed to ward off nightmares and bring power. September’s sapphire is linked to wisdom and divine favor. October’s opal, with its unique play-of-color, symbolizes hope and creativity. November’s topaz and citrine represent warmth, generosity, and prosperity. Finally, December’s blue zircon, turquoise, and tanzanite are associated with tranquility and good fortune.
Snapchat’s "Friend’s Birthstone Charm" encourages users to discover these meanings. The ability to identify a friend’s birthstone through the charm encourages users to learn more about the gemstone and its associated meanings. This fosters a deeper appreciation for the history and lore surrounding these precious stones. In a digital age where interactions can feel transient, the charm provides a tangible (albeit digital) link to a meaningful tradition. It transforms a simple birthday notification into an opportunity for conversation and shared discovery about the gemstone’s history, its geological origins, or its place in jewelry design.
Digital Platforms and the Evolution of Tradition
The integration of birthstones into social media platforms like Snapchat is a clear indicator of how ancient traditions are adapted to contemporary life. Social media thrives on personalization, identity, and connection—all elements that birthstones have embodied for centuries. By creating a charm system that includes birthstones, Snapchat has effectively gamified the tradition, making it interactive and shareable.
This digital representation also highlights the enduring appeal of birthstones in the 21st century. Despite the rapid pace of technological change, people still seek connection to history, nature, and symbolic meaning. A birthstone charm on a phone screen is a far cry from a hand-faceted gem in a gold setting, yet both serve a similar purpose: to affirm identity and strengthen bonds. The digital charm acts as a conversation starter, potentially leading users to explore the physical world of gemstones, from visiting a local jeweler to reading about the geological formation of their birthstone.
Managing and restoring these digital charms is also part of the user experience. Snapchat allows users to manage their displayed charms. If a user wishes to hide a charm, they can tap on it, select the three dots icon, and choose the “Hide” option. Conversely, hidden charms can be restored by repeating the process and selecting “Restore.” This level of control allows users to personalize their Snapchat experience and curate the charms that are most meaningful to them, mirroring how one might choose to wear or display a physical birthstone piece of jewelry.
Conclusion
Snapchat’s “Friend’s Birthstone Charm” represents a modern intersection of social media and ancient tradition. While the platform’s primary function is communication and connection, the inclusion of this charm acknowledges the enduring cultural significance of birthstones. The tradition of associating gemstones with specific months has a rich history, dating back to ancient civilizations, and continues to resonate with people today. By digitizing this tradition, Snapchat has created a novel way for a new generation to engage with the symbolism, history, and beauty of these precious stones. The charm serves not only as a marker of friendship but also as a gateway to a deeper appreciation of the natural world and the human desire to find meaning in the objects we cherish. In doing so, Snapchat ensures that the ancient legacy of birthstones continues to evolve, finding relevance in the digital landscapes of the 21st century.