Brass Mezuzah with Hamsah and Hoshen stones.

“You shall make the breastplate of judgment. Artistically woven according to the workmanship of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, you shall make it.  It shall be doubled into a square: a span shall be its length, and a span shall be its width.  And you shall put settings of stones in it, four rows of stones: The first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald; this shall be the first row;  the second row shall be a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond;  the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst.” (Ex. 28:15-19)

The stones are mentioned in the Exodus; however, the words that were used to describe the stones are so ancient that even Biblical scholars and scientists couldn’t come to an agreement for determining the modern names for them. Today, the most common stone’s colors that are used for the breastplate pendants are:

1. Ruby – Reuben – Red
2. Jade – Shimon – Green
3. Agate – Levi – Red, White, and Black Striped
4. Carbuncle – Judah – Bluish-Green
5. Lapis-Lazuli – Issachar – Blue
6. Quartz Crystal – Zebulun – Clear
7. Turquoise – Dan – Blue
8. Amethyst – Naftali – Purple
9. Agate – Gad – Grey
10. Aquamarine – Asher – Blue-Green
11. Onyx – Joseph – Black
12. Opal – Benjamin – A Stone Possessing All the Colors