Birthstones
Birthstones are gemstones that are associated with each month of the year. You get a birthstone according to the month of year in which are born. For example, garnet is the birthstone for people born in January, while the baby who is born in April will luckily get a diamond as their birthstone.
There are many myths, lore and tales about birthstone healing powers and their influence in the life or wearer. According to these legends, wearing a gemstone that matches your personality and date of birth brings positive changes to your life. There are twelve principal birthstones for twelve month which are assigned to people born in respective months. Gemstones are also known for their beauty with their wild and varied history!
History of Birthstones
The popular belief suggests that the tradition of birthstone was set in breastplate of Aaron which contained twelve gemstones for the twelve tribes of Israel. In “Book of Exodus” it is described as:
..and thou shall set in it, settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle; this shall be the first row. And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
In the above passage the Sardius, is what we call “carnelian” or “sard” Carbuncle is thought to be probably a ruby or garnet. The opinion varies about ligure, some refers it as a zircon, some calls it quartz crystal.
I believe that human fascination with gemstones are far older and humans started to know the mystical properties of these gemstones earlier than the the twelve signs of the zodiac and the twelve months of the year. The list of birthstones
Birthstones by Month
The gemstones featured below are arranged by month. Click on the month you were born to learn the history of your birthstone.
- January Birthstone
- February Birthstone
- March Birthstone
- April Birthstone
- May Birthstone
- June Birthstone
- July Birthstone
- August Birthstone
- September Birthstone
- October Birthstone
- November Birthstone
- December Birthstone
January Birthstone
“Garnet” is the January Birthstone means it is the most appropriate gemstone for babies born in January. Garnet is one of beautiful gemstone and its color range from (called pyrope) to a beautiful green (called tsavorites) symbolizes peace, prosperity and good health.
Garnet is known for its ability to heal and purify. It can purify the energies in your body by removing the toxins and restoring your body to pure state. It also cleanse you mind, and spirit assuring 100% of efficiency of you all the time. The January Birthstone promotes self-empowerment and higher thinking. It can harness your creativity which can help you in all your pursuits of life. Garnet has very positive effects on strong and lasting relationships, and it can help you fill your life with love and happiness.
Garnet also helps you gain emotional stability if you’re going through tumultuous times.
February Birthstone
The Amethyst is the stone that we use today to signify our belonging to the month of January. Amethyst is a beautiful purple quartz which can be easily distinguished from other gemstones. It is can be found in every corner of the earth and it is popular because it is widely available in difference shapes and sizes which makes it more affordable.
Amethyst purple color make its unique and it can be set in both yellow and white metals. It also enhances almost every color in your wardrobe. February birthstone, amethyst is often associated with qualities of peace, courage and stability.
March Birthstone
For individuals with March birthdays, there are two birthstones, aquamarine and bloodstone. Though, these two are different from one another in appearance, but both of them share a similar symbolism of preserving or enhancing the health of the wearer.
Aquamarine is know for its greenish blue to blue-green color which is more intense in larger stones. Aquamarine gemstone is mined mainly in Brazil, but also is found in Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Pakistan, and Mozambique. March birthstone, aquamarine is considered to be very helpful for mental health and is used widely as a symbol in Tarot. It is also known as great aligner of the spiritual and the physical, for those who feel out of harmony or alignment with their inner self. March birthstone Aquamarine has is perfect complement to any skin tone or setting.
Bloodstone, which is another birthstone for month of March is crpto-crystalline variety of Quartz. It is of dark green color and it has red blood like spots on it which is reason for its name. Another name for bloodstone is heliotrope and it is found in many places of the world. Bloodstone is hold healing powers. In history it was used as to cure tumors and stop all types of hemorrhage. Ancient alchemists also used it to treat different blood disorders, specially to draw out the snake venom from the blood.
April Birthstone
Diamond is birthstone for the fortunate who born in April and all modern birthstone lists recognizes it has birthstone for April. It is the most prized birthstone and it comes is many beautiful cuts and shapes. It is the most precious and beautiful gemstone from nature and humans have adored for thousands of history.
May Birthstone
Emerald is the gemstone that symbolize as birthstone for month of May. Emerald is also birthstone for Gemini is also It is one of expensive gemstones because of its its brilliant and beautiful green color. The profound varieties of emeralds are found in Colombia, Pakistan, Brazil, Afghanistan and Zambia. Oil treatment is most common of treatment in emeralds.
Emerald birthstone is called the “Stone of Successful Love,” Emerald is know for bringing freshness and vitality to the spirit. May birthstone emerald is associated with qualities like unity compassion and unconditional love. The ideal metal to embed this stone is gold and it should be fixed in ring such a manner so it touches the skin of its user to transmit its substantial energies in the life of a human being.
June Birthstone
Born in June? You’re lucky because you have choice to chose gemstones between pearl, alexandrite and moonstone. June’s birthstones includes a range of color from creamy-colored opalescent pearl and moonstone to the rare color-changing alexandrite—which is one of the most valuable gemstone on the Earth.
Pearl
“No good poem, however confessional it may be, is just a self-expression. Who on earth would claim that the pearl expresses the oyster?” – C. Day Lewis
Pearl is one of few gemstones that have organic origin. The pearl is formed inside the shell of oyster when some parasite intrudes into softer part of its body. Common pearl has milky color and beautiful pearly luster and in ancient Mythology the pearl has been associated to the moon due to its soft glowing appearance. Through out the history pearl is know to symbolize various traits such purity, wisdom, charity and loyalty which are found in the people born in June. Now a days pearls are ground up to be used in cosmetics and serums to promote youthful looking skin.
Pearl is best birthstone to be used by women born in the month June. It can be used in which not only celebrates a woman’s birthday, but gives a woman a lifetime treasure, steeped in historical lore and tradition.
Alexandrite
Alexandrite is another June birthstone and it belongs to chrysoberyl family. The Alexendrite is know for its chameleon-like qualities which means its color varies with the nature of light. It becomes green like emerald in daylight and fluorescent light and changes to brownish or purplish red (like Ruby) in the incandescent light from a bulb or candle flame.
Emerald by day, Ruby by night.
This June birthstone is not much common especially the larger sizes of Alexandrite are scarce so it is a relatively expensive choice as birthstone for the month of June. It has similar mystical properties as other June birthstones.
July Birthstone
The most recognized June Birthstone stone is Ruby and the other birthstones include Sapphire, Onyx, Carnelian, Sardonyx, and Turquoise. Ruby is one of most esteemed and sought for gemstone in the world. And the modern chart of birthstones designates this gemstone as July Birthstone. Chemically Ruby is mineral from corundum family and good quality rubies of larger size are very rare so it is expensive to acquire them. With the increase in size, price of ruby increases almost exponentially. Myanmar (Burma) is know for the most delicate and highly valued rubies with color that resembles pigeon’s blood.
The July Birthstone Ruby is known for its ability to increase stamina and mental strength and boost courage. Ruby is believed to eliminate fatigue and depression. Ruby can rejuvenate the passion inside and increase the sexual stamina. Ruby also stimulate, your motivation and creativity and and helps a lot in chasing your . It is also thought that it helps the blood circulation and blood vessels.
August Birthstone
Peridot is the primary August Birthstone. Peridot has a fascinating and mythological history. According to ancient records the peridot has been mined as early as 1500 B.C. The name of this August birthstone is derived from Greek word “peridona”, which means “giving plenty.” It was knows for nobility in Roman Empire and it was used in their rings, pendants and other jewelry. The peridot has a unique vibrant, light green color comes from the iron found in olivine. Peridot, is also called as the “evening emerald,” and its a quite durable gemstone to wear.
August birthstone Peridot symbolizes good fortune. Peridot is originate from olivine, which comes from deep interior of Earth or from pallasite meteorites. More than 80% of World Peridot supply comes from Arizona’s San Carlos Reservation. Other profound locations where quality peridot is sourced are Pakistan, China Myanmar and Brazil.
September Birthstone
The September birthstone, the sapphire, belongs to corundum family of minerals. Ruby is another famous gemstone variety of corundum. Commonly ranging in color from light to dark blue, they are found chiefly in placer deposits because of its hight Specific Gravity (around 4). Generally the sapphire is know for its blue color but it is also found in number of other colors such as yellow sapphire, pink sapphire, black sapphire, etc. Sapphire Harness is 9 on Moh’s scale so it is one of hardest and durable gemstones you can find.
The September Birthstone is thought to guard against evil and poisoning. Sapphire birthstone symbolizes purity and wisdom that’s why it is favorite stone of priests and kings throughout the history. Sapphires are thought to reduce stress and ease pain. Best Quality sapphire is mined from Sri lanka known as Ceylon Sapphire and other famous qualities of sapphire comes from Pakistan, Kashmir, Australia, Thailand, China.
October Birthstone
There are two birthstones of October; Opal & Tourmaline. Both birthstones are some of the most beautiful and untraditional of all gemstones.
Opal
Opal is of two birthstones for the month of October. The name of opal stone has originated from the Greek word “opallios”, meaning “color change”. It is a noncrystalline or hydrated amorphous form of silica. Australia is homeland of world opals as 95% of the world’s precious Opal comes from Australia.
Opal October BirthstoneOpal stone meaning helps you to enhance your self worth, confidence and self-esteem, and amplify your inner potential. This October Birthstone is believed to bring lightness and spontaneity. Opal is known for stimulating originality and innovative thinking and creativity. The gemstone is also meant to represent justice and harmony, and is a protective stone in risky conditions.
Tourmaline
Tourmaline is also a colorful stone and a good choice as October Birthstone. Tourmaline is available in variety of colors such as pink, green, blue, red, brown, etc. Pink is most desired form of tourmaline which is alternative to ruby in appearance.
Tourmaline benefits are known to human since the ancient time. Black Tourmaline also know as Schorl is a revered as a premier talisman of protection, and guard its wearer against negative energies, entities, or destructive forces.
November Birthstone
There are two beautiful November Birthstones : topaz and citrine.
Topaz
Topaz is a durable gemstone which comes in a rainbow of colors. The variety of topaz hues includes colorless, orange, pink, violet, light blue, yellow, brown and, sometimes, red. Most of the times the Blue Topaz is made by treating colorless and brown topaz with irradiation and heating. The name is taken from Greek word topazos. This November birthstone is know to have many benefits since ancient times. The ancient Greeks used Topaz to get the strength. From the 1300s to the 1600s, Europeans believed that could thwart magic spells and dispel anger. Indians use topaz for centuries, to acquire good heart health, assure long life, beauty and intelligence.
Citrine
Citrine is one of member of Quartz family gemstones which is prized for its charming yellow and orange hues. It’s is most probably taken from french word for “lemon” (citron).This November birthstone is popular gemstone since ancient times and it is being used in jewelry for thousands of years. Citrine has been reported in Scottish jewelry from the Victorian era and also in Roman jewelry.
This affordable November Birthstone is known to have calming energies and being good fortune and warmth to its wearer. Today, most of the citrine in the market is made by heat treatment of amethyst and its readily available in broad range of quality and sizes.
December Birthstone
Those with December birthdays have three beautiful birthstones to choose from: Zircon, Tanzanite and Turquoise. Each of these gemstones have a unique blue tone making it a perfect birthstone for winters.
Zircon
Bright sky blue gemstone comes in mind when you hear “Zircon“. Zircon is available in other color choices such as green, dark red, yellow, brown, and orange, but vivid blue and bright Caribbean Sea colors remain most popular. This December birthstone is believed to aid in resting, bring prosperity and promote honor and wisdom to its wearer.
Turquoise
Turquoise is a December Birthstone and its popularity has spanned the Earth for centuries. This stone is adored in many cultures of the world from ancient Greeks to the Pharaohs of Egypt. This stone is known for its beautiful robin’s egg blue color and its attributed with healing powers such as raising the wearer’s status, wealth and bringing good luck.
Tanzanite
This third December birthstone is a very unique gemstone unlike any other because it is found only in one place on Earth: the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Tanzanite has a very exotic velvety blue color with a rich overtone of purple. It is one of most popular gemstones today and it comes in variety of shapes, sizes.
Tanzanite is known for calming and soothing properties. Small piece of Tanzanite can help you alot overcoming communication difficulties. It is known to be a good stone for those who are planning to change career. Worn as jewelry, it brings the positive self-awakening qualities to others who see its beauty.
I had no idea how much Opal originated from Australia! I love that you included the symbolism of each stone as well!