Modern Birthstones List by Month
The history of birthstones is thought to go back to the Breastplate of Aaron during biblical days which was adorned with certain gems associated with the twelve tribes of Israel. This later translated to the twelve zodiac signs and the twelve months of the year. Characteristics attached to the astrological signs were thought to magically pass onto the wearer of a particular stone in the form of a talisman.
Today, most folks don’t put too much stock into the talisman approach for gems, but we still revere them their incredible beauty and monetary value.
There are many different lists of birthstone gems depending on the culture, but for general purposes this article lists the modern birthstones list typically found in the United States.
January – The Garnet is a lovely pomegranate-red colored stone. In fact the word ‘garnet’ comes from the Latin word for ‘seed’…like the pomegranate seed. The garnet’s talisman properties are loyalty and kindness, and are currently mined all over the world.
February - The rich purple colored Amethyst symbolizes peace and sobriety. It was once thought to be a stone that helped avoid drunkenness and is why wine goblets contained amethysts in medieval times. Bishop’s rings have amethysts to promote piety and Tibetan monks have amethyst rosaries for a more peaceful meditation.
March – Aquamarine gems are a beautiful ice-pale blue with the tiniest hint of green. It is the gem of the mermaids to help keep sailors safe at while at sea. It is a soothing color and is thought to bring peace between couples and encourage positive thinking.
April – The Diamond is the most popular gem and one of the most valuable. The diamond is highly durable while having remarkable brilliance that enraptures all who look at it. Because they take millions of years to form, they have come to symbolize permanence – thus a good stone for marriage.
May – Next to the diamond, the Emerald is the next most striking gem with its verdant green color. It is the gem of the Goddess Venus and associated with fertility, love and rebirth. Cleopatra herself wore emeralds to enhance her already unmatched beauty.
June – Pearls are organic gems created inside oysters. They are a result of layers of a secreted substance called nacre that surround foreign objects within the shell. Pearls are symbolic of celestial beings such as the moon and were once thought to be the tears of the Gods with powers of protection.
July –The Ruby is a flashy deep red stone with talisman properties of courage and fiery emotion, quickening the pulse with one glance. It is the symbol of undying love and is a popular stone in men’s rings.
August – The Peridot is a pretty lime-green gem formed under the intense heat of volcanic activity. It has also been discovered in meteorites and thus is known as the extraterrestrial gem. It symbolizes Peale’s tears in Hawaii where some of the beaches contain tiny grains of peridot, but is mostly mined by Native Americans in Arizona.
September – Sapphire comes from the Greek word for blue and has long been associated with truth – so much so that we still say that an honest person is ‘true blue’. Even though most people think of a sapphire as being a gorgeous deep blue, it also comes in other colors like pink and yellow.
October – Tourmaline, which means ‘mixed stone’ comes in many different colors and is symbolic of intuition and creativity. It possesses a polarized electrical charge when compressed and is used in skin moisturizers to release toxins. Tourmaline is an attractive, but hardy stone and is fine for everyday wear.
November – Citrine is a sparkling sunny-yellow colored gem that complements just about any color in a wardrobe. Because it is often confused with gold Topaz, it has the same talisman properties of protection against enemies and that of beauty and splendor. It has also been used to promote mental clarity.
December – The brilliant Blue Topaz is a lovely clear ice-blue color reminiscent of the winter months. The topaz was used during the middle ages as an overall cure for mental and physical disorders. It is a stunning gem for any occasion.
Related posts:
- May Gem of the Month – Emerald Jewelry
- The Pearl Birthstone Month is June
- Dazzling Diamond Heart Necklace in April
- The Birthstone of October is the Opal
- Center Yourself with Blue Topaz Jewelry
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