The birthstone is associated with each month of the year. Each stone is traditionally associated with various properties that symbolize the month of birth.
Some stones are followed by legends and myths, while in some other races of people they have given special powers. Believe it or not, you probably will not disagree that studying these stones can be an educational and entertaining experience.
See which gemstone corresponds to the month you were born and find out what its unique properties are!
January
Those born in January are lucky because they have the beautiful and varied garnet as their birthstone. Garnet is usually red, but is also found in other colors, such as orange, yellow, purple and green. The name “garnet” comes from the medieval Latin granatus, which means “pomegranate“, and is due to the similarity of the red color.
Their use in jewelry is found in necklaces that adorned the pharaohs of ancient Egypt but were extremely popular during the Victorian era. Some believe that the real value of garnet as a birthstone is its power to bring good health, wealth and happiness to the user.
February
The birthstone of February is amethyst, this purple variety of quartz that has fascinated mankind for millennia. In shades from lilac to deep purple, amethyst can be cut into many shapes and sizes and can be made in a laboratory or mined. Its name comes from the Greek deprivation “a” and the verb “drunk”, as in antiquity it was believed that this gem protected its owner from intoxication. We usually find it in jewelry collections of royal families throughout Europe and Asia.
Amethyst is considered a symbol of personal empowerment and inner strength for the wearer. Also the impressive purple stone is the jewelry that is traditionally given for the sixth wedding anniversary.
March
March has 2 birthstones, the aquamarine and the bloodstone which are very different in appearance, but share a similar reputation for protecting the well-being of the wearer.
The aquamarine has the colors of the sea, from light blue to slightly green-blue. Aquamarines are often free of inclusions and are as pure as water, symbolizing the purity of spirit and soul. This birthstone is believed to bring happiness to the wedding but it is also considered the right stone for jewelry intended for the 19th wedding anniversary.
Bloodstone, also known as sunflower, is a variety of chalcedony that usually has a dark green hue that contains red marks of iron oxide, the “blood” that brings health and strength to the wearer. Several metaphysical properties have been attributed to this stone such as increasing strength and maintaining health and youth.
April
Those born in April are quite lucky because they have as their birthstone the diamond, this shiny gem, the symbol of purity and strength. The diamond is so powerful that its name comes from the Greek word “Those born in April are quite lucky because they have as their birthstone the diamond, this shiny gem, the symbol of purity and strength. The diamond is so powerful that its name comes from the Greek word “adamas”, which means “invincible” or “unbreakable”. There are many who claim that the April birthstone gives longevity, strength, beauty and happiness.”, which means “invincible” or “unbreakable”. There are many who claim that the April birthstone gives longevity, strength, beauty and happiness.
May
The emerald, the birthstone of May, has been loved for many millennia, causing rebirth and renewal. Legend has it that the emerald has the power to make the wearer smarter and faster, and once believed that by curing diseases but also by putting it under the tongue, one could see the future. Its striking green color is reminiscent of spring and mines around the world ensure that anyone who loves green or is born in May will continue to be enchanted by its view. Today, it is the gemstone for the 20th and 35th wedding anniversary.
June
Those of you who were born in June have a choice between three birthstones that you can call your own. The birthstones of June are the pearl, the alexandrite and the moonstone.
Pearls come from oceans, lakes and rivers around the world. It is a timeless stone, loved by women of all ages. The origin of pearls has long been a mystery. The ancients of the Middle East believed that pearls were tears falling from the sky and Christopher Columbus and his contemporaries believed that mollusks formed pearls from dewdrops. Pearls have long been associated with purity, humility and innocence and are therefore traditionally considered a wedding gift.
The moonstone is famous for its special radiance. The light seems to wave inside the stone, giving it a special glow. The best moonstones have a blue sheen on a colorless background and are often associated with love, passion and fertility and are considered to bring great luck.
Alexandrite presents an interesting visual phenomenon. Specifically, it changes its color, depending on the type of light that falls on it. If natural light falls on it, it has a different color from the color it has if artificial light falls on the stone. By candlelight the alexandrite is red, while under a fluorescent lamp it is blue-green. This phenomenon is also called the “Alexandrite phenomenon”.
July
The birthstone of July is the ruby. The name comes from the Latin word ruber, which means “red”. In ancient India, ruby was nicknamed the “king of gemstones” for its rarity, hardness (second only to diamond) and beauty. The ruby was a symbol of strength and youthful energy in Indian jewelry. Some even believed in the past that this gemstone could foretell misfortune or danger, and others claimed that it calmed anger. Europeans in the Middle Ages claimed that rubies gave health, wisdom, wealth and success to love.
August
Peridot and spinel are the two birthstones for August.
Peridot is a greenish-yellow variety of the mineral olivine and is formed under extreme conditions. Peridot is often confused with other gems such as topaz and emerald. The word “peridot” comes from the Arabic faridat, which means ornament. The peridot was used for centuries as a protective amulet, protecting the owner from evil spirits and nightmares.
The name spinelia comes from the Latin word spina, which means thorn and is related to the shape of its crystals. Comes in a variety of colors: bright red, vibrant pink, orange, purple, violet, blue and bluish green. The red spinel is believed to act to ward off anger and bring harmony to the wearer.
September
The birthstone of September is sapphire. Although the term sapphire usually refers to the blue variety of corundum, this stone exists in a range of colors. The word sapphire comes from the Greek word sapphire and blue sapphire is one of the most popular colored stones. Sapphires traditionally symbolize sincerity, truth, faith and kindness. For countless centuries, sapphires adorned members of the royal family and the races of the clergy. The elites of ancient Greece and Rome believed that blue sapphires protected their owners from evil and envy. Sapphire is also the gemstone given on the 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries.
October
Those born in October have to choose between 2 birthstones, opal and tourmaline.
The name of the opal is believed to come from India (the source of the first opals that came to the western world), where in Sanskrit it is called gum, a “precious stone.” The ancient Greeks believed that opals gave the gift of prophecy and protection from disease. Europeans have long had opal as a symbol of purity, hope and truth. Opal is also the stone donated to celebrate the 14th wedding anniversary.
Tourmaline is the newest birthstone of October. The dazzling range of tourmaline colors made mystics believe that this stone could inspire artistic expression. The different colors of tourmaline are considered to have their own properties. Pink tourmaline embodies love and is associated with compassion and kindness and green tourmaline promotes courage, strength and endurance. Tourmaline is given to celebrate the 8th wedding anniversary.
November
Topaz and citrine are the 2 birthstones of November. Both stones are associated with serenity while bringing luck and warmth to anyone who has them with them. Most topazes and citrine are affordable, as they are not as rare as other stones.
The variety of shades in topaz includes colorless, light blue, yellow, orange, pink, violet, brown and very rarely red. The ancient Greeks believed that topaz gave them strength and in the period 1300-1600, the Europeans believed that it could prevent magic spells and dispel anger. For centuries, many people in India believed that when topaz is worn over the heart it ensures longevity, beauty and intelligence. The blue topaz is the stone of the 4th wedding anniversary.
Citrine is a variety of quartz known for its yellow and orange hues and has been used in jewelry making for thousands of years. With a yellow tinge, it was often confused with topaz. Its name is believed to come from the French word for “lemon” (citron) and jewelry with this gemstone is given for the 13th wedding anniversary.
December
Those born in December have to choose between tanzanite and turquoise. Both December birthstones have their own unique blue version.
Turquoise is a semi-translucent to opaque stone in shades of blue-green. The pharaohs and other rulers of ancient Egypt wore them and Chinese craftsmen carved on them 3,000 years ago. Turquoise is believed to have many beneficial powers and is considered a national treasure in Tibet, where it is believed to provide health, good luck and protection from evil.
Tanzanite may be new to the world of colored stones, but it was one of the most fascinating finds of the 20th century. The blue stones that emerged from Tanzania were recognized as mineral zoisite in 1962. It was eventually named Tanzanite in honor of its country of origin. Tanzanite stone is often described as “velvety”, mainly due to its deep and saturated color, which ranges from pure blue to purple, with blue being considered more valuable.
Today, it is not only the birthstone of December, but it is also the jewel for the 24th wedding anniversary.