Birthstones

Customers sometimes choose their jewellery based on Birthstones, and often there is conflicting information about which stone is associated with which month. I then wondered where it all started and so decided to research the subject and came up with the following information which has been collated from various associations including The Coloured Gemstone Association:

Most gem scholars agree that the tradition of birthstones arose from the Breastplate of Aaron: a ceremonial religious garment set with twelve gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of Israel and also corresponded with the twelve signs of the zodiac and the twelve months of the year.

Because ancient people did not always classify gemstones by mineral species like we do, there is some debate about which gemstones were set in the breastplate and why. Because of this, different cultures around the world have developed different birth stone lists. The modern day list that you know is only the most recent list: some older lists still exist. Some also argue that the proper way to assign gemstones is according to astrological sign and not month.

Either way, I believe all gemstones have mystical powers that capture the energy of it's owner/wearer, and it's much more fun to choose gemstones that speak to you from all possibilities, or just because you can!

January - Garnet (Dark Red)
February - Amethyst (Purple)
March - Aquamarine (light Aqua)
April - Diamond (Clear)
May -Emerald (Green)
June - Moonstone (Milky White with iridescent flecks)
July - Ruby (Red)
August - Peridot (Lime Green)
September - Sapphire (Royal Blue)
October - Opal or Tourmaline (Multicoloured)
November - Citrine or Topaz (Golden)
December - Turquoise, Blue Topaz or Tanzanite (blue)

It's also worth noting that most the Gemstones on the list don't just come in one colour. For instance Sapphire also comes in Yellow, Pink, Green, White as well as many shades of Blue which is why I added the colour next to the gemstone. Perhaps the forthcoming posts will be about gemstones themselves, which is a rather huge subject indeed.....