BIRTHSTONES BY MONTH
Traditionally, a birthstone is associated with each month of the year. For example, the birthstone for January is a garnet, while lucky babies born in April get a diamond as their birthstone.
The origin of birthstones is believed to date back to the breastplate of Aaron which contained twelve gemstones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The current list dates back to 1912 with only one addition since then – the tanzanite was added to December.
There are numerous legends and myths about birthstones healing powers and their therapeutic influence. According to these legends, wearing a gemstone during its assigned month heightened its healing powers. For the full effect, individuals needed to own all twelve and alternate them monthly.
THE HEALING POWER OF GEMSTONES
According to folklore and stories throughout history, many gemstones are thought to offer mystic healing to its wearer. So whether shopping for a gift of fine jewelry, or considering a gift for yourself along the way, consider the healing properties of these fine gemstones. Birthday gemstones may not bake your cookies and wrap your gifts for you, but they will make you feel better while doing so.
WHAT YOUR BIRTHSTONE MEANS AND SYMBOLIZES
1. January
Garnet, the birthstone of January, comes in several shades and colors. While the most popular color of a Garnet is reddish-brown, it is, however, found in other colors such as purple, pink, violet, green, yellow, orange, red, brown, black, and even colorless. Garnet derived its name from the Latin word granatum, meaning a grain or seed, which is why it is often associated with the deep red seeds of the pomegranate.
This birthstone was considered a great gift to symbolize friendship and trust. At other times, it could be symbolic of passionate devotion, friendship, vitality, balance, purification, love, strong, intense feelings. Garnet keeps away nightmares and is believed to keep the wearer protected through dark times. Garnets were used for beads and jewelry by the Egyptians. The Indians considered the Garnet a sacred stone. In ancient times, the Garnet was used as a talisman and was a prized jewel. A few of the places where Garnets are mined include Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, the Czech Republic, Spain, and more.
2. February
Amethyst is the birthstone color for the month of February. In Ancient Greeks this stone was used for protection against intoxication. Amethyst is considered to bring peace and tranquility and it also provides protection to its wearer. As for love, it’s said to strengthen the bond of love between two people.
Mined in places like Brazil, Uruguay, Africa, South Korea, Russia, United States, Amethyst is the birthstone for February. The amethyst has tones of deep purple, dark violet, and the pale lavender. This gem’s rich color is associated with royalty and nobility. It is a stone that was believed to protect the wearer from drunkenness and enabled them to maintain a balanced mindset. Heat strips Amethyst of its color and causes it to turn yellow, so this why it is important to keep amethyst jewelry away from the sun. The amethyst birthstone symbolizes sincerity, security, spirituality and contentment.
3. March
Aquamarine is the Birthstone for March. The mesmerizing color of birthstones for March ranges from pale to deep blue. And being reminiscent of the deep blue sea, Aquamarine is often considered to protect wearers at sea. It is where it derived the name Aquamarine. The common association of Aquamarine with water led people to believe that the healing power of the stone works best when immersed in water. Aquamarine can be used to heal illness of the liver, stomach and mouth. It symbolizes youthfulness, hope, love, and also encourages making new friends and relationships.
4. April
Diamonds are the birthstone for the month of April. Diamonds are commonly associated with love which make it the perfect gift for a loved one. This is the birthstone stone for the month of April and is the most popular of all gemstones. The name itself is derived from the Greek word, adamus, which means invincible. The gemstone represents strength and can therefore be cut through only by another diamond. Diamond draws its strength from the fact that it is the hardest natural substance ever known to man. The place for this in birthstone jewelries is durability. This toughness in the properties of the diamond should however be taken into cognizance when storing them, as they can damage other jewelry. It should not be forgotten too soon the aesthetic beauty of this stone. When worn, for instance, as a ring, it dazzles pure and sparkles beautifully. That’s why it’s most often picked for engagement and wedding rings. Generally, Diamonds are known to be colorless. The most seen are the white diamonds. But then again the color of a diamond will depend on the type of impurities the stone contains. Diamond on many occasions come in shades of colors ranging from yellow to orange to pink to blue etc.
5. May
Emerald, the birthstone of May, carries the rich green color of Spring and radiates a beautiful vivid tone. Symbolizing wisdom, faith, success in love, domestic bliss and known for its brilliant rich green color of the emerald, this birthstone doubles for its healing abilities, futuristic tendencies, and is also characterized with fertility and spiritual rebirth or renewal. Similarly, the moguls of India revered Emeralds so much that they inscribed the gems with sacred text to be used to ward off evil.
The precious gemstone, apart from its rich hue of green, are well available in the colors of blue or yellow undertones, and may completely lose its color in the presence of intense heat. Considered the rarest gemstones, Emeralds are typically mined in places like Colombia, Brazil, Afghanistan and Zambia.
6. June
Pearl, Alexandrite, and Moon stones are the three
birthstones for the month of June. Sometimes Pearl and Moon stones are thought to be the same. And of the three gemstones, Pearl is the most popular while Alexandarite is the rarest. Pearl symbolizes success, happiness, and love. And unlike other gemstones, Pearls are not mined. The most highly valued pearls are created inside of saltwater oysters and freshwater clams where the shells are lined within the nacre. Pearls from other mollusks are however considered to lack the desired luster and hence considered to be of lower value. Pearls are measured in grains and are more sensitive to elements such as humidity, acid, and dryness than other gemstones. Cultured pearls are essentially the same as those found in nature, the only difference being that a foreign particle is intentionally inserted into the mollusk with the express purpose of creating a gemstone.
7. July
Rubies, the birthstone of July, are considered the king
of gems and represent love, health and wisdom. It is believed wearing a fine red ruby attracts good fortune while warding off evil. Ruby could also symbolize love and passion. The Ruby is the most valuable gemstone and its value increases based on its color and quality.
To show how highly sought-after the Ruby is, ancient Chinese warriors who were known to wear Rubies on their armor. In fact, some Arab countries use the Ruby in the manufacturing of bullets. The believe is that a Ruby bullet will cause the enemy to bleed more.
The word Ruby is derived from the Latin word, ruber, meaning red. Most Rubies as seen today are being mined in Africa and Southeast Asia.
8. August
Peridot, the most popular birthstone for August, is one
of the rare cases where a gemstone is found to be occurring naturally in one color. The Peridiot is olive green and the intensity of the color often depends on the amount of iron in the crystal formation. The name Peridiot is of French Provenance, and is said to have been first mentioned in the will of a bishop when three rings was bequeathed to St. Albans Abbey, one being Peridiot. The Peridiot is very often confused with the Emerald, and is sometimes called “the evening emerald.” It is said to symbolize strength, and if set in gold, will protect the wearer from evil dreams.
While Peridiot is believed to instill power and influence in the wearer; Spinel, another birthstone for August, is available in brilliant range of colors, and is believed to protect the owner from harm and soothe away sadness. Read Also: Best August Birthstone Rings
9. September
Though Sapphire, the birthstone for September, comes in a variety of colors like green, pink, white, and yellow; they are, however, mostly associated with blue hues (or better yet the blue hues of the Sapphire are the most sought-after).
A sapphire of another color, like pink, white or yellow, is what’s known as fancy sapphire. The sapphire is a precious stone alongside diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. So it could be said that it is the reason it is often being used as engagement rings. Sapphire is most desired in its pure, rich blue color. The gemstone apart from its purity which signifies heavenly grace, also embodies other enviable characters such as loyalty, trust, and faithfulness.
10. October
Opal, the birthstone for October, represents hope and
innocence and is believed to bring happiness and healing to all. Opal, a derivation of the Latin word opalus, which means a change in color, can sometimes be black or even transparent with traces of red or yellow. It is this property of the Opal that allows it to shimmer and exude such radiance in different light and angles.
Mostly found occurring in the U.S., Mexico, and Australia, Opals are a gem formed by non-crystalline silica gel that seeped into crevices of ancient rock. Through time and nature’s heating and molding processes, the gel hardened into Opals.
11. November
November birthdays are associated with two gems; Citrine and Topaz.
Of the different varieties of colors of the Topaz, the prized Imperial Topaz, which has an orange appearance with pink undertones, is named after the island of Topazos. It’s often believed to symbolize consistency, faithfulness and friendship. Topaz is one of the two gems that are associated with the November birth month. It is often linked with strength and facilitates healing of breathing disorders, asthma and tuberculosis.
Citrine is an alternate birthstone for November. The word Citrine means lemon and is often thought to facilitate digestion and the removal of toxins.
12. December
Zircon, Tanzanite and Turquoise are the three gemstones
for those born in December. Zircon can be found in a variety of colors, but blue is the most popular. It is much less expensive when compared to diamonds. While diamonds commemorate love, this birthstone is believed to spark love and romance.
An alternate birthstone for December is the Turquoise. Those who wear this gem stone are said to experience happiness and good fortune.
Tanzanite has remained relevant owing to how it is believed to create a connection to the spiritual realm. In addition, Tanzanite is thought to keep the dignity and integrity of the wearer intact while bringing peace of mind.
