Guide to Birthstones by Month
Here at Gemondo we use the birthstones list created by the American Jewellers Association in 1912. Which was created to standardise the list of birthstones across countries.
GARNET - BIRTHSTONE OF JANUARY
Documented in history as far back as 300 BC this is the stone reputed to have delivered Noah and his ark to salvation, lighting the path for him to follow. In ancient times the GARNET was used by knights as talisman in battle. It was worn for protection reputedly by King Solomon, and later the Crusaders carried ornamented their swords and battledress with GARNETS to ensure a safe return to their lived ones. The GARNET is a particularly hard stone and some Asiatic tribes used them as bullets, believing that the redness of the stone would inflict a more deadly wound than the leaden bullet.
The GARNET is found in volcanic rock and alluvial deposits, often alongside diamonds. It is found, amongst other places, in Arizona in the USA, South Africa, Argentina and Brazil. This gem comes in several different shades of red but most usual is the PYROPE GARNET, 'pyrope' coming from the Greek work pyropos meaning fiery.
AMETHYST - BIRTHSTONE OF FEBRUARY
The crystalline quartz in shades of purple, lilac or mauve is called an AMETHYST. It is mined from alluvial deposits and often has a feint strip which is caused by liquid filled canals. This gem has traditionally been associated with the month of February. This lovely stone was said to be the favourite of St Valentine whose commemorative day falls on February 14th.
The AMETHYST has been thought of as the perfect stone for Royalty and Churchmen alike. Moses, in the first testament describes the AMETHYST as 'The symbol of the spirit of God' and because of this the church has adopted it as the stone worn by its Cardinals and Bishops. Catherine the Great, of Russia so desired this stone that she sent hundreds of men to search for it in the inhospitable Siberian wastes, and many of them gave their lives in its quest. Her desire for the stone was not only because of its great beauty but because of its reputation for having restorative properties. Catherine believed, as do many others, that the AMETHYST has special properties which protect against stomach upsets. The stone is said to sober and cleanse the body, to prevent drunkenness and even more desirable to Catherine, it was reputed to beautify the skin.
Certainly wearing an AMETHYST will enhance the creamy texture of the skin, giving a glow to the surrounding area and reflect the sparkle in the eyes.
AQUAMARINE - BIRTHSTONE OF MARCH
The clear blue AQUAMARINE is the birth stone for MARCH. Traditionally the AQUAMARINE has been associated with water, and the sea. Its name is derived from the Roman 'Aqua' meaning water and 'Mare', meaning sea. It is usually coloured light green to pale blue, but is heat treated to achieve its preferred clear, very light blue appearance. Originally it was thought to have fallen from the jewellery boxes of the Sirens and then washed ashore, where it would lie on the beach awaiting discovery.
In ancient times AQUAMARINE stones were carried by sailors who believed they would mesmerise all who looked into it, and when faced with tempestuous seas this gem would placate the wrath of Poseidon. These lovely gemstones often had the likeness of Neptune engraved on their surface, and would be worn around the neck to ward off danger.
This gemstone is considered one of the purest of stones, and is said to re-awaken love in a tired marriage. It symbolises safely and security, especially in long standing relationships. It is also used as a healing stone, and is said to be particularly strong in helping ailments associated with the heart, liver, stomach and mouth and throat area.
For most of us however, its clear beauty, its ability to catch the light and shine is enough to make it a favourite.
DIAMOND - BIRTHSTONE OF APRIL
This is the king of stones; the hardest of all of the gems, its strength is four times that of its nearest rival, the SAPPHIRE.
The purest DIAMONDS are colourless, and are found in a type of rock called Kimberlite which is found at the very core of a volcano. The hard stone is mined, stones are crushed between giant rollers and the diamonds are found amongst the gravel unharmed. Diamond mines are found in South Africa, and Russia, and also in the USA.
DIAMONDS are so beautiful and so desirable they have inspired many stories of romance and intrigue, power and greed. Early Hindu's finding diamonds left on the surface after heavy storms believed they came from the Gods in bolts of lightening. Since then there have been many famous DIAMONDS, which seem to take on a life and history of their own. Amongst the some of the most documented was the wonderful stone given by Richard Burton to his wife Elizabeth Taylor in 1969. Known as the Taylor-Burton diamond it was bought for $1,000,000 and originally in its uncut form weighed 240.80 carats. After being cut it was fashioned into the central piece of a necklace, and worn for the first time in public by Miss Taylor at the 40th birthday party of Princess Grace of Monaco.
Later, on her divorce, Elizabeth Taylor sold the stone for $5,000,000 which she used to build a hospital in Botswana.
Traditionally the diamond is given on an engagement, but it can also be used in industry, its unique hardness making it the ideal tool.
EMERALD - BIRTHSTONE OF MAY
This lovely gem gets its name originally from the Greek word Smaragdos, which means 'green stone' it comes from the mineral Beryl, and is normally found in Columbia and Brazil. This stone symbolises Spring, with its associations with growth and rejuvenation, in many cultures this stone is considered the stone of personal development, and wearing it is said to bring Wisdom, Growth and Patience.
EMERALDS are seldom perfect, they are characterised in their untreated form by fissures and cracks. It is usual to oil their surface to achieve the unblemished beauty we usually associate with this gorgeous gem.
Emeralds are mentioned in early Roman and Egyptian history. The beautiful and powerful Cleopatra, lover of both Caesar and Anthony, is said to have mined the very first EMERALDS which adorned her dress and mesmerised all who came in contact with her. Perhaps the real joy of the EMERALD lies in its glamour, its clear green beauty is said when worn to enhance love and contentment. It is well respected for its healing properties, gazing at it is said to soothe the eyes, and cure epilepsy in children.
MOONSTONE & PEARL - BIRTHSTONES OF JUNE
The MOONSTONE is the opalescent variety of the orthoclase, with a blue or white sheen, said to be rather like the shine of the moon. This is caused by the reflection of light from the internal structure which has been made up over thousands of years from alternating layers of albite and orthoclase feldspar.
Regarded as the 'lovers' stone the MOONSTONE evokes tender feelings and is said to safeguard true love. The very best examples come from Burma and Sri Lanka, however stones will be found in India and Mexico, and even the European Alps.
There are many mythical stories associated with the MOONSTONE, with its rather mysterious appearance, and elusive colouring. Traditionally Arabic women are said to secrete a moonstone within the fabric of their garments to ensure fertility, whilst others wear it sent in silver or gold as a ring to cure nervousness.
The PEARL, the second birthstone for June, is a truly organic stone. Created by the oyster, it is said that a man had to dive a thousand times to find just one oyster containing a single PEARL. No wonder Cleopatra is said to have bewitched Marc Anthony with a portion of ground salt water pearls. There have been many famous PEARS, of which probably the most notable is the IMPERIAL HONG KONG PEARL, which weighs an amazing 25.5 grams and is set in platinum and diamonds.
In modern times many of the pearls we wear are cultured, that is grown in fresh water mussels. Whilst these are not so rare, they very difficult to tell apart from the oyster pearl, and are just as lovely.
RUBY - BIRTHSTONE OF JULY
The RUBY is the gemstone for the month of July. This lush red stone with its velvety crimson hues has historically been considered the King of Gems. Revered by the Hindus and still worn today sometimes as the centre piece of their ceremonial wedding head dress, but also to decorate the pierced nose or to adorn the centre of the forehead.
Worn on the finger the RUBY resembles an eternal flame, never to be extinguished. When worn on the left hand, the Burmese believed that RUBIES generate mystical forces and are a powerful protector from harm. The RUBY is said to bring good fortune to the wearer and makes the ideal token of love.
Although revered for their fiery red tones, RUBIES do come in a variety of shades, from pinkish to purplish or brownish red, depending on the chromium and iron content of the stone. They are found worldwide and there have been a number of very famous rubies, one of which, The Delong Star Ruby weighing 100.32 carats, was stolen in 1964. The stone was eventually returned after a ransom of $25,000 was paid. The drop off point was a telephone kiosk in Florida. The Delong Star Ruby is now on show in the NaturalHistoryMuseum in New York City.
PERIDOT - BIRTHSTONE OF AUGUST
This lovely stone, vivid green with a hint of gold, traces its history back to the early 2nd millennium BC. The name PERIDOT comes from the Egyptian meaning, 'Gem of the Sun', it is said to bring happiness in marriage, power of eloquent speech and enduring freedom from emotional and physical insecurity. Little wonder that the Egyptians spent enormous amounts of man power in its quest on the shores of the Red Sea.
The mining of the PERIDOT was traditionally done at night, when its rays were said to catch the light of the moon and make it easier to find. During the day it was reputed to become invisible under the rays of the sun.
Romantically Hawaiian natives believe that PERIDOT is the goddess Pele's tears, and Cleopatra was reputed to have a collection of emeralds which were in fact PERIDOT, and all the finer for it.
This extraordinary gem has created quite a stir recently, when in the 1990's a huge amount of stones were found 4000 metres up on a mountain pass in Pakistan reawakening interest in collectors the world over.
SAPPHIRE - BIRTHSTONE OF SEPTEMBER
The lovely SAPPHIRE is the gemstone for the month of September. This gem comes in a multitude of colours, but most traditional is the blue coloured SAPPHIRE, linked traditionally to calmness and loyalty and symbolic of truth.
Legend has it that the first person to wear the SAPPHIRE was Prometheus, the rival of Zeus, who took the gemstone when he stole heaven for man. The ancient Persians believed that SAPPHIRES were a chip from the pedestal that supported the earth and its reflections is what gives the sky its colour.
This lovely stone is said to be the guardian of innocence, it symbolises truth and sincerity, and its magical healing properties included that of curing snake bites.
The SAPPHIRE is one of the toughest gemstones, second only to the diamond, and is mined in Australia, Nigeria, Thailand, Vietnam and China.
OPAL - BIRTHSTONE OF OCTOBER
The opal is a stone made of a natural hardened silica gel with a surface of tiny silica spheresthat diffuses light causing it to sparkle with iridescent flashes of colour, which makes it both magical and exceptional amongst the gems.
Opal ranges from clear through white, gray, red, yellow, green, shore, blue, magenta, brown, and black. Red and black are the most rare and expensive, whereas white and green are the most common
The mysterious nature of the lovely colours has ancient associations. Believed by the Romans to be the symbol of hope and purity it was worn in the expectation that it would protect the wearer from disease and spiritual breakdown. The opal is said to be a peaceful stone, bringing order to disorder, and protection from troubles. The Arabs believed that opals fell from heaven in flashes of lightening and the Aborigines, noting the fire in its hues, credited it with introducing the first fire into the world.
This lovely gem is found in the cavities in sedimentary rocks and is found in the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Czechoslovakia and primarily in Australia. Opals are Australia's national gemstone and it produces around 97% of the world's opals.
CITRINE & TOPAZ - BIRTHSTONE OF NOVEMBER
The CITRINE is the yellow or golden yellow variety of quartz. It gets its name from the word citrus, or lemon, and in its palest form it is very rare. The darker variety, which is found more frequently, is sometimes confused with the very similar TOPAZ, which can be coloured from light yellow to its usual and characteristic smoky brown colour. Much more rare, and very highly prized is the blue TOPAZ, but most of the modern blue topaz seen today have been heat treated to achieve the desired effect. The very best quality CITRINE is found in Brazil and Spain as is the TOPAZ, which is also mined in the USSR and Australia.
The TOPAZ has been documented throughout history as being very special. The Egyptians called the TOPAZ the 'gem of the sun' believing its colour to come from the golden glow of their sun god Ra. The Greeks and Romans also associated the golden stone with their Sun God Jupiter. They believed the gem increased their strength and could neutralize enchantments.
Perhaps the most fabulous TOPAZ is the one set in the centre of the Portuguese Crown, so fabulous and large is this stone that it was originally thought to be a diamond and only recently was its true identity discovered.
TANZANITE, TURQUOISE & ZIRCON - BIRTHSTONES OF DECEMBER
The TANZANITE crystals have a distinct colour ranging from purple, blue or even slate-grey depending on the angle they are viewed from. First found in Tanzania, from which they get their name, their colour can be enhanced by heat treatment, which achieves the depth which characterises these lovely stones.
The TURQUOISE has always been considered a sacred stone. The North American Indians and Tibetans both view the Turquoise as possessing magical powers of healing and wisdom. Traditionally Holy Men use the turquoise in their many rituals. They believe the TURQUOISE with its beauty and ethereal colours will aid mental and spiritual clarity and emotional expansion. It is said to enhance wisdom, trust and understanding and act as a talisman against injury. In many cultures horses have turquoise studded into the bridle to avert danger and accidents. North American Indians believe that where the turquoise exists happiness and joy will also exist.
ZIRCON: When pure the Zircon is almost colourless, resembling the diamond, but impurities will produce the loveliest stones in yellow, orange, blue, brown and green varieties. These gems are usually found as pebbles in alluvial deposits and Sri Lanka has been one of the greatest sources of these stones, having produced them for over 2000 years.
These stones are believed to provide the wearer with wisdom, wit, honour, riches and if they lose their lustre they are said to be issuing a warning of impending danger.
Why not check out the zodiac list for more gift inspiration? Or see our Zodiac Guide for more information.
Need inspiration for a wedding anniversary gift? See our helpful wedding aniversary guide.