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The unique olive-green peridot of August is associated with beauty. This could easily apply to any of the birthstones, but peridot is particularly delicate and pretty in color. These stones are also special in that they glow and shine just as brightly in natural light as they do in artificial light.
Garnets are also associated with vitality and passion in all kinds of relationships. January babies forge strong connections with those around them and love abundantly, and they’re not afraid to show it.
The connection between certain stones and months of the year was first made by Christian scholars of the 5th century. They based them on the 12 stones found in the biblical Breastplate of Aaron, a sacred breastplate worn by the High Priest of the Israelites, according to the Book of Exodus.
The amethyst stone has an interesting backstory in Greek mythology. Dionysus, the god of wine and partying, felt insulted by mortals after his hospitality was refused, and he decided to punish the next human he came across. It happened to be a pious young woman named Amethystos, a word which means "not drunken." As he was about to strike her down, Dionysus took pity on her and turned her to stone instead of obliterating her.
At first, believers would wear a different stone every month, each imbued with its own power. This practice evolved over time and eventually it became standard to wear the stone associated with the month of your birth all year round. This is how the gems came to be known as birthstones.
For centuries, there was dissent about which stones were aligned with which months. This was somewhat resolved in 1912, when then mail order catalog company Sears published an 'official' chart. This became the most widely accepted list and has remained more or less the same since then, with just a few small adjustments.
This gemstone is believed to have calming qualities, so it makes the ideal gift for someone about to be married, particularly due to its association with happiness in love. Today it also symbolizes health, honesty, loyalty, hope, and youth.
While an amethyst won’t give those born in February some kind of supernatural resistance to alcohol, it does link them to qualities like mental clarity, spirituality, and healing.
Click on to find out which stone is associated with each month, and what significance your birthstone holds for you.
The beautiful aquamarine stone reflects the many blue tones of the seas and skies. They have been associated with these natural elements for generations and were often carried by sailors on their voyages. They were purported to have a range of benefits, from ensuring a good night’s sleep to creating harmony in marriage. Ultimately, aquamarine is most commonly associated with serenity.
Blue sapphires are also highly spiritual stones and have been worn by religious leaders for centuries. They represent faith, wisdom, trust, and loyalty, qualities we all look for in our spiritual and personal lives.
Rubies have been used to decorate valuable goblets and drink vessels for centuries, adding significance and power to toasts for good health. Red has also long been linked to strong emotions and passion. For this reason, rubies are also associated with love. Those born in July are thought to be full of energy, life, and love.
This made them particularly valuable in ancient Egypt, where historic records show they were mined. They were appreciated for their great beauty that lasted into the night by fires and candlelight. The peridot is believed to protect the wearer at night.
In Turkish culture, the gift of turquoise was believed to give the recipient the ability to make friends easily. Today, turquoise is still most commonly associated with friendship.
Sources: (Gemological Institute of America) (International Gem Society) (Uncommon Goods) (Cape Town Diamond Museum)
See also: A history of jewelry
This bright yellow stone rather appropriately represents joy. The golden shine seems to channel the Sun, enhancing the qualities of happiness and healing. Citrine is one of the rarest varieties of quartz found in nature and has only been discovered in a select few countries.
The opal is a unique stone that can take on many different colors. Its appearance also connects it with light and magic, but its main benefit is healing, particularly for the eyes. In the past, some even believed that opal could make the wearer invisible to others.
Opals are thought to be lucky because of the way they diffract light and play with all of the colors of the rainbow at once. They are especially lucky to someone born in October!
Citrine is believed to relieve issues of the mind and body, calming stress and curing stomach aches. Those born in November may have the quality of citrine; they are shining beacons of joy that light up the room.
The deep blue of the sapphire is associated with honesty, a quality that may be reflected in those born in September. The stone is thought to have the power to deflect bad intentions from others, as well as physical harm.
June’s pearl is the only birthstone that grows inside a living creature. They are found inside saltwater oysters or freshwater clams and are considered to be highly valuable. They are smooth in texture and color, symbolizing purity, honesty, and wisdom.
The diamond represents love, just one more reason that it’s the most popular stone for engagement rings. It’s associated with purity, open-heartedness, and unity, as are those born during the month of April.
Pearls have also been associated with the divine for centuries, as some cultures believed them to be tears that have fallen from heaven. In ancient Chinese mythology, pearls were carried by dragons and represented power and wisdom. Pearls are a status symbol associated with wealth these days, but for those born in June the pearl is a symbol of their wisdom and inner strength.
May belongs to the emerald. These deep green stones were mined in Egypt more than 2,000 years ago and were often worn by Cleopatra. Its vital, earthy color evokes fields and forests, reminding us of springtime, and, by extension, renewal. The emerald is the stone of hope.
This association also links emeralds to youth and rebirth. It has also been tied to wisdom and it was once believed that wearers would be gifted with heightened intelligence, or perhaps even the ability to predict the future.
The blood-red color of the ruby has fascinated humankind throughout history. It evokes vitality and is associated with strength and health.
Amethystos became a statue of white stone. Dionysus was moved by her innocence and paid tribute to her by pouring his cup of wine over the statue instead of drinking it. It became a deep purple color. The purple amethyst stone, named after Amethystos, became associated with this rare moment of sober thoughtfulness for the hedonistic Dionysus, and is now the gemstone of wisdom.
The garnet is a dark red stone that is associated with protection. The name comes from the Latin word for "seed-like," as they’re similar in color and appearance to pomegranate seeds. Their association with protection dates back to ancient times. Travelers would carry garnets with them on their journeys for protection against evil spirits and bad luck, and the Aztecs brought them into battle.
The final stone on the list is turquoise. Turquoise is unique in that it inspired the name of a color, rather than the other way around! It is most often associated with Turkey, as the Turks introduced this gemstone to Europe. In fact, "turquoise' is the word for "Turkish" in French.
Scholars theorized that each stone was aligned with a month of the year and a zodiac sign, and that they would receive a different benefit from each stone if they wore it during that period.
A birthstone is a gemstone that is associated with a particular month of the year. The gemstone associated with the month you were born might speak to certain qualities you have, in the same way that your zodiac sign does. Most of the birthstone gems are commonly found in jewelry, and those who value their significance recommend wearing your birthstone to enhance your well-being and good fortune.
Intrigued? Click on to find out about the origin of the birthstone and what yours says about you.
Your birthstone, and what it says about you
Find out which of these beautiful gemstones benefits you the most
LIFESTYLE Gems
A birthstone is a gemstone that is associated with a particular month of the year. The gemstone associated with the month you were born might speak to certain qualities you have, in the same way that your zodiac sign does. Most of the birthstone gems are commonly found in jewelry, and those who value their significance recommend wearing your birthstone to enhance your well-being and good fortune.
Intrigued? Click on to find out about the origin of the birthstone and what yours says about you.