Birthstones

Birthstones or natal stones has arrived in our times as a marketing tactic like that of anniversary stones, but actually if traced back in time it originated from an astrological belief that each one of us is born under zodiac signs (constellation facing the earth during a certain month) and that each stone worn by the birthday celebrant would be in alignment with the zodiac and henceforth draw the energy from the stars (1). Here are the traditional (trad.) and secondary (2.d) birthstones (2):

JANUARY – Garnet (trad.), Rose quartz (2.d) 

GARNET

ROSE QUARTZ

FEBRUARY – Amethyst (trad.), Onyx (2.d)

AMETHYST

ONYX

MARCH – Aquamarine (trad.), Bloodstone (2.d)

AQUAMARINE

BLOODSTONE (others have more red color in it)

APRIL – Diamond (trad.), Crystal quartz / Rock crystal (2.d)

DIAMOND

ROCK CRYSTAL

MAY - Emerald (trad.), Chrysoprase (2.d)

EMERALD

CHRYSOPRASE

JUNE – Pearl (trad.), Moonstone (2.d)

PEARL

MOONSTONE

JULY – Ruby (trad.), Carnelian (2.d)

RUBY (Synthetic)

CARNELIAN (red orange)

AUGUST – Peridot (trad.), Sardonyx (2.d)

PERIDOT

SARDONYX

SEPTEMBER- Sapphire (trad.), Lapiz Lazuli (2.d)

SAPPHIRE

LAPIS LAZULI

OCTOBER – Opal (trad). , Pink tourmaline (2.d)

OPAL

PINK TOURMALINE

NOVEMBER – Topaz (trad.), Lemon quartz (2.d)

TOPAZ (different colors)

LEMON QUARTZ

DECEMBER – Turquoise (trad.), Blue topaz (2.d)

TURQUOISE

BLUE TOPAZ

Please visit our store at 2W 14th St. New York, New York and witness some of the birthstones featured in this article.

References:

(1) Grande, L. & Augustyn, A. (2009). Gems and Gemstones: Timeless Natural Beauty of the Mineral World. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press

(2) Tsigistras, H. (2008). Easy Birthstone Jewelry: 38 Exciting Projects.Wisconsin: Kalmbach Publishing Inc.