Birthstones
Posted on 8th Aug 2014
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.