If you have been searching for a traditional birthstone chart, you may have come across confusion. What are the differences between the chart of birthstones and the modern one? Here are some helpful tips to help you choose the suitable stone for you. Also, keep in mind that the list of birthstones is not the same in all cultures, and some countries have different traditions while others do not have such a system.
The Gregorian calendar does not correspond to the ancient “Mystical” birthstone chart. However, jewelers recognized the need for a more modern birthstone chart in 1912. Translucent stones, which were easier to set into a jeweler, were included in the new birthstone chart. Many people still select a birthstone from the traditional birthstone chart to represent their personalities. If you prefer the ancient calendar, you can choose a birthstone from a modern birthstone chart.
- January is the month of Garnet.
- Amethyst is the birthstone for February.
- Aquamarine (March)
- April is the month of the diamond
- Emerald is the month of May.
- June: Alexandrite or Pearl
- Ruby is the month of July.
- August is the month of Peridot.
- Sapphire is the month of September.
- Tourmaline or Opal is the birthstone for October.
- Topaz or Citrine in November
- Tanzanite, Zircon, or Turquoise in December
January
Even though garnet is most commonly associated with the color red, these gemstones can be found in almost any color and are popular choices for various jewelry designs and applications. If you’re in the market for a birthstone for January, this is fantastic news for you. The garnet family is one of the most complicated in the gem world, and it contains over a hundred different varieties. It is not a single species but rather a collection of different species and varieties of the same species.
Symbolism
According to popular belief, garnets are a protective stone, shielding the person who wears them from injury. Because of this, they became trendy among warriors and royalty. Red-variety garnets are sometimes associated with the life-giving blood of the sun, but they are also associated with vitality, love, and light.
Colour
Depending on the type of garnet you choose, you can choose from various colors, including red, purplish, green, yellow, and orange. When looking for garnet crystals, it is not uncommon to come across large crystals with vibrant colors and clear transparency.
February
Amethyst is a type of quartz that comes in various colors ranging from pale lilac to deep reddish-purple. Given that it has a comparatively high hardness of 7, this material is highly scratch-resistant. The birthstone for February is a beautiful gem, and you can use it in any jewelry.
Symbolism
Because the color purple has long been associated with royalty, amethysts were a favorite of the ruling class when it came to jewelry. Amethysts have also come to be associated with spirituality, mental clarity, and healing throughout history.
Colour
To be more specific, a purple variety of quartz with various saturations ranging from pale to vibrant. Generally speaking, more vibrant stones are more highly sought-after and valuable than paler stones in monetary value.
Aquamarine is a member of the beryl family that ranges in color from blue to blue-green, and it was named after the color of seawater. The birthstone for March is readily available and reasonably priced, making it an excellent choice for jewelry.
Symbolism
Seawater is the source of the name “aquamarine,” which means “seawater stone,” Believed that the stones would protect seafarers. According to some, Aquamarines are often associated with marital happiness and superior intellect.
Colour
These stones are available in various colors, including blue and blue/green. There will never be any dark blues or greens in an aquamarine stone because of the light color saturation and tone of the gemstone.
Diamond is the most popular ring stone globally, according to April Diamond. Diamonds are highly prized for their timeless beauty and clarity, and diamond jewelry has become a status symbol in its own right.
Symbolism
The extreme hardness, overall durability, and undeniable beauty of diamonds have led to the association with strength and everlasting love. That they are frequently used in both engagement and wedding ring designs is unsurprising given their unique appearance.
Colour
Even though most diamonds are colorless, they can exhibit a full spectrum of exotic colors. There is a fancy colored diamond to suit every taste and occasion, ranging from rare reds to deep blues to warm yellows and everything in between.
Historically, the color green has been associated with emeralds since antiquity. A fine emerald is a sight to behold. This member of the beryl family, along with the traditional “Big Four” gems of diamond, ruby, and sapphire, deserves to be included among the traditional “Big Four” gems.
Symbolism
In the opinion of Legend, wearing emeralds will imbue the wearer with increased intelligence and allow them to think more clearly. Others use the stone to aid in the healing process. It has even been asserted that wearing emeralds gives the wearer the ability to predict the future.
Colour
The best emeralds have a consistent, deep green color, and some of the colors may have blue undertones. Emeralds contain a high proportion of inclusions that are visible to the naked eye. In general, the lower the number of inclusions in a stone, the higher the stone’s value.
June
Pearls are the only gemstones found in living creatures, including saltwater and freshwater mollusks. However, because pearls are now found only in tiny quantities in nature, most pearls available on the market today are cultured. Even though pearls require special care, they continue to be popular in jewelry, particularly as the traditional birthstone for June.
Symbolism
The most delicate pearls have smooth, unblemished surfaces and consistent coloring. As a result, there is a natural association between the word honesty and qualities such as purity and wisdom. The divine has been linked to pearls in some cultures, with some believing that pearls are tears shed from heaven, while others have placed pearls on the gravestones of their loved ones. Legend has it that pearls represent wisdom and power in ancient Chinese culture and are carried by dragons.
Colour
While most people still associate pearls with the color white, they are now available in various colors, including black, green, gold, silver, and a variety of pastels, depending on where they were harvested.
Ruby is one of the most famous traditional jewelry stones, and it is also one of the most durable. Its colors, always red, can reach incredibly high saturation levels. Fine-quality rubies are among the most expensive gemstones on the market, with record prices per carat exceeding $1,000,000.
Symbolism
Historically, rubies have been associated with physicality and strength. Warriors prized rubies because they were believed to be intimately connected with the human body. They were credited with enhancing the wearer’s strength and stamina while on the battlefield. Rubies were also thought to be able to soothe anger and assist the wearer in navigating emotionally charged social situations.
Colour
Rubies are deep red gemstones with a gleaming sheen to them. Corundum is a mineral that can be found in both rubies and sapphires. Rubies are corundum gemstones that are distinguished by their predominant red color. On the other hand, rubies with orange or pink undertones can be found.
For centuries, the peridot has been valued as a jewelry stone, and it is the modern birthstone for August. The color of peridot is always green, but the shade varies considerably depending on where it is found in nature.
Symbolism
In ancient times, peridots were believed to protect those who wore them at night. Historically, peridot was associated with the sun because of its vibrant appearance, contributing to ancient associations between the stone and the sun. People believed that keeping the stone close during the dark hours would keep evil spirits away at night.
Colour
Some peridots have a green hue similar to the color of emeralds, which can confuse them. However, unlike emeralds, peridot frequently exhibits a distinct yellowish overtone not found in other gemstones, and brownish tinges can be seen on some stones.
September
Few gemstones have captivated the world’s attention for as long as sapphire has. Its intense blue colors and exceptional durability distinguish it as a rare and valuable gemstone. Not all sapphires, on the other hand, are blue. The birthstone for September is available in a variety of colors.
Symbolism
Sapphires are regarded as a powerfully protective gemstones. They may protect the person who wears them from physical harm, malicious intent, and envy. Sapphires were also thought to possess medicinal properties at one time. Blue sapphires are considered a highly spiritual stone, and priests are known to wear them. Finally, sapphires are a few gemstones that can exhibit natural asterism in the form of a six-rayed star, making them a rare and valuable commodity.
Colour
Sapphires are corundum gemstones, just like rubies. They are available in every color of the rainbow, except red. (Red corundum is also known as ruby.) Sapphires will be marketed based on their color, such as yellow sapphire or purple sapphire, among other things. In contrast, the word “sapphire” as a singular noun refers specifically to the blue variety of the gemstone.
October
Opals are in a league of their own when it comes to beauty. Opal is a species with patterns that are so distinct that they have a descriptive vocabulary. Each opal is unlike any other gemstone in that it is unique. Opals are also the most delicate gemstones commonly worn, and as such, they require special handling and maintenance.
Symbolism
Opals are often associated with light and magic, which may be due to their iridescent appearance. As a result, some people believe that opals have healing properties, particularly for the eyes. Some people believed that opals could make the wearer invisible. While some people believe in harmful superstitions about opals, others believe that wearing them brings good luck.
Colour
Some opals can exhibit the phenomenon known as play-of-color, characterized by dazzling flashes of color that move as the stone is rotated and manipulated. Opals are the only gemstones that can exhibit this effect, but not all opals exhibit it in the same way.
Citrine is a variety of crystalline quartz that ranges from yellow to red-orange. In recent years, clever marketing and the rise of “earth tone” fashions have elevated this long-lasting and readily available gem to the status of a popular modern birthstone.
Symbolism
Citrine is a cousin of amethyst and is also a member of the quartz family. Citrine is primarily associated with the healing and happiness aspects of life. Citrines are believed to provide relief for various ailments, including stomach aches, insomnia, and general stress and anxiety.
Colour
Citrines are well-known for their warm orange and yellow hues, which may include a hint of brown in some cases. They are also available in a variety of sizes. A significant proportion of citrines available on the market originate as unimpressive amethysts or smokey quartzes when they are discovered in the ground. Following that, the stones are heated to bring out the yellow and orange colors even more.
Features
- Genuine Citrine
- Handmade Ring
- Custom Ring sizes from 4 to 13 US
- Best Quality
December
Tanzanite Blue Zircon is a gemstone that is found in Tanzania.
Most blue topazes are found in the earth and are colorless or pale blue, and the stones are then subjected to a two-step heat and radiation laboratory treatment to turn them a vibrant greenish-blue. Blue topazes are not only beautiful, but they are also reasonably priced.
Symbolism
Topaz has long been associated with wealth, and this has remained true throughout history. This is most likely due to topaz’s more common yellow color, which led some people to believe that topaz possessed a mystical ability to attract gold and other precious stones.
Colour
Blue topaz is referred to by a variety of trade names, including “London Blue,” “Swiss Blue,” and “Sky Blue,” among others. The color of London Blues is either a dark steel blue or a greyish blue. A highly saturated greenish-blue color characterizes swiss Blues, and blue skies are characterized by pale blue colors similar to aquamarines in both hue and tone.
What Factors Should I Consider When Selecting my Birthstone?
Explain to your customers that they have more options than just the birthstone that corresponds to their month of birth to assist them in selecting the “right” birthstone. They can choose birthstones based on their zodiacal sign, day of the week or season of the year in which they were born, or based on their religious affiliation.
What do Birthstones Represent and What do they Mean?
Apart from jewelry, birthstones or the colors associated with the stones can be found in various other gifts and keepsakes, making birthday shopping enjoyable and straightforward. Birthstones have long been a part of modern society, and it has been widely believed that wearing your birthstone is a symbol of wellness and good luck since ancient times.
Which Birthstone is Considered to be the Most Auspicious?
Because it can display all colors, opal has been regarded as the luckiest and most magical gem for much of history, including the ancient Greeks. A variety of colors are available in tourmalines, also considered a birthstone for October.
What Happens When you Wear the Stone that Represents your Birth Month?
Birthstones are said to have healing properties, according to Legend. Wearing them may aid in releasing blockages in the physical, mental, and spiritual stages of the healing process. Through contact with your body, it is believed that these supernatural gemstones can focus the healing energy of the planet on your body, resulting in you feeling more relaxed and in control.
Conclusion
The origins of birthstones can be traced back to the Bible. The book of Exodus describes a priest’s garment encrusted with gemstones, each representing one of Israel’s twelve tribes. Similarly, in the 18th century, Jews in Poland began trading in gems. The National Association of Jewelers eventually came up with the current list of birthstones. The concept of birthstones was only then formalized. So, how did the birthstone chart come to be? While the traditional birthstone chart has evolved, some gemstones have remained constant. For May, the traditional birthstone was emeralds, but a pearl or moonstone was only designated as the birthstone for June a century ago. June is also represented by Alexandrite and Pearl, both of which are rare gems, in addition to emeralds. A pearl is a unique natural occurrence. This is why the birthstone chart for this month is so well-known.