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Birthstones
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This page is my attempt to unveil some of the mystery surrounding this tradition and its roots in time.
These specific gems generally are believed to have unique, correlating healing properties for people born during a certain month or time of year, and so the lists vary according to what type of calendar each culture follows.
Many varying cultures had their own, different lists of which gems correlated with which months. So you may find some inconsistencies in many jeweler's lists, which leads us to the Modern day list of gems correlating to birthdates...
Modern Birthstones
What most people know today as their Birthstone is derived from a modern list created in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers, (Jewelers of America.) Some of the birthstones listed are given as alternatives to a more expensive gemstone or other gemstones considered to have similar qualities.January - Garnet
February - Amethyst
March - Aquamarine
April - Diamond
May - Emerald
June - Moonstone, or Pearl
July - Ruby
August - Peridot
September - Sapphire
October - Opal, or Tourmaline
November - Citrine, or Yellow Topaz
December - Turquoise, Tanzanite, or Blue Topaz
Zodiac Stones
Zodiac Stones are the gemstones that correlate with the Zodiac Signs.
This tradition stems from Babylonian astronomers, who cultivated the zodiac's twelve signs based on the sun's perceived 'path' through the constellations. The Zodiac is known as the first astrological coordinate system. The etymology of the word 'zodiac' is most likely derived from the Sanskrit word sodi meaning path.
Throughout centuries, astrologers designated gems to the zodiac signs by color.
Aquarius (January 21 - February 18) - Garnet
Pisces (February 19 - March 20) - Amethyst
Aries (March 21 -April 20) - Bloodstone
Taurus (April 21 - May 21) - Sapphire
Gemini (May 22 - June 21) - Agate
Cancer (June 22 - July 22) - Emerald
Leo (July 23 - August 23) - Onyx
Virgo (August 24 - September 22) - Carnelian
Libra (September 23 - October 23) - Peridot, or Aventurine
Scorpio (October 24 - November 22) - Beryl
Sagitarius (November 23 - December 21) - Topaz
Capricorn (December 22 - January 20) - Ruby
Tibetan Birthstones
This list of mystical birth stones originates from Tibet,
and dates back over a thousand years.
January - Emerald
February - Bloodstone
March - Jade
April - Opal
May - Sapphire
June - Moonstone
July - Ruby
August - Diamond
September - Agate
October - Jasper
November - Pearl
December - Onyx
Ayurvedic Birthstones
Ayurveda is the oldest system of medicine known on this earth. It originates from India, where Sanskrit is also the oldest written language known to mankind. The word ayurveda translates to mean 'knowledge and wisdom for living.'January - Garnet
February - Amethyst
March - Bloodstone
April - Diamond
May - Agate
June - Pearl
July - Ruby
August - Sapphire
September - Moonstone
October - Opal
November - Topaz
December - Ruby
High consciousness, healing jewelry designers:
