A birthstone is simply a gemstone that is linked to a person’s date of birth. Wearing a birthstone is thought to bring luck and good health. Due to their connections to the planets, several gemstones are said to possess supernatural abilities. Many societies used to associate a particular gemstone with births occurring during each sign of the zodiac, but throughout time, this custom was changed to correspond with calendar months.
Birthstones have their origins in ancient astrology, and over time, several different lists of birthstones have been employed. The one that is most widely used now is based on a list that the US jewelry industry initially made public in the 1950s.
According to calendar months, birthstones are categorized as follows:
In This Article...
January BirthstoneGarnet
This stone is thought to protect its wearer from harm. A garnet also represents unwavering loyalty and friendship. This stone has a long history of being connected to blood purification and is thought to ward off food poisoning, snake bites, and hemorrhaging.
March BirthstoneAquamarine
This gemstone was thought to protect seafarers and ensure a safe journey. The calming hue of aquamarine is thought to soothe the temper, enabling the wearer to maintain composure and objectivity. Additionally, it is thought that this stone delays the effects of aging.
May BirthstoneEmerald
This stone symbolizes rebirth, and those who wear it are said to receive wisdom, luck, and youth. Some people think that wearing an emerald will grant them patience, progress, and wisdom. For its capacity to convey deep love, it is also highly regarded.
July BirthstoneRuby
Rubies are thought to ensure health, intelligence, fortune, and success in love. They also excite the senses and the imagination. Ruby is thought to make the wearer intelligent and provide protection from all kinds of misfortunes.
August BirthstonePeridot
According to legend, peridot possesses magical abilities and healing qualities that can ward off nightmares and grant the wearer strength, influence, and a happy year. Additionally, this diamond was worn as a form of occult defense.
September BirthstoneSapphire
The wearer of sapphire and their loved ones are shielded from harm and enmity. Priests in antiquity thought sapphires were able to foretell the future. The gem is linked to contentment and calm.
October BirthstoneOpal
Through the ages, opal has stood for optimism, purity, and innocence. It was said that wearing it would improve the wearer’s vision. Additionally, it was believed to drive away evil spirits and to favor kids, entertainment, friendships, and emotions.
November BirthstoneCitrine
The wearer’s hope, enthusiasm, and warmth are supposed to be encouraged and guided by this golden gemstone, which is also said to boost vitality and health. Citrines have also been employed as a talisman against the plague, bad skin, and evil thoughts, as well as an antidote for snake poison. They are thought to facilitate digestion and help the body get rid of impurities.
December BirthstoneTurquoise
This gemstone is said to bring happiness and luck to the wearer. Turquoise was a hue that Native Americans connected to the blue sky and the green ground.
Are there two birthstones for each month?
Although each month has a single birthstone traditionally, certain months have numerous birthstones. This fact does cause some confusion, but the variety of possibilities for some months was developed to give customers a choice of less expensive selections in addition to the more typical, pricey stones.
Does your birthstone follow the zodiac or the month?
A birthstone is a gemstone that symbolizes a person’s month or zodiac sign at the time of birth. Birthstone jewelry or pendant necklaces are frequently worn.
Birthstones based on the Zodiac?
It’s uncertain exactly when the Zodiac Signs were introduced.
Although the use of the zodiac in some form dates back to before the Babylonians and Sumerians, it was they who created the first elaborate zodiac system.
Our present zodiac signs are listed on an ancient Persian tablet that is housed at the British Museum in London.
It was popular to correlate precious and semiprecious stones with the zodiac signs in ancient times because people thought that stones had magical abilities.
When that constellation was visible in the night sky, it was thought that the stones’ powers were stronger.
People therefore thought that adorning the stone of your zodiac sign might enhance the influences of such qualities and abilities.
From this list, Birthstones eventually developed.
Zodiac birthstones are attributed to the zodiac sign, whereas birthstones are assigned to the month of birth, despite similarities between the two lists.
Where do birthstones come from?
Birthstones have been the subject of several myths and stories throughout history. Birthstones have long been associated with miraculous healing or good luck in many cultures. There have been numerous lists of birthstones across time, but not all cultures have agreed on which gems belong with particular months.
Today, the majority of jewelers concur on a fundamental collection of birthstones. To find out more about each of these birthstones, let’s look at the calendar.
What is written in the Bible regarding birthstones?
According to some experts, birthstones date all the way back to the Bible. Moses gives instructions for sewing special clothing for Aaron, the Hebrews’ High Priest, in Exodus 28. Twelve priceless diamonds, signifying the twelve tribes of Israel, were to be placed specifically in the breastplate.
What colors are the 12 birthstones?
What stones represent each month’s birth? Garnet, amethyst, aquamarine, diamond, emerald, alexandrite, ruby, peridot, sapphire, tourmaline, topaz, and blue topaz are the gemstones associated with the months of January through December. Find out more about these well-known gemstones.
JanuaryGarnet
Garnet, the birthstone for January, is said to protect its owner when they are traveling. Because the gem resembles the color and shape of a pomegranate seed, the name “garnet” is derived from a term that meant “seed.”
FebruaryAmethyst
Amethyst, the birthstone for February, is thought to improve communication and offer the wearer bravery. Only royalty could wear the jewel in the past. The amethyst was believed to protect against intoxication by the ancient Greeks. Amethyst is really derived from the Greek word amethystos, which means “sober.”
MarchAquamarine, Bloodstone
Drinking the water the aquamarine, the birthstone for March, had been bathing in was said to cure stomach, liver, and heart ailments. Early sailors thought that aquamarine talismans bearing engravings of the sea god Neptune shielded them from the perils of the ocean.
The bloodstone, a dark green gemstone with scarlet flecks, is another birthstone for March.
AprilDiamond
The diamond, the birthstone for April, has long been associated with courage and is a symbol of unending love. The Sanskrit word for diamond is vajra, which also means lightning. In Hindu mythology, Indra, the king of the gods, used vajra as his weapon.
MayEmerald
Emerald, the birthstone for May, was a favorite jewel of Cleopatra’s. It has been linked to love, rebirth, and fertility for a very long time. This stone was even dedicated to Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, by the ancient Romans. Emeralds are now considered to represent knowledge, development, and patience.
JunePearl
Pearl, the birthstone for June, has traditionally been associated with purity. The goddess of love Aphrodite was thought by the ancient Greeks to have created pearls out of her dried up tears of ecstasy.
JulyRuby
The ancient Hindus revered ruby, the birthstone for July, as the “king of stones.” It was thought to keep the wearer safe from evil. The vivid red of the ruby now stands for passion and love.
AugustPeridot
Peridot, the birthstone for August, represents fortitude. Due to its pale green hue, it is frequently referred to as the “evening emerald.” The green peridot crystals discovered in volcanic ashes were once thought to represent the tears of Pele, the volcano goddess. This diamond was thought to ward off nightmares when set in gold.
SeptemberSapphire
Sapphire, the birthstone for September, was long supposed to ward off evil and poisoning. It was thought that putting a poisonous snake in a sapphire container would cause it to die. The sapphire, which has historically been a favored stone of priests and rulers, stands both innocence and knowledge.
OctoberOpal
Opal, the birthstone for October, represents loyalty and assurance. The term is derived from the Latin word opalus, which means “precious jewel.” Opal-set necklaces were worn to ward off evil and preserve vision.
DecemberTurquoise
Turquoise, the birthstone for December, is viewed as a love charm. It is also a representation of luck and success, and wearing one is said to calm the mind and shield the person from harm. Particularly turquoise rings are said to ward off evil spirits.
Learn More
Do you know your natal flower now that you know your birthstone? See our page of flowers by birth month!
Enjoy our birthday facts, history, folklore, and other fun stuff on our birthdays page.