What Does A Birthstone Mean

May 16, 2022

For thorough information on the nature, significance, and history of your birthstone, click on the month.

  • March: Amethyst
  • Aquamarine for March
  • April: Diamond or Quartz?
  • June: Alexandrite or Pearl
  • Sapphire for September
  • Tourmaline or opal for October
  • January: Citrine
  • January: turquoise

In the last years of the Roman Empire, red garnets were the most sought-after gemstone. The Latin term for seedlike, “granatus,” is where the word “garnet” originates. This was an allusion to how much they resembled pomegranate seeds in appearance. The high refractive index of garnets is another property that provides the impression that the gem is releasing light to spectators.

Due to this phenomena, explorers and travelers began to bring garnets along with them on their voyages as a means of protection and illumination. Throughout the Crusades, this custom remained. It’s interesting to note that garnets were connected to protection in a variety of ancient cultures, including the Central American Aztecs and various Eastern Asian tribes, whose soldiers would carry them into battle. Some of these tribes would even try to use garnet arrowheads (and subsequently bullets during the late 1800s) to attack their rivals who were wearing garnets as protection. While we don’t advise using garnets for that purpose, we do believe giving someone a garnet as a present is a wonderful way to express your concern for their safety on all of their future travels.

What’s February’s Birthstone?Amethyst

Amethysts, which are jewels belonging to the Quartz family, are prized for their intense violet hue and twinned crystal structure. Since ancient Egypt, amethysts have been carved and set into jewelry, and they are still highly well-liked today. The Greek word “amethystos,” which means “not drunk,” is where the word “amethyst” originates.

Dionysus (the god of wine and inebriated revelry), according to a Greek myth, became furious with all mankind after one insulted him by turning down Dionysus’ hospitality. He promised to avenge the subsequent mortal he encountered. Amethystos, a young woman, was the mortal and she was on her way to worship to the goddess Artemis. Amethystos called out to Artemis when she realized she was in distress, and Artemis answered by turning her into a life-saving statue of pure white (although we’d argue that Artemis didn’t actually do anything to change Amethystos’ predicament). In an act of penitence, Dionysus dumped his wine cup on top of the statue after being affected by its purity. This gave the monument a rich purple hue.

Dionysus’s brief period of abstinence created a connection between abstaining from alcohol. The Greeks would carry them on their person and cover their drinking utensils in amethysts to benefit from the stone’s potency. Giving your buddies an amethyst won’t guarantee them a mythical alcohol tolerance, but we do hope it will give them the sense to limit their consumption.

The blue variety of the aesthetically complex Beryl family is known as aquamarine. All of the colors that are associated with beryl are generated by impurities because pure beryl is often transparent. The presence of iron in the deposits where aquamarines developed is what gives them their blue color. Most aquamarines are found in South-East Asia, Sri Lanka, and Brazil. They are widely sought after for their stunning color and immaculate crystal structure, despite being less well known than other stones. Because they are less common in nature, stones with deeper blue tones are valued higher. Due to this, resourceful jewelers are now applying heat treatments to change the hue of their aquamarines.

No matter the hue of blue, for generations, these stones have conjured up memories of the ocean and boundless skies. Many sailors would bring aquamarines on their journeys for a variety of relaxing purposes, such as promoting restful sleep by placing one beneath their pillows at night or protecting themselves from poisons and bad food by carrying one in their pocket while they ate. The harmony they bring into your marriage is another benefit of aquamarines. With all of these advantages, aquamarines make wonderful presents for new mothers, brides, and especially your “weird friend who is preparing to sail around the world.”

What’s April’s Birthstone?Quartz

Due to impurities, quartz, the second-most frequent family of gemstones on earth, can be found in a wide range of hues (similar to the Beryl family). Clear is quartz’s inborn hue. Quartz can be found in every type of rock formation on the planet. They are frequently discovered inside geodes, which are hollow crystal masses created when quartz fills up gas bubbles in cooling volcanic rock or dissolves sedimentary rock and is replaced by quartz particles. Twining is the term for the occurrence whereby Quartz gems frequently have a twin crystal sharing a point of contact on their symmetrical crystal lattice.

Quartz’s resistance to damage and scratches is the reason for its relationship with strength. On the Mohs scale, which measures how resistant minerals are to scratches, quartz is one of the hardest minerals. Their appearance in geodes, something lovely concealed inside something unremarkable seeming, enhanced the relationship. For a loved one who needs to be reminded that they are strong even if they don’t appear to be, quartz crystals or a broken open geode make wonderful presents.

What’s May’s Birthstone?Emerald

The crystal lattice that makes up an emerald is susceptible to fracture from impacts while having a surface that is more scratch-resistant compared to other gemstones. Because of this, even if an emerald has faults that can be seen under a microscope, it is still regarded as flawless if there are no cracks that can be seen with the human eye.

The Latin words “esmaralda” and “esmaraldus,” which roughly translate to “a green gem,” are where emeralds get their name. While some may find it a little too obvious, we believe the term “emerald” is a fantastic one for this gem because of its stunning green hue, which conjures images of spring and renewal. Because of this relationship, emeralds make wonderful presents for people who are beginning new chapters in their lives or who need a reminder that winter doesn’t stay forever (even in the North-East!).

What’s June’s Birthstone?Alexandrite

Under normal circumstances, alexandrite appears clear and yellow-green or greenish blue. However, when exposed to polarized light (such as that from the Sun), specimens suddenly burst into a rainbow of hues, ranging from red to dark purple or orange, depending on the angle at which you are seeing them. Pleochroism is a phenomenon that is highly helpful for identifying minerals.

There are several translucent yellow-green gems in existence, but relatively few of them display this spectrum of colors under illumination. We believe that this is a lovely representation of love because it doesn’t come in just one shade or shape, and you can always tell when you’ve got the real thing. Giving an alexandrite stone as a present is a beautiful way to share your love with all of your loved ones because, just as there is more to love than just romantic love, there is more to love than simply yellow-green alexandrite.

What’s July’s Birthstone?Ruby

When compared to sapphires, rubies are a unique variety of the mineral corundum. If not for their distinctive dark red hue, rubies would be thought of as sapphires. The ruby’s chromium content is what gives it its red hue. When growing up in volcanic rock formations, rubies with insufficient amounts of chromium are given the name “pink sapphires” and are prohibited from participating in any of the gemstone sports.

For thousands of years, humanity have found rubies to be utterly fascinating due to something unique about them. The red glow that emerges from absorbing light from the environment and later reemitting it plays a significant role in the ruby’s attraction. Pigeon-blood rubies are the most expensive in the world because of their uncanny blood-red color with blue overtones. Due to its resemblance to blood, this color has come to be associated with vitality and physical toughness. Since ancient times, rubies have been placed in drinking containers since we traditionally toast each other’s health. Today, a ruby is a wonderful gift for someone who needs a reminder that they are vibrant and alive with much to contribute to the world.

What’s August’s Birthstone?Peridot

The term “peridot” is used to distinguish gem-quality olivine from inferior specimens. Peridot is always a yellow-green color, and the more expensive a piece, the darker it is. The quantity of iron in the stone determines how dark it will be. The Red Sea island where the Egyptians are said to have mined peridot is said to have been lost until it was rediscovered in 1900. Since then, there have been other discoveries of deposits of extremely high-quality stones that are bigger, more opaque, and darker in hue.

Peridots are notable for having a consistent color in both natural and artificial light, which sets them apart from other gems with similar hues like emeralds. Because of their capacity to emit the same green glow at night, particularly in Egyptian culture, they have come to be associated with exceptional beauty. Contrary to the beauty of those who wear these stones, peridot is easily broken and needs a lot of preventive maintenance to stay looking its best. In today’s world, receiving a peridot as a gift can convey the message that, no matter what the situation, the person lights up the room.

What’s September’s Birthstone?Lapis Lazuli

There is proof that Afghanistan has been mining lapis lazuli since 4,000 BC, and that it was a popular trading item with other emerging civilizations like the Egyptians. Because lapis is a delicate gemstone, working with it by hand was made easier. Contrary to many jewels, most specimens of lapis lazuli share a fairly consistent shade of blue. The concentration and placement of pyrite crystals on the exterior of lapis specimens is the primary visual distinction.

Following his conquest of Egypt and parts of Persia, Alexander the Great started bringing lapis and other precious stones to his home in Macedonia and subsequently the rest of Europe. Lapis was pulverized up and used as an ultramarine paint pigment throughout Europe. When compared to other blue pigments, ultramarine was exceptional in that it did not lose color when exposed to direct sunshine. It was incredibly pricey as a result. Lapis lazuli is the ideal present for Frank Underwood or the other politicians in your life because its pure blue stone has subsequently come to be connected with promoting honesty in your relationships and making smarter judgments.

What’s October’s Birthstone?Tourmaline or Opal

There is no other stone with a wider variety of hues found in nature than tourmaline, which is known as the technicolor dream coat of gems. Since no two tourmalines are the same, they were confused for other jewels until they were categorized as a separate mineral species in the 1800s. Tourmalines had previously been mistaken for sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and other precious stones. In actuality, red tourmaline, commonly known as rubellite, is now thought to be the source of the rubies in both the Russian and British crown jewels.

Like tourmaline, opals can display a broad range of hues. The distinction is that an opal may concurrently exhibit all the hues of the rainbow because it can diffract light. Because it was believed to have all the value of each gemstone in the opal’s color spectrum, it has long been regarded as a sign of good fortune. However, people in the 1800s started to connect opals with bad luck and even death after the release of Sir Walter Scott’s novel Anne of Geierstein.

What’s November’s Birthstone?Citrine

One of the most uncommon forms of quartz found in nature is citrine. Spain, France, Hungary, and Arran are the only countries where natural citrine may be found (a small island off of Scotland). Despite this, it has emerged as jewelry’s second-most popular kind of quartz (after amethysts). To meet the rising demand, jewelers have even begun heat-treating some lesser-quality amethyst and smokey quartz gems to modify their hue to a shade of yellow or reddish yellow and make them more resemble citrines.

The scarcity of reasonably priced gold stones on the market was the cause of their appeal. Gold jewels are alluring because they channel the power of the sun and all of the positivity associated with it. Citrines are thought to uplift your spirits and help you appreciate where you are, which is pretty fitting for the month that encompasses Thanksgiving. Giving someone a citrine is a wonderful way to let them know that you feel their delight when you are with them.

What’s December’s Birthstone?Turquoise

For thousands of years, numerous societies, each with its own name for these opaque blue-green jewels, have placed a great value on them. Because it was brought to France by Venetian traders who had bought the stones in contemporary Iran, the word turquoise is derived from the Old French word for Turkey (then a part of Turkey). Due of the rarity of deposits, turquoise has been extensively traded. The Southwestern United States, China, Iran, and Egypt are currently known to have the world’s only significant turquoise deposits. A distinctive feature of turquoise is that a hue was named after it, not the other way around.

In Turkish culture, receiving a turquoise as a present was thought to make making friends extremely simple. The only catch was that you had to already have a friend who would give you a turquoise in order to be granted this superpower. If you ask me, this situation kind of sounds like a catch-22. It seems sense that turquoise is associated with friendship since, like a friendship, it requires the cooperation of copper and aluminum molecules to form a new mineral.

You are now prepared to determine whether or not you were born in the right month after learning more about your birthstone and the advantages they can provide. Any problems should be discussed with your mother; perhaps you could start the dialogue by giving her a birthstone.

  • What we now know as lapis was probably once called sapphire.
  • Most likely, the diamonds were white sapphire or topaz.

Birthstone jewelry is believed to bring protection, good health, and luck. Ancient astrologers believed that some gemstones had mystical properties.

What birthstone has the best omens?

It is regarded as a gemstone that stimulates imagination and creativity. Some people believe that wearing an opal brings bad luck to anyone born in a different month. But that specific superstition originates from a novel from the 1800s (Sir Walter Scott’s Anne of Geierstein), not from any old beliefs or experiences. Because it may display all colors, opal has actually been considered throughout the majority of history as the luckiest and most mystical of all jewels.

What birthstone is the most uncommon?

While some birthstones are more accessible than others, precious gemstones in particular are thought to be relatively scarce. However, given that some really expensive stones are not all that rare and vice versa, price tags can be deceiving when it comes to rarity. For instance, although expensive, April’s diamond is less rare than rubies, emeralds, and alexandrite. Speaking of alexandrite, it is now the most expensive and rarest gemstone on the list of birthstones. Additionally extremely rare, black opals are.

Birthstones provide an intriguing way to select jewelry. They enable people to investigate jewels that they might otherwise avoid. However, birthstones are not always what people think they are, so make sure you are buying birthstone jewelry for the right reasons while making your selection.

What does it indicate if a diamond is your birthstone?

The diamond, which is the traditional April birthstone and has special significance for anyone born in that month, is said to improve relationships and give the wearer more inner strength. It is said that wearing diamonds will also bring about abundance, clarity, and equilibrium.

Do you allow birthstone jewelry?

The world is aware of the power of gemstones. In reality, astrological jewelry has been worn for hundreds of years throughout the world, and for Indians, it still almost constitutes a way of life. But while the concept is anything but modern, birthstone interest is definitely modern. The concept of birthstones has existed in the west since the time of the Bible. It has also existed in India since the dawn of time. Since people are more aware of the significance and advantageous effects of gemstones, the popularity witnessed on both sides of the globe is something new and expected.

It appears that you can wear any astrological gemstones or birthstones without visiting a specialist, according to the widespread agreement. In actuality, you can. The internet is a great resource for teaching people about gemstones, especially their birthstones. Of course, they are beneficial, but there is a reason why many people prefer to speak with a professional first.

Can I always wear my birthstone?

Every single one of us dreams of owning a birthday ring, especially if it’s one she can wear every day. To endure the test of time and the hiccups of daily life, the latter should adhere to a few guiding principles. In light of this, we have developed a few suggestions that will enable you to choose wisely and prevent you from making an expensive error.

To begin with, you need confirm that your birthstone is durable enough to be worn every day, which is where the Moh’s hardness scale comes in. Anything with a Moh’s scale rating of 7.5 or higher is suitable for daily wear, while anything lower needs extra care.

Both January’s birthstone, garnet, and February’s birthstone, amethyst, which rates a 7.0 on the Moh’s Hardness Scale, are not suggested for regular use. With regard to March, the aquamarine rates between 7.5 and 8.0 on the Moh’s Hardness Scale, making it a suitable stone for everyday use. With a score of 10 on a scale of 1 to 10, April tops the list, proving why diamond engagement rings are the most popular choice. However, even if it scores 7.5 on the scale, emeralds typically have inclusions that make them even more fragile than they already are. As such, if you were born in May and have emerald as your birthstone, you should avoid wearing it every day. Instead, save this priceless piece for special occasions only, or use it in a pendant to protect it from being struck by objects while working. The three birthstones for June are alexandrite, moonstone, and pearl. Both moonstones with a score of 6.0-6.5 and pearls with a score of 2.5 should be avoided. We are left with alexandrites, who had a better rating of 8.5. The ruby, the month of July’s birthstone, is the ideal stone for a daily wear ring, scoring a 9.0 on the scale. In addition, spinel, one of the three birthstones for the month of August together with peridot and sardonyx, is the best option for girls born in that month with a score of 8.0, while September babies can easily choose sapphire as the central stone for a daily-wear ring. Unfortunately, October’s opal and tourmaline, which are rated 5.56.5 and 7.07.5 on the Moh’s Hardness Scale, respectively, don’t cut it. If you were born in November, stay away from citrine and select topaz, which rates at 8.0. (7.0). Also available as December birthstones are tanzanite, blue zircon, and turquoise, although only the blue topaz is available to females born in December.

Which gemstone has the most strength?

Relationships, love, and mental clarity are all qualities of the diamond. Since diamonds are the strongest gemstone, it seems sense that they are considered to bring people together (and not just because they are so beautiful).

Which gemstone combination is not recommended?

Rahu and Ketu are two planets whose elements are distinct from one another. Thus, it is forbidden to wear hessonite and cat’s eye together because they resonate with the planets Rahu and Ketu, respectively. Here are some additional gemstones that you should never wear together.

  • Wearing a ruby while wearing something with a garnet, sapphire, diamond, or cat’s eye is never a good idea.
  • Avoid wearing pearls, moonstone, or opal with quartz, and avoid wearing the moon with Rahu and Ketu.
  • Jupiter’s stones should not be combined with Venus’ and Mercury’s elements. Therefore, stay away from pairing diamonds with emerald and yellow sapphire gemstones.
  • Blue sapphires shouldn’t be paired with pearls, coral, or rubies. These stones belong to Saturn and cannot be combined with those of the sun, moon, or Mars.
  • Wearing pearl and rubies together would be like combining the sun and moon’s energy.
  • Venus should not be combined with the Moon or Sun. As a result, avoid wearing diamonds alongside rubies and pearls.
  • Avoid combining crystals and stones that are associated with the Sun and Moon with cat’s eye, which is the Ketu element.
  • Wearing transparent green and blue gemstones with red coral is not advised because this will bring Mars, the Sun, and Mercury into conflict.