Birthstone Gems
Background
In folklore, there is a birthstone associated with each of the 12 months of the year. You can find details of the birthstone for your birth month below.
Birthstones are believed to date back to the breastplate of Aaron, Moses’s brother in the bible, which had twelve gemstones each representing Israel’s twelve tribes. The list you see below dates back to 1912, with just one addition since then when the gem tanzanite was associated with December.
There are numerous legends and myths about their healing powers and their therapeutic properties. According to these legends, wearing a gemstone during its assigned month gives it healing powers. So to maximise the effect wearers needed to own all twelve and change them every month.
January Gem – Garnet
The Garnet is the birthstone for January, and is used to show everlasting friendship and trust and therefore it is the perfect gift to give a friend. Garnet, comes from the word granatum, which means “seed,” its called this because ogemstone resemblances a pomegranate seed. There are references to the garnet dating back to 3100 B.C., when the Egyptians used the garnet as an inlay gem in their jewellery.
February Gem – Amethyst
The Amethyst is the birthstone for February, and was thought by ancient Greeks and Romans to ward off the inebriating powers of the god of wine Bacchus, it was also is said to give the wearer a quick-wit and a clear head. This gemstone has historically been associated with many myths, legends, religions, and numerous cultures. During the middle ages the English decorated royal jewellery with amethysts to symbolize royalty.
March Gem – Aquamarine
Aquamarine comes from the Latin word aqua, meaning water, and marina, meaning the sea. It was believed the gem protects sailors, and guarantees a safe voyage. Aquamarine is often light tonally and ranges from greenish blue to blue-green. The cool colour of aquamarine complements spring and summer.opean royal jewellery. Amethyst is purple quartz, which is a lovely blend of violet and red and they can found in every corner of the earth.
April Gem – Diamond
The diamond is the traditional birthstone of April and is traditionally thought to provide the wearer with improved relationships and an increase in “inner strength”. Wearing diamonds are also rumoured to bring other benefits such as balance, clarity and abundance and traditionally symbolises everlasting love.
May Gem – Emerald
The emerald, the gemstone for May is thought to be a symbol of rebirth, and it is believed to grant the wearer increased foresight, good fortune, and youth.The word Emerald comes from the word smaragdus, meaning green in Greek, and it was mined in Egypt as early as 330 B.C.
June Gem – Alexandrite
Classed as a modern gem, Alexandrite was actually discovered in Russia in 1831 when Czar Alexander II was on the throne – hence the name. Its colour is a beautiful green in daylight and fluorescent light; but it changes colour to a purplish red in incandescent light.
July Gem – Ruby
Show your love and give a ruby to celebrate a July birthday. Rubies are said to awake the senses, touch the imagination, and ensure health, wisdom, wealth and success in love. Ruby is actually harder than any other natural gemstone except diamond, which means a ruby is more than durable enough to wear every day.
August Gem – Peridot
The Peridot is thought to have magical powers and healing properties that guard against nightmares and brings the owner power, and influence, and luck. Peridot gemstones form deep inside the earth and are brought to the surface by volcanic action. On the volcanic island of Hawaii, Peridot symbolizes the tears of Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes.
September Gem – Sapphire
September means Sapphire, which has been popular since the Middle Ages and, according to the legends, will protect your loved ones from envy and harm. In fact clergy in the Middle Ages wore sapphires to symbolize heaven, whilst the common folk thought sapphires attracted blessings from above. Blue sapphires range from very light to very dark green-blue or violet-blue, as well as various shades of pure blue.
October Gem – Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a favourite gem amongst jewellery designers and gem collectors all over the world. This is because it comes in a wide variety of colours, so it can be matched to almost anyone's taste. Tourmaline also occurs with multiple colours in the same gemstone.
November Gem – Citrine
Citrine, the “healing quartz” is the birthstone for November. This golden gemstone is thought to encourage vitality and health whist promoting and guiding hope, energy and warmth within the owner.
December Gem – Topaz
The topaz has been known about for over 2000 years and is one of the gemstones which will allegedly form the foundations of the twelve gates to the Holy City of the New Jerusalem. These so-called apocalyptic stones are intended to serve in protection against enemies and as a symbol of beauty and splendour. We are not sure whether the name of the topaz comes from the Sanskrit or the Greek, though the Greek name 'topazos' means 'green gemstone'. The Romans dedicated the topaz to Jupiter.
If you are interested: Create a Birthstone Wedding Ring.