Birthstone Information
Birthstones are gemstones that are associated with each month. They may be precious stones, such as diamonds, or semi-precious, such as Lapiz Lazuli. In each case they are considered lucky for their particular months and for those who believe in such things their healing powers are heightened during their months.
So, if you're born in April then your birthstone is diamond and you will get the most benefit from diamonds by wearing them in April. Each birthstone has heightened powers during its month.
Birthstones have been used since at least the first century as a way to give good luck on one's birthday. Gemstones are associated with each month and each precious stone has designated qualities associated with it.
Different Types of Birthstones
Birthstones have been used for centuries to celebrate one's birth and different traditions have associated different gemstones with each month.
The Traditional Birthstone list contains older birthstones and is sometimes combined with the modern birthstone list. These stones reflect societal birthstone traditions, heralding back to the 15th century. It can be noted that many jewellers have differing lists of traditional birthstones.
The Mystical Birthstone list is of Tibetan origin from over a thousand years ago. The Ayurvedic Birthstone list is from Ayurvedic Indian Medicine - a type of medicine used for over a thousand years.
| Birth Month | Modern Birthstones | Traditional Birthstones | Mystical Birthstones | Ayurvedic Birthstones | Other Birthstones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Garnet | Emerald | Garnet | Rose Quartz |
| February | Amethyst | Amethyst | Bloodstone | Amethyst | Onyx, Moonstone |
| March | Aquamarine | Bloodstone | Jade | Bloodstone | Rock Crystal |
| April | Diamond | Diamond | Opal | Diamond | Quartz (Rock Crystal), White Sapphire |
| May | Emerald | Emerald | Sapphire | Agate | Chrysoprase, Beryl (Emerald and Aquamarine) |
| June | Pearl | Emerald | Sapphire | Agate | Chrysoprase, Beryl (Emerald and Aquamarine) |
| July | Ruby | Ruby | Ruby | Ruby | Carnelian |
| August | Peridot | Sardonyx | Diamond | Sapphire | Jade |
| September | Sapphire | Sapphire | Agate | Moonstone | Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, Chrysolite |
| October | Opal, Tourmaline | Tourmaline | Jasper | Opal | Pink Tourmaline, Zircon, Aquamarine |
| November | Yellow Topaz, Citrine | Citrine | Pearl | Topaz | Diamond |
| December | Topaz, Turquoise | Zircon, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli | Black Onyx | Ruby |
Meaning of the Birthstones
Each birthstone has its own history, meanings, holistic properties and myths. They can be associated with folklore tales, biblical texts and history and each one certainly has its own story. Mostly all meanings of each gemstone are somehow linked to the above original associations.
- January
- Faith, Eternity, Truth
- February
- Luck, Wittiness, Health
- March
- Happiness, Understanding
- April
- Eternity, Courage, Health
- May
- Fidelity, Goodness, Love
- June
- Peace, Nobility, Beauty
- July
- Love, Enthusiasm, Strength
- August
- Success, Peace, Love
- September
- Serenity, Truth
- October
- Purity, Hope, Health
- November
- Wisdom, Courage, Sincerity
- December
- Love, Happiness, Luck
History of Birthstones
As religion developed throughout the world gemstones gained a high position in the customs of religious worship. Most gem experts agree that the traditional birthstone list arose from the Breastplate of Aaron. This is a ceremonial religious garment set with twelve gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of Israel and also corresponded with the twelve signs of the zodiac and the twelve months of the year.
The High Priest's breast plate is mentioned in the Bible (Exodus) and it is said that the garment, worn on the chest of the high priest was designed by God himself. It was made from thread and metal and was set with three precious stones in four rows of three, each one engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The details of the exact stones used have been lost over time but it is believed to include sardius, topaz, emerald, sapphire, diamond, agate, amethyst, beryl (emerald and aquamarine), onyx and jasper.
In the New Testament the twelve foundation stones engraved with the names of the Apostles were based on the above stones of the breastplate. These twelve stones were later applied to Christ himself and each given a specific meaning:
- Jasper
- Satisfaction
- Sapphire
- The soul
- Chalcedony
- The truth
- Emerald
- Kindness and goodness
- Sardonyx
- Strength
- Sardius
- Readiness to shed his blood for the Church
- Chrysolite
- Excellence of his divine nature
- Beryl (Emerald and Aquamarine)
- Moderation and control of the passions
- Topaz
- Uprightness
- Chrysophase
- Strerness towards sinners
- Jacinth
- Dignity
- Amethyst
- Perfection
It is these original associations that has proved the starting point for the meanings that we now link to certain gemstones.
It wasn't until much later on, approximately 1,000 years after the signs of the zodiacs were introduced by Egyptians, that particular gemstones became associated with the months of the year and became known as birthstones. In turn the zodiac gemstones were also created.
Ancient people did not always classify gemstones by mineral species as we do now, so there is some debate about which gemstones were set into the breastplate and why. Because of this different cultures have created different birthstone lists. The modern list that you see available is the only recent list but some older lists still exist. Some prefer to assign gemstones to the astrological signs and not to the month.
Hour Stones
Over thousands of years tradition has developed associating certain gemstones with particular months of the year- commonly known as birthstones. It is now becoming apparent that there are not only anniversary or birth stones but also hour stones. These are gemstones that are said to correspond with the hour of one's birth, suggesting the ideal gift for someone who has just had a baby.
| Birth Hour | Gemstone |
|---|---|
| 1am | Quartz (Rock Crystal) |
| 2am | Hematite |
| 3am | Malachite |
| 4am | Lapis Lazuli |
| 5am | Turquoise |
| 6am | Tourmaline |
| 7am | Chrysolite |
| 8am | Amethyst |
| 9am | Kunzite |
| 10am | Sapphire |
| 11am | Garnet |
| 12pm | Diamond |
| 1pm | Zircon |
| 2pm | Emerald |
| 3pm | Beryl |
| 4pm | Topaz |
| 5pm | Ruby |
| 6pm | Opal |
| 7pm | Sardonyx |
| 8pm | Chalcedony |
| 9pm | Jade |
| 10pm | Jasper |
| 11pm | Iolite |
| 12am | Onyx |
