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A Cool List of Planet-wide Birthstones,
Plus Zodiac Birthstones, and a Fascinating
Birthstone History, How it All Evolved...
The Planet-Wide
Appreciation of Birthstones Celebrated
By Diverse People
Worldwide Over the Millennia
The
concept of birthstones dates back thousands of years. Birthstones
were
worn by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Incas, Aztecs and Persians
who
believed that gems had curative and protective powers.
Some believe that the original connections between gemstones and the
months
of the year evolved from twelve stones that were mentioned in the
Bible. This
connection dates back to the breastplate of Aaron, who was a Hebrew
high priest,
and mentioned in the book of Exodus.
The Bible records that God ordered Aaron to create a breastplate with
twelve
gemstones. Some believe they represented the twelve tribes of Israel,
some say
each gem represented one the twelve months of the year and
eventually, and
even in those distant times, the twelve stones were linked to twelve
zodiac signs.
There were also myths and legends over the many centuries and gems
were
considered powerful healing and protective amulets and talismen, and
safeguards
for the soul. And not all cultures agreed on which gems should
correspond to each
month. As human history marched on, diverse lists of birthstones
evolved, based
for the most part on gemstone availability in that region and its price.
Taking a more modern look at the evolution of birthstones, we learn that
the
custom of a person wearing and giving birthstone jewelry is believed
to have
become popular in Poland during the 16th or 17th century.
That said, across time and across the planet, gemstones set aside as
birthstones by
peoples of diverse global cultures have come to be quite varied,
yet these gems are
bestowed the same reverence -- all are representative of the
symbolism of wearing
a precious gemstone that honors the month of the wearer's
birth.
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Today's modern birthstones were first compiled by the National Association
of
Jewelers in the US who created a birthstone list back in 1912. But
the birthstone
designations that I uncovered actually have not only these modern
roots, but also
have traditional, mystical, ayurvedic, sun/star signs, zodiac, talismanic,
planetary,
society-based, cultural and religious origins.
In other words, my birthstone list below features not only traditional (jewelers')
birthstones for each month, but also lists multiple birthstones that I
researched
which honor the beliefs, customs, superstitions, legends, myths,
celebrations and
long-held traditions of diverse peoples worldwide.
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JANUARY
-- TRADITIONAL BIRTHSTONE - GARNET
Other stones associated with the month of JANUARY are emerald, ruby,
agate,
amethyst, onyx,
jasper, moss agate, opal, sugilite, turquoise, coral, rose
quartz, sapphire, serpentine, garnet
------------------------
FEBRUARY
-- TRADITIONAL
BIRTHSTONE - AMETHYST
Other
stones associated with the month of FEBRUARY are bloodstone, garnet, moss
agate, opal,
pearls, turquoise, jasper, aquamarine, bloodstone, jade, rock
crystal, sapphire, onyx and topaz
----------------------
MARCH
-- TRADITIONAL
BIRTHSTONES – BLOODSTONE
AND AQUAMARINE
Other
stones associated with the month of MARCH are jade, jasper, opal,
amethyst, sapphire, ruby,
diamond, and topaz
------------------------
APRIL
-- TRADITIONAL
BIRTHSTONE - DIAMOND
Other
stones associated with the month of APRIL are opal, sapphire, bloodstone,
topaz, jasper,
coral, amber, turquoise, emerald, moonstone, aventurine, pearls, and
garnet
----------------------
MAY
-- TRADITIONAL
BIRTHSTONE - EMERALD
Other
stones associated with the month of MAY are sapphire, agate, carnelian,
coral, turquoise,
tourmaline, aventurine, pearls, jade,
garnet, amber, rose quartz, tiger's eye, chrysoprase, citrine,
and white sapphire
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JUNE
-- TRADITIONAL
BIRTHSTONES - PEARL AND ALEXANDRITE
Other stones associated with the month of JUNE are moonstone, agate,
chalcedony, emerald,
chrysoprase, tiger's eye, white sapphire, ruby, sapphire, turquoise,
citrine, rhodalite and pearls
---------------------------
JULY
-- TRADITIONAL
BIRTHSTONE - RUBY
Other
stones associated with the month of JULY are carnelian, sapphire, onyx,
sardonyx, emerald,
moonstone, pearl, diamond, tourmaline and turquoise
-------------------------
AUGUST
-- TRADITIONAL
BIRTHSTONES - SPINEL, PERIDOT, SARDONYX
Other
stones associated with the month of AUGUST are diamond, sapphire, ruby,
moonstone, alexandrite,
black spinel, carnelian, tourmaline, onyx, citrine, zircon, jade, and jasper
-------------------------
SEPTEMBER
-- TRADITIONAL
BIRTHSTONE - SAPPHIRE
Other
stones associated with the month of SEPTEMBER are agate, moonstone,
zircon, peridot,
sardonyx, citrine, carnelian, jade, jasper, opal, and lapis lazuli
---------------------------------------
OCTOBER
-- TRADITIONAL
BIRTHSTONES - OPAL AND PINK
TOURMALINE
Other
stones associated with the month of OCTOBER are jasper, aquamarine, coral,
beryl, garnet,
peridot, sapphire, lapis, agate, topaz, ruby, and amethyst
-----------------------------------
NOVEMBER
-- TRADITIONAL
BIRTHSTONE - CITRINE
Other stones associated with the month of NOVEMBER are topaz, pearls,
chrysoprase, beryl,
aquamarine, garnet, ruby, amethyst, sapphire, and turquoise
-----------------------------------
DECEMBER
-- TRADITIONAL
BIRTHSTONES - BLUE TOPAZ AND
TURQUOISE
Other
stones associated with the month of DECEMBER are blue zircon, tanzanite,
apatite, lapis,
onyx, ruby, chrysoprase, agate, garnet, amethyst, sapphire, and beryl
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WHAT'S
YOUR SIGN?
TAKE A LOOK AT ZODIAC BIRTHSTONES FOR EACH SIGN
Aquarius Birthstones - (Jan. 20-Feb.18)
Garnet, Amethyst, Jasper, Amber, Hematite, Aquamarine, Opal, Turquoise, Pearl, Jade
Pisces Birthstones - (Feb. 19-Mar. 20)
Amethyst, Labradorite, Jade, Pearl, Moonstone, Opal, Ametrine, Fluorite, Amazonite,
Quartz, Tourmaline
Aries Birthstones - (Mar. 21-Apr. 20)
Diamond, Carnelian, Jasper, Citrine, Magnesite, Aquamarine, Opal, Aventurine
Taurus Birthstones - (Apr. 21-May 21)
Emerald,
Sapphire, Rose Quartz, Agate, Turquoise, Smoky Quartz, Coral, Garnet,
Bronzite, Peridot, Black Spinel
Gemini Birthstones - (May 22-Jun. 21)
Pearls, Agate, Turquoise, Citrine, Tiger's Eye, Amethyst, Moonstone, Amber, Bronzite,
Tiger's Eye
Cancer Birthstone - (Jun. 22-Jul. 22)
Ruby, Emerald, Carnelian, Moonstone, Aventurine, Jade, Clear Quartz, Labradorite,
Pearl
Leo Birthstones - (Jul. 23-Aug. 23)
Peridot, Spinel, Crystal, Garnet, Onyx, Topaz, Tourmaline, Amber, Tiger's Eye, Jade
Virgo Birthstones - (Aug. 24-Sep.22)
Sapphire, Carnelian, Citrine, Prehnite, Amazonite, Jasper, Amber, Zircon, Agate,
Pearl, Moonstone
Libra Birthstones - (Sep. 23-Oct. 23)
Opal, Peridot, Agate, Prehnite, Sapphire, Aventurine, Bronzite, Citrine, Apatite,
Smoky Quartz, Jasper
Scorpio Birthstones - (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
Topaz, Prehnite, Jasper, Black Spinel, Hematite, Opal, Aquamarine, Coral, Carnelian,
Pearl, Citrine
Sagittarius Birthstones - (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)
Turquoise, Amethyst, Sapphire, Topaz, Ruby, Labradorite, Fluorite, Tourmaline, Onyx
Capricorn Birthstones - (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)
Garnet, Ruby, Agate, Black Onyx, Quartz, Fluorite, Hematite, Malachite, Moonstone,
Peridot, Opal
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Please
note that the Birthstone History and Birthstone Lists are a joyful
diversion.
This birthstone information was created by
FavoriteBlings.com
and intended purely
for entertainment purposes.
Be sure to also check out my Jewelry Blog links below, including Dawn of the Bling -
the History of
Jewelry. Thank you for visiting and tell your friends!
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2021 FavoriteBlings.com All rights reserved.
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