Do You Know Your Birthstone? The Ultimate Guide to Birthstones
From January's garnet, which signifies friendship and trust, to April's diamonds, which represent love, to July's sapphires, which represent richness and nobility, each birthstone has its meaning and energy.
Admittedly, birthstones are frequently acquired for their spiritual significance, including but not limited to healing, protective and restorative abilities. On the other hand, you could get a lovely pendant. Birthstones are magical and charming, whether or not you're spiritual. Keep reading to find out which stone is your birthstone.
What Are Birthstones
Birthstones, sometimes known as "birthday stones," are a variety of unique gemstones that have historically been connected with the Gregorian calendar's 12 months. For instance, if you were born in January, garnet is your birthstone, etc.
Birthstones have been widely worn since ancient times when people widely thought that gemstones had miraculous properties, including luck, health, and wealth. These days, it's popular to wear a necklace, bracelet, ring, or pair of earrings with your birthstone as a constant reminder of the month in which you were born.
Several stories and myths about birthstone healing abilities and medicinal effects exist. Oddly enough, wearing a gemstone throughout its designated month may enhance its healing powers and have a therapeutic impact on you. You could wear a different birthstone monthly to make the most of this.
Your birthstone is supposed to grant you good health, healing abilities, or protection. Diamonds, for example, are considered to foster innocence and purity, while sapphires are thought to offer good health and wisdom.
The Origin of Birthstones
Birthstones may be traced back to the Breastplate of Aaron, as mentioned in the Bible's Book of Exodus. The Breastplate included 12 distinct jewels representing the 12 tribes of Israel. It was a sacred garment with particular tribal symbolism. The stones were arranged in four rows, three to showcase the unique characteristics of each tribe.
And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their terms, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall be according to the twelve tribes." Exodus 28:21
The tradition of wearing just one birthstone is said to have originated barely a few centuries ago. Before that, individuals possessed twelve stones and changed them every month. Here's why: between the first and fifth centuries CE, Josephus and St. Jerome started associating these stones with the zodiac signs.
Each birthstone, it is said, granted wearers extraordinary abilities during the associated astrological time. As a result, individuals attempted to gather and wear all twelve jewels as totems or for therapeutics all year long.
Birthstones Symbolism
The symbolism of your birthstone varies based on whatever culture you look at it from and folklore. However, your birthstone is supposed to provide you with wellness, healing abilities, or security.
For example, Opal, the birthstone for October, is thought to have invisibility properties and to guard against spiritual deterioration.
A jewelry set with the recipient's birthstone is a thoughtful and meaningful birthday present. Birthstone jewelry comes in various styles and patterns, so you will likely find something that appeals to the recipient.
What is my Birthstone?
As we explore the realm of birthstones and their spiritual links with the months they symbolize, I will list the different birthstones under various subcategories below.
● List of traditional Birthstones and their corresponding months:
January – Garnet
February – Amethyst, Hyacinth, Pearl
March – Bloodstone, Jasper
April – Diamond, Sapphire
May – Emerald, Agate
June – Cat's Eye, Turquoise, Agate
July – Turquoise, Onyx
August – Sardonyx, Carnelian, Moonstone, Topaz
September – Chrysolite
October – Opal, Aquamarine
November – Topaz, Pearl
December – Bloodstone, Ruby
● List of modern Birthstones and their corresponding months (the Jewelers of America first correctly defined modern Birthstones in 1912):
January – Garnet
February – Amethyst
March – Aquamarine, Bloodstone
April – Diamond
May – Emerald
June – Pearl, Moonstone, Alexandrite
July – Ruby
August – Peridot, Spinel
September – Sapphire
October – Opal, Tourmaline
November – Topaz, Citrine
December – Turquoise, Tanzanite, Zircon
● List of the United Kingdom version of modern Birthstones:
January – Garnet
February – Amethyst
March – Aquamarine, Bloodstone
April – Diamond, Rock Crystal
May – Emerald, Chrysoprase
June – Pearl, Moonstone (Alexandrite)
July – Ruby, Carnelian
August – Peridot, Sardonyx
September – Sapphire, Lapis Lazuli
October – Opal
November – Topaz, Citrine
December – Turquoise, Tanzanite
● List of the different zodiac signs and their corresponding Birthstones:
Aquarius – Garnet
Pisces – Amethyst
Aries – Bloodstone
Taurus – Sapphire
Gemini – Agate
Cancer – Emerald
Leo – Onyx
Virgo – Carnelian
Libra – Chrysolite
Scorpio – Beryl
Sagittarius – Topaz
Capricorn – Ruby
January Birthstone – Garnet
Garnet is both the traditional and modern birthstone for January. Garnet belongs to what is arguably one of the fascinating families of precious stones on the whole planet. Garnets come in various colors, and green ones, like Tsavorite, are sometimes confused with emeralds because of their appearance.
According to urban legend, children wearing garnet necklaces are spared from nightmares and experience an increased sense of value. Garnet protects the heart and lungs while also growing vitality. Because of its durability, garnet is often used in everyday jewelry pieces.
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February Birthstone – Amethyst
Amethyst is associated with numerous things, including calm and nobility. It is traditionally said to give bravery and build connections. Both traditional and current listings include it as the February birthstone.
This stone is said to soothe the soul of those born in February. Amethyst protects its wearers against intoxication, arthritis, and disease. It also protects the intellect and frees the bearer from desire. Amethyst can help people overcome obstacles and build romantic connections.
March Birthstone – Aquamarine
Like emeralds, aquamarine is a precious stone of the beryl family. The name is a combination of the Latin words aqua and marina. When put together, they mean "seawater," which is a fitting description for the color of this gemstone.
Aquamarine encourages creativity, optimism, self-expression, and bravery. The wearer of this gem will experience an increase in romantic fulfillment, vitality, health, and contentment. Aquamarine has long been used to support pregnant women by protecting both the mother and the infant from danger.
Anyways:
Bloodstone is often considered to be the traditional March birthstone. This vivid green chalcedony with orange and crimson dots was associated with the Crucifixion in Medieval times.
April Birthstone – Diamond
The diamond has always been one of the most valuable gemstones in history! It is now a globally recognized symbol of love and matrimony.
It is a sign of purity, love, and innocence and is also considered to develop personal character and loyalty to oneself and others. People thought that owning a diamond would bestow increased power, fearlessness, and courage on the wearer.
Diamonds are available in almost every color conceivable. Its hues span from transparent to black and every shade in between. Although colorless diamonds are the most popular, other hues like yellow, champagne, and brown are gaining popularity.
May Birthstone – Emerald
Emerald is the most valuable green variant of the mineral beryl. It is among the most valuable gemstones due to its unusual, deep green color.
This gemstone is associated with health, fidelity, fertility, and riches. Emeralds are also said to have mystical healing properties. This gemstone cleanses the liver and enhances general health and well-being, particularly in treating sinus infections and eye diseases.
June Birthstones – Pearl, Moonstone, and Alexandrite
June features three birthstones, each stunning in its own right. Each of the three June birthstones has its unique significance.
The pearl is associated with love, success, and happiness, as well as the values of humility, chastity, and purity, making it a favorite choice for women on their wedding day.
Alexandrite has no historical significance. Some individuals, however, correlate it with increased insight and satisfaction. Natural alexandrites, without a doubt, fetch extraordinarily high prices per carat.
While:
Moonstone is associated with inner peace, cyclical transformation, and a link to the feminine. It represents light and optimism and urges us to welcome fresh beginnings.
July Birthstone – Ruby
Rubies have long been seen as a stone of protection, warding off evil and bestowing good fortune on people wearing them. Named for the Roman goddess of love and beauty, Ruby derives from the Latin word for red, Rubeus.
Because of its striking resemblance to red blood, many ancient societies maintained the belief that rubies were endowed with regenerative properties. Rubies were formerly considered talismans of health, riches, enlightenment, and romantic success among Europe's nobility and upper classes. Recently, they've risen to the ranks of the most desirable gemstones.
August Birthstones – Peridot and Spinel
August is characterized by two magnificent gemstones, peridot, and spinel. Peridot is highly sought after because of its unique lime green sheen when illuminated. On the other hand, spinel may be found in many elegant hues.
In ancient times, peridot was worn as a sign of power and protection against evil, spells, and nightmares. Stones like this, carried to the surface by volcanoes, were considered by ancient Hawaiians to be the goddess Pele's tears. Spinel is an increasingly popular alternative birthstone for August.
September Birthstone – Sapphire
The month of September's birthstone is the sapphire. Sapphires are renowned as the emblem of the sky, the protector of innocence, the bestower of truth and good health, and the keeper of virginity. Similarly to ruby, it is a form of the mineral corundum.
Sapphires may be found in a broad range of hues; however, blue is most often associated with them. This classic and contemporary September birthstone is available in every shade to save red.
Sapphires have been worn for centuries as a symbol of purity, wisdom, faith, devotion, and calm. There is a common belief that sapphires can stop excessive bleeding and even heal blood diseases.
October Birthstones – Tourmaline and Opal
Tourmaline and Opal are both birthstones for October. Opals and tourmalines are both beautiful gemstones with a history of being associated with healing, rejuvenation, and the renewal of youthful optimism, purity, and originality. There is a correlation between wearing opals and improved memory and a stronger drive to live. Tourmaline has been shown to reduce anxiety and boost concentration.
Opal is rare among gems having a color like no other. It exhibits an assortment of dazzling tiny rainbow effects with bursts of blue, green, and red color that reflect the light nicely. In contrast, Tourmaline's paint is often indicative of its country of origin.
November Birthstones– Citrine and Topaz
Citrine and topaz are the birthstones for November. Citrine is connected with cheerfulness and happiness, which is understandable considering its bright hue. It is often utilized to aid in the manifestation of financial prosperity and opportunity. It may also stimulate the solar plexus chakra, which aids in developing confidence and personal strength.
Topaz, on the other hand, represents love and devotion. It is said to boost the wearer's strength and intelligence.
December Birthstones – Zircon, Tanzanite, and Turquoise
While opaque turquoises are the traditional December birthstones, the recent move to transparent gems has made tanzanite and blue zircon the modern alternatives.
Zircon bestows knowledge, honor, and wealth to persons born in December. Turquoise is also associated with December, giving its wearer pleasure and good fortune. Since turquoise can change colors, it was formerly thought to be a warning sign of illness or impending peril for the wearer. Tanzanite promotes health and avoids headaches. All of the December birthstones have medicinal effects.
Conclusion
That concludes the discussion of the various kinds of birthstones. Anyone may take advantage of their energy with them. However, If you don't think these natural birthstones have special powers, you may still wear them as simple jewelry.
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