Mohs Hardness of Birthstones
| Month | Gemstone | Mohs Hardness | Durability |
| January | Garnet | 6.5 to 7.5 | Good |
| February | Amethyst | 7 | Good |
| March | Aquamarine Bloodstone | 7.5 to 8 6.5 to 7 | Very Good Good |
| April | Diamond | 10 | Excellent |
| Month | 15th–20th century | U.S. (1912) |
|---|---|---|
| January | garnet | garnet |
| February | amethyst, hyacinth, pearl | amethyst |
| March | bloodstone, jasper | bloodstone, aquamarine |
| April | diamond, sapphire | diamond |
What are the 12 birthstones in order?
What are the 12 birthstones in order? Monthly Birthstones List based on the 2016 US Chart. January– Garnet. February– Amethyst. March– Aquamarine, Bloodstone. April– Diamond. May– Emerald. June– Pearl, Moonstone, Alexandrite. July– Ruby.
What is the traditional birthstone?
Peridot is a traditional birthstone for the month of August. It has a yellowish green color and is one of the world's most popular and affordable green gems. Shoppers can expect to find it in almost every jewelry store. Peridot is the gem variety of a mineral group known as olivine.
How did birthstones originate?
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What are the birthstones and their meaning?
Unlike the ups and downs of horoscopes, birthstones are said to reflect only the positive aspects of your personality. They strengthen your best characteristics and highlight your most charming traits. Each of these glimmering gemstones holds special messages for the lucky wearer. These messages come from history and lore, and differ throughout time and culture.
What were the original birthstones?
According to first-century translations, the first row contained carnelian, chrysolite, and beryl. The second row contained jacinth, agate, and amethyst, and the third row contained topaz, onyx, and jasper.
What are the original birthstone colors?
Birthstones by MonthJanuary – Garnet. The January birthstone, garnet, is thought to keep the wearer safe during travel. ... February – Amethyst. ... March – Aquamarine, Bloodstone. ... April – Diamond. ... May – Emerald. ... June – Pearl. ... July – Ruby. ... August – Peridot.More items...
What is the oldest birthstone?
Zircon Birthstone History and Meaning Although Zircon isn't as well-known as some other gems, this stone is a celebrity among geologists. The oldest rock ever discovered was a zircon found in Australia dating 4.4 billion years, nearly as old as the planet itself (the oldest diamonds are 3.3 billion years old).
When did birthstones change?
It has changed only a few times over the last century. According to JA, it updated the list in 1952 to add alexandrite (June), citrine (November), tourmaline (October) and zircon (December) as birthstones, and again in 2002, when tanzanite became a birthstone for December.
Do all months have 2 birthstones?
Traditionally each month is associated with one birthstone but you will find some months have multiple birthstones. This fact does create some confusion but the multiple options for some months was created in order to allow more affordable options in addition to the traditional more expensive stones.
Why does June have 3 birthstones?
Why does June have 3 birthstones? The main reason why some months have multiple birthstones is because various ancient stones have become too rare, so it is less likely for them to be available on the market and to satisfy consumer needs.
What is my mystical birthstone?
Birthstones by MonthMonth of BirthModern Birthstone(s)Mystical BirthstoneSeptemberSapphireAgateOctoberOpal, TourmalineJasperNovemberTopaz, CitrinePearlDecemberTurquoise, Blue TopazOnyx8 more rows
How were birthstones chosen?
Experts believe that birthstones can be traced back to the Bible. In Exodus 28, Moses sets forth directions for making special garments for Aaron, the High Priest of the Hebrews. Specifically, the breastplate was to contain twelve precious gemstones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel.
What is the birthstone for all 12 months?
Birthstones. What are the birthstones by month? January is garnet, February is amethyst, March is aquamarine, April is diamond, May is emerald, June is alexandrite, July is ruby, August is peridot, September is sapphire, October is tourmaline, November is topaz, December is blue topaz.
What does the Bible say about birthstones?
Some experts believe that birthstones can be traced back to the Bible. In Exodus 28, Moses sets forth directions for making special garments for Aaron, the High Priest of the Hebrews. Specifically, the breastplate was to contain twelve precious gemstones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel.
Who decided what birthstones are?
The modern birthstone list was formulated by an organization known as 'The Jewelers of America' in 1912. Despite its controversy and being criticized for moving and dropping some of the original gems, today it is most often seen as the definitive chart of astrological birthstones.
Why are there 2 birthstones for October?
In October's case, the opal was seen by many to be too feminine in appearance and there were questions about its durability. So the association decided to add tourmaline to the mix. More recently, it was decided that the October birthstones would be opal and pink tourmaline, specifically.
What is the birthstone of March?
Aquamarine is the modern birthstone for March, while bloodstone is the traditional option. However, aquamarine is more well-known to consumers today and appears more frequently in jewelry.
What is the color of amethyst?
Amethyst is crystalline quartz in colors ranging from pale lilac to deep reddish purple. It has a relatively high hardness of 7, which means it’s very scratch resistant. The February birthstone makes a fine gem for any kind of jewelry.
What is a mother's ring?
Presumably, this made it easier for jewelers to create “mother’s rings,” which feature the birthstones of a woman’s children, in a manner more suited to modern tastes.
What is aquamarine jewelry?
View All Aquamarine Jewelry →. Named after the color of seawater, aquamarine is the blue to blue-green member of the beryl family. Readily available and moderately priced, the March birthstone makes an excellent jewelry stone. Color: Blue to blue-green. Crystallography: Hexagonal.
How much does a ruby cost?
Fine-quality rubies are some of the most expensive gemstones, with record prices over $1,000,000 per carat.
What is the most popular ring stone?
Diamond is the most popular ring stone choice in the world. These gems are prized for their classic beauty and clarity, and diamond jewelry has become a status symbol. Color: Colorless, gray, shades of yellow, brown, pink, green, orange, lavender, blue, black; rarely red.
What color is the January birthstone?
It’s not a single species but rather consists of several species and varieties. Color: Mostly red or deep red. Rarer varieties can be lighter red and nearly any other color.
Where Did The Idea of Birthstones Come From?
One popular belief dates back to the breastplate of Aaron described in the book of Exodus as being encrusted with twelve stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel.
Current Official Birthstone List
Here is the current official birthstone list as it stands in 2019. See more lists we have compiled for you below under Two Lists Are Better Than One, including the modern and the traditional lists.
The Conception of Our Current Birthstone List
As you may have noticed, there can be a variance in the gems listed as birthstones for each month. For example, you’ll find December’s birthstone could be turquoise, tanzanite, blue zircon, lapis or blue topaz. Since ancient times, during the origin of birthstones, colors have been highly symbolic and significant.
Birthstone Jewelry
No matter the origin of birthstones, many people like to wear jewelry that bears their birthstones. High school and college students wear them in their class rings. Plus, it’s common for mothers to wear necklaces or rings featuring the birthstones of all their children or to receive baby “bump” gifts incorporating the baby’s birthstone.
What is the birthstone of August?
In 2016, the American Gem Trade Association and Jewelers of America added spinel as an additional birthstone for August. Britain's National Association of Goldsmiths created their own standardized list of birthstones in 1937.
How many birthstones do you wear a month?
Practice became to keep twelve stones and wear one a month. The custom of wearing a single birthstone is only a few centuries old, though modern authorities differ on dates. Kunz places the custom in eighteenth century Poland, while the Gemological Institute of America starts it in Germany in the 1560s.
What is the meaning of birthstone?
For the magic stone which is supposed to make birth easier, see Aetites. A birthstone is a gemstone that represents a person's period of birth like the zodiac sign. Birthstones are often worn as jewelry or as a pendant necklace.
What are gemstones associated with?
Eastern cultures recognize a similar range of gemstones associated with birth, though rather than associating a gem with a birth month, gemstones are associated with celestial bodies, and astrology is employed to determine the gemstones most closely associated with and beneficial to a particular individual. For example, in Hinduism there are nine gemstones associated with the Navagraha (celestial forces including the planets, the sun, and the moon), known in Sanskrit as Navaratna (nine gems). At birth, an astrological chart is calculated, and certain stones are recommended to be worn on the body to ward off potential problems based on the place of these forces in the sky at the exact place and time of birth.
What is the significance of the twelve stones in Aaron's breastplate?
Western custom. The first century Jewish historian Josephus believed there was a connection between the twelve stones in Aaron's breastplate (signifying the tribes of Israel, as described in the Book of Exodus ), the twelve months of the year, and the twelve signs of the zodiac. Translations and interpretations of the passage in Exodus regarding ...
Where is the high priest's breastplate?
Recreation of the high priest's breastplate in front of the central Sephardic synagogue in Ramat Gan, Israel. Modern lists of birthstones have little to do with either the breastplate or the Foundation Stones of Christianity.
Who saw the breastplate of the second temple?
George Frederick Kunz argues that Josephus saw the breastplate of the Second Temple, not the one described in Exodus. St. Jerome, referencing Josephus, said the Foundation Stones of the New Jerusalem ( Revelation 21:19–20) would be appropriate for Christians to use.
What is the difference between bloodstone and jasper?
Bloodstone is used for healing of the spleen, kidneys, liver, blood purification and improving the immune system. Its power can be used for emotional support during a hard time. Jasper is a gemstone of grounding and stability that is associated with providing security , strength , and comfort.
What are birthstones associated with?
With the Bible story of Exodus and mention of the gemstones that were on Aaron’s ceremonial breastplate, crystals become more popular. At first, those crystals represented Israel tribes but over time this was translated into months of the year.
What is the May birthstone?
Agate healing properties is already mentioned as traditional May birthstone. You may also read more about this stone by checking my article about Agate Healing Properties and benefits. Turquoise is one of the oldest stones used throughout history by warriors, kings, shamans, and healers as a stone of protection.
What is the birthstone of St Valentine?
Amethyst is traditional February birthstone associated with St Valentine. If you decide to wear this gemstone it will bring into your life love, passion, insight, perception, and self-knowledge. Amethyst comes in different shades of purple color.
What is turquoise crystal used for?
Turquoise is used for healing depression, panic attacks, exhaustion, improves the immune system, migraines, headache, eye and neck problems. It is associated with Throat chakra. Cat’s Eye is a crystal that is used for enhancing awareness, stimulates intuition and dispels negative energy from the aura.
What is the difference between agate and emerald?
It attracts love, promotes self-esteem, confidence, creativity, focus, and mental activity. Emerald is a crystal that combats aging, revitalizes heart, lungs, and kidneys. Agate is a Quartz family crystal that comes in every imagined color, with stripes, patterns, and bands.
What is the best crystal for reviving passion?
May - Emerald, Agate. Emerald is a green gemstone that is considered as the crystal of love, vision, intuition, wisdom, truth, associated with Heart chakra and eyes. It is one of the best crystals for reviving the passion for a significant person or job.
What are the birthstones in the Bible?
The gems were set in four rows of three: Sardius, topaz and carbuncle; emerald, sapphire and diamond; ligure, agate and amethyst; and beryl, onyx and jasper.
How many gemstones are there in the zodiac?
Based on this astrological model, one ought to own a collection of the 12 different gemstones assigned to the signs of the zodiac and wear the appropriate gem during the ascendancy of the corresponding sign.
When did the birthstones start being worn?
The idea of each person always wearing a gemstone corresponding to the month of their birth is a distinctly modern idea that scholars trace to 18th century Poland, with the arrival of Jewish gem traders to the region. Yet the modern list of birthstones was not defined until 1912, by the National Association of Jewelers (Jewelers of America) ...
What are the gemstones in the breastplate?
The gems were set in four rows of three: Sardius, topaz and carbuncle; emerald, sapphire and diamond; ligure, agate and amethyst; and beryl, onyx and jasper.
Is Tanzanite a birthstone?
Tanzanite - December's Modern Birthstone. In February 2006, TanzaniteOne Ltd., the aspiring tanzanite cartel, announced a marketing strategy to make tanzanite a birthstone. TanzaniteOne wasn't content for tanzanite to be merely another birthstone.
What is a traditional birthstone?
Traditional birthstones are the birthstones that were used before 1912, when the modern system of birthstones was introduced. These birthstones are a great alternative if you dislike your modern birthstone or when they are simply too expensive.
Why do people not like their birthstones?
Others that do not like their own birthstones, because of their look or price, will wear another gemstone with the same color. Most people however will just wear the gemstone they enjoy most. Not paying attention at all to birthstone colors, birthstone signs, etc.
What is lucky about birthstones?
Birthstones are lucky if they are aligned with your Vedic or zodiac chart. They might also be lucky if you feel a momentary connection to a specific stone. While the latter might be fleeting, it’s important to pay attention to the stones that you feel are aligned with you.
What does amethyst mean?
The word amethyst comes from “amethystos,” a Greek word meaning “not drunk.”. These beautiful stones can protect us, keep us calm, and guide us when we’re faced with stressful situations and other difficulties. Amethysts can encourage us to have more self-control and be more proactive in our love relationships.
What does aquamarine symbolize?
Aquamarine is a symbol of perception, hope, and self-expression.
What is amethyst crystal used for?
Amethyst crystal clusters are used to remove negative charges from the air and add life-force to a variety of environments. Amethyst clusters can also be placed in sunny windows which can magnify the healing properties of the stone. heal negativity in the home.
Why do we wear birthstones?
By wearing some of them for specific purposes, you can protect yourself from the negative influences that were found in the heavens at the time and place of your birth month. This is why birthstones can be extremely valuable to us.
Why are pearls considered to be the only gems born from a conscious, nurturing process?
This is why pearls are considered to be the only gems born from a conscious, nurturing process, as their origin is a result of a living-Being choosing to self-nurture. It’s no surprise why pearls have a centuries-long reputation for their healing properties, especially in Asia and India.
What are the attributes of a diamond?
Attributes: Eternal Love, Romance, Lightning, Divine Power, Endurance, Courage, Purity, Innocence, Amplify, Eternity, Clear. In Sanskrit, the diamond is called “vajra,” which also means lightning; in Hindu mythology, vajra was the weapon of Indra, the king of gods.
