Centuries before jewelers were thinking about gems commercially,
astrologers were ascribing heavenly associations to them, Hindus
were connecting them to the energy centers of the body. The origin
of the birthstone--denoting a specific gem to each month of the
year--dates back to at least the first century. There is speculation
that the twelve stones in the breastplate of the Jewish high priest
may have had some bearing on the concept. Interpreters of the
Bible's Book of Revelations, during the eighth and ninth centuries,
began to ascribe to each of those gems attributes of the 12 apostles.
Over the years, there have been many variations to the list
of birthstones.
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Amethyst
The birthstone for February is amethyst.
It is purple and is a very popular affordable gemstone.
The word amethyst
comes from the Greek word amethystos, meaning ‘not
intoxicated’. It was believed that it had an unusual
magical power to prevent drunkenness. It has a Mohs’
hardness of 7.  |
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Aquamarine
The birthstone for March is aquamarine meaning sea water
in Latin.
Its color can range from light to dark blue with a hint
of green. They are a symbol of happiness. It is believed
to calm the body, mind, and spirit. Be careful because aquamarines
are a member of the beryl family and are somewhat brittle
and may crack or chip if hit hard. They have a Mohs’
hardness of 7.5-8. |
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Blue Topaz
An alternate birthstone for December along with
Tanzanite..
Topaz
received its name from the Sanskrit word
meaning “fire”.
It is found in colors ranging from pale
yellow to orange and even red. It was believed that topaz
would promote
calm and faithfulness and cure insomnia.
It has a Mohs’ hardness
of 8.
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Blue Zircon
the Birthstone for December is Blue Zircon.
Most people think of the stone as blue it also comes in
yellow, brown, red, violet and green. It has a high refractive
index and strong dispersion making zircon have intense fire
and great brilliance. Zircons are a brittle stone making
edges susceptible to chipping. It has a Mohs’ hardness
of 6.5-7.5.
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Citrine
The birthstone for November is citrine.
It is a pale yellow to golden amber in color. It is a cheerful
gem. Its powers are said to bring cheerfulness in tough
times and offer hope. Legend has it that citrine protects
against evil thoughts and snake venom. Citrine like amethyst
is from the quartz family. It has a Mohs’ hardness
of 7. |
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Diamond
The birthstone for April is diamond. |
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Emerald
The birthstone for May is emerald.
They range in color from a dark leaf green to a pale sea
green. Because of the striking and intense color emeralds
in ancient times were one of the most sought-after and prized
gems. People believed it would sharpen wits, bring wealth,
and protect against hazards on long journeys. They are also
a member of the beryl family and are fragile. They have
a Mohs’ hardness of 7.5-8. |
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Garnet
The birthstone for January is garnet.
It comes in a variety of colors but most people think of
garnet as a red-brown color. Legend states that wearing
garnet will promote long-lasting love and offer protection
in health and travel. It has a Mohs’ hardness of 6.5-7.5.
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Pearl
The birthstone for June is pearl.
They can range in color from white, pink, black, blue, green,
silver, cream, and golden-colored. Pearls come in many sizes
and shapes. Pearls are formed by saltwater oysters and freshwater
muscles. Even though they have a Mohs’ hardness of
2.5-4.5 it is difficult to crush a pearl. |
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Peridot
The birthstone for August is peridot.
Its color can range from line to olive green. It is believed
that it could drive away evil spirits. In the Middle Ages
peridot was used for inspiration and to promote friendship.
Peridot has a Mohs’ hardness of 6.5-7. |
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Ruby
The birthstone for July is ruby.
They come in various shades of red. Along with sapphire
and emerald ruby is one of the most prized colored gems
available. For centuries it has been a symbol of love and
immortality. It was believed that rubies were capable of
curing illness and reconciling lovers’ quarrels. They
have a Mohs’ hardness of 9. |
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Sapphire
The birthstone for September is sapphire.
Its name comes from the Greek work for blue, but they come
in almost every color of the rainbow except red. Sapphires
symbolize truth, constancy, and sincerity. Sapphires are
the second hardest gem after a diamond with a Mohs’
hardness of 9. |
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Tourmaline
The birthstone for October (along with opal)
is tourmaline.
There are several popular types of tourmaline, including
pink, green, orange, yellow, red, black, brown, multi-colored,
and colorless. Legend states that tourmaline aids against
misfortune and protects travelers from falls. It has a Mohs’
hardness of 7-7.5. |
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Tanzanite
A new alternate birthstone for December is tanzanite.
It is a transparent dark blue to violet gemstone that exhibits
a “color shift” from light blue in daylight
to violet in incandescent light. It sometimes has flashes
of yellow, red, green, or orange. Tanzanite is found in
Africa near Mt. Kilimanjaro. It is brittle and heat sensitive.
Tanzanite has a Mohs’ hardness of 6.5-7. |
