The Definitive Guide to Birthstones

Humans have always had a "desire" to acquire and wear sacred or exceptional minerals, which has prompted us to collect them. Perhaps this is why having our birth month symbolized by a beautiful natural mineral is so appealing.

Where Did the Idea of Birthstones Come From?

Birthstones are thought to have originated from Aaron's Breast Plate, which included twelve jewels, each representing one of Israel's twelve tribes. Moses' brother, Aaron, was a prophet. The breastplate was a religious and ceremonial garment worn by the Israelites' High Priest. Josephus, a Jewish historian, thought there was a link between these twelve stones, the twelve months of the year, and the twelve zodiac signs.

January - Garnet

Because the crystals mimic the red color of the pomegranate fruit, garnet is derived from the Latin word 'garantum,' which means "seed." The deep red colored Garnet is traditionally known as the January birthstone, but nowadays, a wide range of colors, from this deep red to the famous intense green of Kenya's Tsavorite and the gorgeous "sunburned" Malaia Garnet from Tanzania, as well as the unique purple red of Rhodolite and the majestic, rare Color Change Garnet, are hugely popular.

Garnet has become associated with love, passionate passion, sensuality, and intimacy. It represents everlasting friendship, trust, loyalty, and enduring feelings.

February - Amethyst

Amethyst is a member of the quartz family that occurs in geodes and clusters as terminated crystals of various sizes. It can be found all over the world and receives its beautiful color from iron or manganese compounds impurities. Heat is applied to amethyst on a regular basis to bring out a deeper purple tint. The color of amethyst can range from a pale violet/mauve to a deep purple.

It's currently recognized as the stone of meditation, calm, courage, inner power, and mental clarity. Their medicinal properties include working as a natural stress reliever and drawing positive energy while eliminating negative emotions from your body. They are claimed to aid in the strengthening of the immune system as well as the healing of any internal imbalances.

March - Aquamarine

Aquamarine is derived from the Latin words "Aqua" which means "water" and "Marina" which means "sea." Aquamarine is a blue Beryl variation that comes in terminated crystals (six-sided crystals). Because of its lovely mild blue-green tones, it's a popular stone.

It is still said to protect those who travel near or on the water nowadays. It is supposed to be relaxing, releasing fear, and providing clarity because of its gorgeous tranquil color. Marriage bliss, courage, love, hope, and good health are all thought to be enhanced by this stone.

April - Diamond

Diamond is regarded to be the world's hardest natural mineral; it's a form of pure carbon with a billion-year history. Natural diamond crystals are produced in the earth's crust over billions of years at extremely high temperatures and pressures, then brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions. Diamond is derived from the Greek word "unbreakable," and it has an extremely high melting point.

The ideal gift for a loved one and eternal affection is now known as a "girl's best friend." They represent romance and bravery, as well as clarity, equilibrium, and inner power.

May - Emerald

Emerald is a Beryl variation, and it is arguably the most well-known. Chromium and vanadium give it its lovely green color, and it's commonly found in the form of shale. Colombia is home to the world's most famous Emeralds.

The emblem of rebirth and hope is now well recognized. Good luck, discernment, health, and youth are said to be bestowed upon those who wear them. To encourage friendship, loyalty, wisdom, and patience. Emerald has long been thought to have mystical characteristics that can help keep disease at bay.

June - Pearl

Natural and organic, generated inside a certain mollusk species in either fresh or saltwater. When a sand particle or rock fragment becomes caught in the shell, it irritates the mollusk inside. To prevent further irritation, the mollusk wraps the sand particle with multiple layers of shell material. The most highly prized pearls are those that have developed within the mollusk's tissue rather than in the shell and are pear or spherical in shape. The color of the Pearl is determined by environmental factors as well as the mollusk type.

Pearls have been used as ornamentation for millennia; early Chinese mythology claimed that pearls fell from the sky as dragons fought, and ancient stories claimed that they were the tears of the gods. Wearing these, according to the Ancient Greeks, would ensure marriage happiness.
They're now popular for their relaxing powers and purity, and they're thought to bring love, protection, and good fortune. It is believed that through experience, wisdom will be gained and love will be strengthened.

July - Ruby

Ruby is one of the most costly minerals, with the most valuable per-carat price of any colored gemstone. It is the gem variety corundum, like Sapphire, and is the second hardest stone after diamond. Ruby is the color of red corundum, while Sapphire is the color of all other colors. Natural Rubies have a characteristic called "silk" that distinguishes them from synthetic stones. Heat is applied to rubies on a regular basis to increase their color.

The main source of beautiful, rare pieces producing the famed "pigeon's blood" Rubies was the Mogok Valley in Burma. Thailand is another well-known source of beautiful rubies, and both Thailand and Burma consider rubies to be their national stone. East Africa is another major source of ruby resources.

Ruby has long been associated with love and is thought to improve fidelity, happiness, and loyalty. It is claimed to excite the senses, promote imagination, and ensure health, riches, and wisdom by stirring the blood and stimulating the heart.

August - Peridot

Peridot is a type of olivine, a mineral comprised of magnesium iron silicates that is found deep in peridotite rock from the earth's upper mantle and transported to the surface during volcanic eruptions. It is one of the earliest known gemstones. Meteorites have been found with Peridot. It gets its name from the Arabic word faridat, which means jewel, and it's one of the few gemstones with a limited color spectrum. Because it was formerly difficult to precisely identify gemstones, peridot was once known as Chrysolite, a term used for several other colors of topaz.

Long thought to promote camaraderie, clear the mind of envious thoughts, and protect the wearer from harm. It's said to have magical and healing properties, as well as the ability to give the wearer power and encourage riches and prosperity.

September - Sapphire

Sapphire, like Ruby, is a kind of corundum, and while blue Sapphires have traditionally been connected with September's birthstone, any of the other beautiful colors, known as Fancy Sapphires, are now being employed. The Padparadscha Sapphire, a rare and expensive pinkish orange called after the lotus blossom, and the magnificent natural Yellow Sapphires from East Africa are two examples.

The stone of knowledge and prophecy, spiritual insight, and good fortune is today said to be the stone of wisdom and prophecy, spiritual insight, and good fortune. Love and dedication, truth, sincerity, and faithfulness are all represented by this stone.

October - Opal

The name Opallos comes from the Greek word opals, which means "to see a shift (in color)," and refers to the stone's unusual display of flashing colors as you move it around (play-of-color.)

Opal is a hydrated form of silica that originated thousands of years ago when rainwater carrying dissolved silica became trapped in rock fractures. It then evaporates, leaving only silica behind, which hardens and creates Opals by natural forces of shaping and pressure. Opals are amorphous, which means they don't have a crystal structure and can have up to 20% water trapped within them.

Opal has long been associated with love, passion, and desire; it heightens one's emotional state while also releasing inhibitions and acting as an emotional stabilizer. It is said to bring out faithfulness and loyalty.

November - Topaz

Orange Topaz is the traditional November birthstone, although it comes in a variety of colors and hues, just like many other jewels. Topaz is the hardest of the silicate minerals and is made up of aluminum silicate. It's pleochroic, which means it can display many colors in different directions.

It has long been seen to be one of the most potent healing gemstones, as it is known to help balance emotions and defend against greed. It's also a symbol of affection, love, and friendship.

December - Tanzanite

Tanzanite is a mineral that belongs to the Zoisite family and appears in a wide spectrum of blues and violets. It was discovered by a local Maasai tribesman in the Merelani Hills of Tanzania in 1967 and has yet to be discovered anywhere else in the globe. Tanzanite was the first gem to be named to the birthstone list in nearly 100 years when it was appointed the birthstone for December in 2002. It was called after the country of its discovery by Tiffany & Co.

There isn't much history or lore surrounding Tanzanite because it was very recently found, however it is currently known for its numerous therapeutic powers. They are claimed to be extremely beneficial in all stress-related ailments, as they have the ability to change negative energy into positive ones and to fight fear and worry. They're considered to be very mystical stones that can connect you with old wisdom, they're good for meditation since they can boost spiritual awareness, and they're also said to be very creative stones.