History of Birthstones 

Birthstone symbolism is an ancient tradition that can be traced back to the Book of Exodus in the Bible. Aaron, the high priest of the Israelites, was said to have worn a breastplate with 12 different stones to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. The twelve original gems were said to be: 

1. Sardius 
2. Topaz 
3. Carbuncle 
4. Emerald 
5. Sapphire 
6. Diamond 
7. Ligure 
8. Agate 
9. Amethyst 
10. Beryl 
11. Onyx 
12. Jasper 

While it cannot be known with certainty if these were the stones of Aaron's breastplate (since they were identified by color and not chemical composition), they were the beginnings of a twelve-stone tradition that carried into the following centuries. In the 5th century AD, scholar St. Jerome connected these twelve stones to the zodiac stones. Though the breastplate of Aaron was not explicitly linked to the zodiac, similar stones were present and were believed to influence the astrological traditions. The zodiac stones were also considered to provide different strengths to the wearer, which may have been why Aaron and other high priests of Israel often wore the identical 12 gemstones on their breastplates. 

 In modern history, the 12 identified birthstones used today can be traced back to 1912, when the U.S. National Association of Jewelers published a definitive list of birthstones used for commercial purposes. While it is said that Polish and Jewish jewel merchants also influenced this final list of gemstones, all of the ancient traditions played a hand in the current accepted list of birthstones. This list has remained relatively unchanged since the early 20th century. 

Birthstones by Month

Today, birthstones are used as tokens of love, gratitude, and celebration on one's birthday. While they are a traditional birthday gift, these specific stones are great for any holiday or special occasion as they represent who the person is and what makes them unique. The 12 modern birthstones are: 

Garnet for January 

Garnet is a popular gemstone known for its rich red color and beautiful sparkle. The color is often symbolic of love and passion and helps the wearer to feel more attractive and stronger. This makes it an excellent gift for anniversaries as well as birthdays. 

Garnet revitalizes, purifies, and balances energy. It inspires love and devotion. Garnet is also said to strengthen the immune system and boost metabolism. It activates the survival instinct, bringing courage and hope. January's birthstone is for the Zodiac signs Capricorn and Aquarius. Garnet jewelry is given on the 2nd wedding anniversary. It is associated with purity, truth, faithfulness, and friendship. 

Amethyst for February 

The name amethyst comes from the Greek word "amethystos," which roughly translates to "intoxication." It is believed that the amethyst is connected to the idea of sobriety, not only to protect one from physical drunkenness but from internal struggles of the mind. It can also be a stone representing passion and intoxication in love, making it a great Valentine's Day gift. 

Aquamarine for March 

Not many months have more than one birthstone, but those born in March can enjoy their selection of either aquamarine (modern) or bloodstone (traditional) for their preferred birthstone. Aquamarine is a healing and heart-opening stone, while bloodstone is a grounding stone that stabilizes moods and turmoil in one's life. 

Aquamarine is the birthstone for the Zodiac signs of Pisces and Aries. It is the traditional wedding gift for a 19th anniversary. Aquamarine symbolizes faithfulness, courage, and friendship. 

These breath-taking sea blue hues are the perfect way to accent everyday outfits and compliment any skin tone. 

Diamond for April 

Diamonds aren't just a girl's best friend. They are also one of the most common gemstones in modern jewelry making and are the lucky birthstones of those born in April. Diamond directly translates to "indestructible," which can help someone feel strong through challenging times or remind them of how resilient they are. Diamonds also make great accents for other birthstone jewelry pieces. 

Lab created and eco-friendly or mined from the Earth—you have a choice of quality diamonds. 

Emerald for May 

Emeralds are some of the rarest gems on Earth. With deep rich green shades, emeralds stand for fidelity, rebirth, good fortune, and foresight. Try emeralds for a look that's both lush and luxurious. 

Emeralds are commonly believed to aid in fertility. They ensure physical, emotional & mental equilibrium. Emerald gemstones have been used to treat disorders of the heart, lungs, spine & muscular system. Whether set in silver or gold, it’s a wonderful choice for everyday wear.

Pearl for June 

June boasts a plethora of birthstones, offering a diverse range for gift shoppers. The classic pearl signifies deep wisdom, whereas the contemporary Alexandrite embodies love, romance, and the inherent goodness of women. With diamond accents, Alexandrite makes for an ideal focal point. Additionally, pearls are timeless accessories suitable for any event, transcending beyond birthdays. 

Cultured pearls come in white, black, and every shade in between. Some cultured pearls also have a subtle iridescence, called "orient." This shimmering effect creates a rainbow of colors on the pearl's surface. 

Ruby for July 

With their bright and succulent red tones, rubies are cherished as symbols of love, wisdom, integrity, devotion, and happiness. In addition, the ruby is a rare and expensive birthstone, which makes its gifting even more meaningful. 

Rubies are believed to open one's heart and heal emotional and spiritual wounds. Wearing ruby jewelry promotes positive dreams and stimulates the pineal gland. This birthstone fights exhaustion and lethargy and imparts potency and vigor. 

Peridot for August 

Cherished for their light, crisp green color, peridot gemstones represent power, youthfulness, and good fortune. Wear peridot to add a fresh and playful color to your outfit. Spinel—another modern birthstone for August—is a revitalizing stone that lifts the spirits and restores energy. Their complementary colors make these a perfect pairing for August birthday jewelry. 

August's birthstone is a symbol of fame, dignity, and protection. Often called the evening emerald, the shimmering, pale green peridot is commonly associated with spirituality and self-expression. 

Sapphire for September 

September's birthstone is believed to protect from evil and sickness. Considered the "stone of wisdom." It liberates mental tension and depression, brings serenity and peace of mind, and stimulates concentration. 

While they are known for their true blue hue, this gemstone also dazzles in shades of pink, yellow, green, and orange. Sapphires come in every color of the rainbow except red, and are one of the hardest stones on the hardness scale. 

Opal for October 

October's traditional stone and famous for its milky white base and fiery flecks of color, opals represent hope and good fortune. Many different kinds of opal are used for birthstones, but Australian and Ethiopian opals typically have the most brilliant colors. Tourmaline (October's modern birthstone), too, has many colors, likening it to the rainbow. It is often associated with clarity, intelligence, and creativity. 

Citrine for November 

The name is derived from the Latin ‘citrina’ which means ‘yellow’ and is also the origin of the word "citron." Related to the French word citron meaning lemon, it has been called the "sun stone" and is thought to be capable of holding sunlight. 

Citrine energizes and cleanses. November's birthstone is believed to attract wealth, prosperity, and success, boost self-confidence, stimulate the brain, strengthen the intellect, and promote creativity. The bright yellow also brings joy to the wearer. 

Blue Topaz for December 

December also has several different stones associated with it. Believed to come from the Sanskrit word "tapas" meaning fire, and the Greek word "topazion", is an old name for an island in the Red Sea. It is often associated with “seek”. This often makes Topaz an excellent stone for the spiritual traveler or someone seeking a new path in life. 

Turquoise (traditional) is connected to the throat chakra and is considered a calming stone. A relatively new addition to the December list, tanzanite (also modern) is associated with a psychic and spiritual connection.