A Complete Guide To Birthstone Gems

Birthstones are also symbolic across cultures and can signify different moments or character traits in someone's life. Some are symbols of wisdom and love, while others are tokens of compassion and gratitude. You don't have to limit yourself to the birthstone of your birthday month either. Wearing the birthstones of loved ones can allow you to carry them with you everywhere they go.

If you are thinking of purchasing birthstone jewelry for yourself or a loved one, read this guide to learn everything you need to know about their significance and care. Birthstones are some of the most precious jewelry pieces you can give. By learning more about your birthstone, you can feel more connected to what your stone represents about you.

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:

While it cannot be known for sure 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 of Every 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 generally 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.
	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.
	Diamond for April Diamonds aren't just a girls' best friend. They are also one of the most common gemstones in modern jewelry making and are the lucky birthstone of those born in April. Diamond directly translates to "indestructible," which can help someone feel strong through challenging times or remind them of how tough they are. Diamonds also make great accents for other birthstone jewelry pieces.
	Emerald for May Emeralds are some of the rarest gems on Earth. With deeply rich green shades, emeralds stand for fidelity, rebirth, good fortune, and foresight. Try emeralds for a look that's both lush and luxurious.
	Pearl for June June has several birthstones which provide great variety for those shopping for loved ones. Pearl, the traditional birthstone, symbolizes inner wisdom, while alexandrite (modern) symbolize love, romance, and the inner goodness within every woman. Alexandrite with optional diamond accents is a perfect centerpiece selection. Pearls are also a simple staple piece of jewelry that works for any occasion, not just birthdays!
	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.
	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.
	Sapphire for September Sapphire's brilliant color is often likened to the cosmos, especially in darker shades of cerulean and navy. It is said to be a healing and clarifying stone, as well as a precious one.
	Opal for October October's traditional stone and famous for their 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 With color often compared to the sun or honey, citrines are treasured symbols of health, healing, clarity, and success. Dress in citrines for a style that's bright and cheerful.
	Blue Topaz for December December also has several different stones associated with it. Topaz (modern) comes from the word "topazos," which means "to 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 (aslo modern) is associated with a psychic and spiritual connection.

Why Your Birthstone Is Important

Through their ancient origins, birthstones have developed significant meaning at the personal level and the spiritual level. Birthstones are said to protect the wearer from specific obstacles they are likely to face based on their astrology and can help them discover what they need to cultivate in their lives for greater happiness.

Those who use astrology to learn about themselves, whether for fun or meaningful insight, often use the astrological birthstones to help them heal from past hurts or help guide them on their spiritual journey. The list of Vedic birthstones specifically correlates to your astrological sign instead of your birth month and are as follows:

Why Wear Birthstone Jewelry

Your birthday is the one day every year that is uniquely dedicated to you. It is natural to feel connected to your birthstone and want to celebrate your birthday with something that represents you. Birthstones can also be great reminders or memorials of loved ones. By wearing their birthstone, you share a special connection with them and can remember them fondly throughout the day.

Gemstones also carry these special meanings and can be great gifts to yourself to celebrate different moments in life. Perhaps wearing an opal on an anniversary will make you feel more present at the moment, or wearing diamonds after a loss can help you remember to stay strong. Even meanings you give to birthstones can be meaningful and memorable.

Collecting all 12 birthstones is also considered beneficial for healing and grounding. Even if you do not wear them all every day, having different gemstones for different occasions can help you choose accessories based on the day ahead. For example, wearing a grounding stone can help you get through a hectic day, while a more expensive and decorative stone can be used to help you feel more confident for a big night out or a special occasion.

Giving Birthstone Jewelry As A Gift

Birthstone jewelry is the perfect gift for a birthday, holiday, or anniversary as it shows how much you care for and acknowledge the light that a particular person brings to the world. While choosing the correct birthstone is simple, choosing the right piece and setting can be more complex.

Does the recipient wear lots of rings, or are their jewelry choices more subtle? Do they like large statement necklaces or more delicate pieces? And what about setting—do they have a majority of silver or gold pieces in their collection? Thinking about these preferences and options can help you determine the right birthstone piece for your loved one. By selecting a piece that not only has their birthstone but reflects their style, you will make their special occasion even more memorable.

• Bracelets are perfect gifts for women who wear jewelry regularly and want something to liven up their look. They can also be great gifts for young women, as bracelets can be more durable than delicate items like rings.
• Necklaces are statement pieces of jewelry, so it's essential to choose them wisely. Necklace styles can range from the petite to the extravagant, so scope out your recipient's current jewelry collection before choosing a necklace for their birthday.
• Earrings are beautiful gifts that come in a variety of fun styles to show off the recipient's personality. If you're unsure of what they might like, choose a design that reflects their interests, or go subtle with a simple pair of studs.
• Rings are a beautiful gift for someone special in your life. They are often gifts to intimate partners but can be equally memorable given between friends or loved ones for a woman who loves wearing stately jewelry pieces.

Birthstone Jewelry Care and Handling

Because birthstones are such a meaningful gift, they should be taken care of throughout your ownership to ensure they last for decades. This includes care while wearing, storing, and cleaning the jewelry piece to prevent fading and damage.

• When in use: Be careful to remove jewelry while swimming, bathing or showering, cleaning, washing hands, working outside, or doing any activity that may cause you to sweat heavily. Exposure to water, dirt, grease, and cleaning products can all damage your jewelry over time, so the best practice is to avoid all potential causes of corrosion.
• When storing: Be sure to keep your jewelry in a jewelry box to prevent damage over time. Exposure to excess sunlight or chemicals in the air of your home may cause tarnishing and fade to your jewelry. It can also prevent you from losing your jewelry piece if you store it in the same place every night.
• When cleaning: Do not use ultrasonic cleaners or harsh chemicals on your birthstone jewelry. Instead, simply wipe off the residue with a soft cloth and wash with soap and water when needed. In general, the less exposure your jewelry has to water and soaps, the better, but these can be used if you get grease, perfume, or other hard-to-remove contaminants from your jewelry.