Birthstones
A note on birthstones, what they are, where they come from and the traditional as compared to modern lists we use today.
There have been many sets of birthstones throughout history, different cultures and countries. In 1912, in an attempt to standardize them The American National Association of Jewelers, Jewelers of America adopted the Traditional list below, it is currently the most widely used list in America and other countries such as Australia and Thailand.
Listed in order of the Calendar January - December
Original: Garnet, Amethyst, Aquamarine, White Spinel, Emerald, Agate, Pearl, Jasper, Blue Spinel, Sapphire, Rose Sapphire, Golden Topaz, Blue Zircon
Traditional (1912): Garnet, Amethyst, Aquamarine, White Spinel, Emerald, Agate, Pearl, Peridot, Sapphire, Opal, Topaz, Turquoise.
Alternatives (1912): None, None, Bloodstone, Diamond, None, Alexandrite or Carnelian, None, Jasper, None, Tourmaline, Citrine, None.
Modern (Date Unknown): Garnet, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Peridot, Sapphire, Opal, Topaz, and Turquoise.
The Alchemists Vessel: Garnet, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Bloodstone and Aqua Amazonite, Clear Quartz Crystal, Malachite, Agate, Carnelian (Pearl), Pearl (Ruby), Peridot and Jasper, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Tourmaline and Rhodonite, Topaz and Citrine, and Turquoise.
However, there has been some indecision in regards to June’s and July’s Birthstones. Originally it was thought that your birthstone corresponded to your Zodiac Sign. In later years that changed to the Roman calendar months and the birthstone was associated with the month the sign dominated, not the sign itself. Traditionally Pearl has been July’s Birthstone as it corresponds to Cancer the Crab, as the Zodiac sign is dominate in July. Recently the list has been changed with no date of record, to include Ruby. The lists have omitted Agate and Carnelian for June and replaced them with Pearl. (The Zodiac sign of Cancer begins at the end of June)
It is believed that the birthstones originated from the Bible and are taken from the Breastplate of Aaron, Exodus 28: 15-21; they represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Set in four rows they correspond to the Zodiac at that time. In order they are listed as:
The First Row: Sardius, Topaz, Carbuncle (or Emerald) The Second Row: Emerald (or Carbuncle), Sapphire, and Diamond The Third Row: Jacinth, Agate, and Amethyst The Fourth Row: Beryl, Onyx, and Jasper
The stones may also be taken from the foundations for the walls of the new Jerusalem, and may be found in the book of Revelations 21: 19 -21. Listed in order of the Roman calendar and the layers: Jasper, Sapphire, Chalcedony, Emerald, Sardonyx, Sardius, Chrysolite, Beryl, Topaz, Chrysoprase, Jacinth, and Amethyst. There are also twelve gates, each made of Pearl.
Many of the names are a general description for any number of stones. i.e. Emerald is a Beryl Stone.
Alexandrite: A grass green “chrysoberyl” that changes color to red in transmitted or artificial light.
Beryl: is a mineral made up of silicate of beryllium (a toxic substance) and aluminum.
Carbuncle: Garnet, or a red precious stone
Chalcedony (kal-se-d-en-ee) is translucent quartz in various colors and waxy luster, like Jasper and Chrysoprase. Chryoprase: An apple green chalcedony.
Chrysolite: also called “Olivine”, it is also a chalcedony.
Jacinth: is a gem orange in color.
Ruby: is corundum, a mineral in hard crystalline form of aluminum oxide. Sapphire is also corundum.
Sardius: also called Sard is an iron oxide mineral, usually reddish-brown in color, sometimes confused with Carnelian.
Sardonyx: Is an Onyx that has bands or stripes of Sard.
Spinel: a mineral consisting of oxide, ferrous iron rich, zinc and manganese.
Sources:
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition The Crystal Wisdom Book, Stephanie Harrison and Barbara Kleiner The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need, Joanna Martin Woolfolk The Hidden World of Birthdays, Judith Turner The Complete Book of Astrology, Caitlin Johnstone The Holy Bible, American Standard Version, 1929 The American National Association of Jewelers
There have been many sets of birthstones throughout history, different cultures and countries. In 1912, in an attempt to standardize them The American National Association of Jewelers, Jewelers of America adopted the Traditional list below, it is currently the most widely used list in America and other countries such as Australia and Thailand.
Listed in order of the Calendar January - December
Original: Garnet, Amethyst, Aquamarine, White Spinel, Emerald, Agate, Pearl, Jasper, Blue Spinel, Sapphire, Rose Sapphire, Golden Topaz, Blue Zircon
Traditional (1912): Garnet, Amethyst, Aquamarine, White Spinel, Emerald, Agate, Pearl, Peridot, Sapphire, Opal, Topaz, Turquoise.
Alternatives (1912): None, None, Bloodstone, Diamond, None, Alexandrite or Carnelian, None, Jasper, None, Tourmaline, Citrine, None.
Modern (Date Unknown): Garnet, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Peridot, Sapphire, Opal, Topaz, and Turquoise.
The Alchemists Vessel: Garnet, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Bloodstone and Aqua Amazonite, Clear Quartz Crystal, Malachite, Agate, Carnelian (Pearl), Pearl (Ruby), Peridot and Jasper, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Tourmaline and Rhodonite, Topaz and Citrine, and Turquoise.
However, there has been some indecision in regards to June’s and July’s Birthstones. Originally it was thought that your birthstone corresponded to your Zodiac Sign. In later years that changed to the Roman calendar months and the birthstone was associated with the month the sign dominated, not the sign itself. Traditionally Pearl has been July’s Birthstone as it corresponds to Cancer the Crab, as the Zodiac sign is dominate in July. Recently the list has been changed with no date of record, to include Ruby. The lists have omitted Agate and Carnelian for June and replaced them with Pearl. (The Zodiac sign of Cancer begins at the end of June)
It is believed that the birthstones originated from the Bible and are taken from the Breastplate of Aaron, Exodus 28: 15-21; they represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Set in four rows they correspond to the Zodiac at that time. In order they are listed as:
The First Row: Sardius, Topaz, Carbuncle (or Emerald) The Second Row: Emerald (or Carbuncle), Sapphire, and Diamond The Third Row: Jacinth, Agate, and Amethyst The Fourth Row: Beryl, Onyx, and Jasper
The stones may also be taken from the foundations for the walls of the new Jerusalem, and may be found in the book of Revelations 21: 19 -21. Listed in order of the Roman calendar and the layers: Jasper, Sapphire, Chalcedony, Emerald, Sardonyx, Sardius, Chrysolite, Beryl, Topaz, Chrysoprase, Jacinth, and Amethyst. There are also twelve gates, each made of Pearl.
Many of the names are a general description for any number of stones. i.e. Emerald is a Beryl Stone.
Alexandrite: A grass green “chrysoberyl” that changes color to red in transmitted or artificial light.
Beryl: is a mineral made up of silicate of beryllium (a toxic substance) and aluminum.
Carbuncle: Garnet, or a red precious stone
Chalcedony (kal-se-d-en-ee) is translucent quartz in various colors and waxy luster, like Jasper and Chrysoprase. Chryoprase: An apple green chalcedony.
Chrysolite: also called “Olivine”, it is also a chalcedony.
Jacinth: is a gem orange in color.
Ruby: is corundum, a mineral in hard crystalline form of aluminum oxide. Sapphire is also corundum.
Sardius: also called Sard is an iron oxide mineral, usually reddish-brown in color, sometimes confused with Carnelian.
Sardonyx: Is an Onyx that has bands or stripes of Sard.
Spinel: a mineral consisting of oxide, ferrous iron rich, zinc and manganese.
Sources:
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition The Crystal Wisdom Book, Stephanie Harrison and Barbara Kleiner The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need, Joanna Martin Woolfolk The Hidden World of Birthdays, Judith Turner The Complete Book of Astrology, Caitlin Johnstone The Holy Bible, American Standard Version, 1929 The American National Association of Jewelers
