Birthstones

     Did you know that there are many different birthstones to choose from?

  You can choose the commonly known Modern birthstones or Traditional, Alternative and Ancient birthstones that have been used for thousands of years all around the world.

    I compiled this list of birthstones over many, many years of collecting, restoring and creating jewellery, especially creating custom jewellery for clients all over the world.

     I have always been fascinated with gemstones and their symbolism throughout history, in different cultures, in biblical text, art, folklore, etc..

    I am not a historian or an expert, this list is not complete and may not be accurate, but I hope it will encourage you to learn more about the fascinating history of birthstones.

Modern, Traditional and Ancient Birthstones:

January:

Garnet-Traditional, Ancient and Modern most cultures: British, Arabic

Rose Quartz-Alternative

Jacinth (also called Hyacinth  & Red Zircon)-Ancient Italian and Russian

Emerald-Tibetan

Colors: deep red, red and emerald, green & pink.

February:

Amethyst-Traditional & Ancient Hebrew, Russian, Polish, Arabic and United Kingdom

Pearl was a common February birthstone used in the 15th century.

Jacinth (also called Hyacinth  & Red Zircon)-was also commonly used before the 20th century.

Lolite (Iolite)-Alternative

Blue Quartz Alternative

Colors: purple, red, white, and blue

March

Aquamarine-Modern & Traditional

Bloodstone-Ancient &Traditional Hebrew, Roman, Arabic and United Kingdom

Jasper-Traditional Russian

Jade-Tibetan

Colors: green, green with red (bloodstone), light blue, aqua blue.

April:

Diamond-Modern and Traditional

Diamond-Ancient Polish 

Sapphire and White Sapphire- Traditional and Ancient Hebrew, Roman, Arabic and Russian, 

Opal-Tibetan

Clear Quartz, Crystal, White Quartz-Modern & Alternative

Colors: clear, white, and multiple Sapphire colors. 

May:

Emerald- (Modern, Traditional and Ancient): Roman, Hebrew, Arabic, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Polish & Japanese

Agate is the Hebrew, Italian, Spanish, Roman

Sapphire-Tibetan

Carnelian & Chalcedony-Hebrew

Green Onyx & Chrysoprase-Common & Alternative

Colors: green, orange, and blue. 

June:

Pearl- Modern & Traditional

Moonstone-Modern & Tibetan

Emerald-Italian, Ancient Hebrew & Roman

Chalcedony-Russian, Polish & Arabic

Agate-Russian, Polish and Arabic

Alexandrite and Opal are Modern or alternative June birthstones.

Colors: white, green, purple and multi color.

July:

Ruby-Modern & Traditional as well as Ancient Tibetan, Russian and Polish

Onyx-Ancient Roman, Hebrew and Italian

Sardonyx-Ancient Russian

Jasper and Carnelian-Arabic

Colors: red, brown, orange and black.

August:

Peridot-Traditional

Sardonyx-Ancient & Traditional Polish & Arabic 

Carnelian-Ancient Hebrew, Roman and Italian

Alexandrite-Ancient Russian

Diamond-Tibetan

Green Jade-Alternative

Colors: green, orange, and clear.

September:

Sapphire-Traditional

Diamond-Modern

Sardonyx-Ancient Roman & Polish

Peridot (also called Chrysolite & Olivine)-Ancient Hebrew, Russian, Arabic, Italian & Polish

Topaz-Ancient Italian, Hebrew & Russian

Agate-Tibetan

Blue Lapis Lazuli-Alternative

Clear Quartz & Blue Jade-Alternative

Colors: blue, green, orange, and clear

October

Opal-Traditional

Tourmaline (pink is the most popular color) -Modern

Aquamarine -Ancient Roman, Hebrew Polish and Arabic

Jasper-Tibetan

Beryl like Emerald, Aquamarine & Pink Morganite-Italian & Russian

Rose Quartz and Pink Zirconia are alternative October birthstones. 

Colors: pink, green, or blue.

November:

Citrine-Modern and Traditional

Topaz-Modern and Ancient Hebrew, Russian, Arabic, Roman, Italian, and Polish

Smokey Quartz (Alternative to Smokey Topaz)-Modern

Pearl-Tibetan

Colors: yellow, brown, and white.

December:

Blue Zircon- Modern

Tanzanite- Modern

Turquoise-Traditional & Ancient Polish & Russian

Ruby-Traditional and Ancient-Roman, Hebrew, Russian, Arabic Polish and Italian

Blue Lapis Lazuli-Ancient

Onyx-Tibetan

Chrysoprase-Russian

Colors: Blue, Green, Red, Turquoise, blue & green

.....

Modern 20th Century Birthstones (Most Commonly Used Today)

January – Garnet

February – Amethyst

March – Aquamarine, Bloodstone

April – Diamond, Moonstone, Clear Quartz Crystal

May – Emerald, Jade, Agate

June – Alexandrite, Pearl, Moonstone

July – Ruby, Carnelian

August – Peridot, Sardonyx 

September – Sapphire, Blue Lapis 

October – Opal, Rose Quartz

November – Golden Topaz, Smokey Topaz, Citrine, Smokey Quartz 

December – Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli & Blue Topaz & Blue Zircon

.....

American Standard Birthstones since 1912

January –Garnet

February – Amethyst

March – Aquamarine

April – Diamond

May – Emerald

June – Pearl

July – Ruby

August – Peridot

September – Sapphire

October – Opal

November – Topaz

December - Tanzanite

.....

Traditional Birthstones

January –Garnet

February – Amethyst

March – Bloodstone

April – Diamond

May – Emerald

June – Pearl

July – Ruby

August – Sardonyx

September – Sapphire

October – Tourmaline or Opal

November – Citrine

December - Turquoise

.....

Birthstone Colors (Common)

January – Deep Red

February – Purple, Lavender

March – Aqua Blue, Light Blue, Green & Red

April – Clear, White

May – Green

June – Lavender, White

July – Red

August – Green

September – Blue

October – Pink, Opalescent

November – Gold, Yellow, Brown

December – Turquoise, Blue

.....

Birthstone Colors by Month (from all the Birthstones)

January –Garnet (deep red, burgundy) Jacinth, Hyacinth (orange red, yellow)

February – Amethyst (purple, lilac), Lolite (blue to purple).

March – Aquamarine (aqua to light blue), Bloodstone (red & green), Green.

April – Diamond, White Sapphire and Blue or other color Sapphire, Clear Quartz, Crystal, White Quartz, Mother of Pearl.

May – Emerald (green) Agate, Onyx (green, black), Chrysoprase (apple green) Beryl (many colors: blue, green, gold, red, clear), Carnelian (orange to red), Chalcedony (sky blue, green and many other colors).

June – Pearl, Moonstone, Emerald (green), Chalcedony (sky blue, green and many other colors), Agate (all colors), Alexandrite (purple, green, red & blue mixed), Opal (opalescent).

July – Ruby (red), Carnelian (orange, red), Jasper (Red, Orange, Green, Onyx (green, black) Sardonyx (orange, white, black).

August – Peridot (light to olive green), Jade (forest to apple green), Carnelian (Orange, Red), Sardonyx (orange, white, black), Alexandrite (purple, green, red & blue mixed)

September – Sapphire, Lapis Lazuli (blue), Sardonyx (orange, white, black) Chrysolite, Peridot, Olivine (Green), Topaz, Diamond (white, yellow).

October – Opal & Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz (soft pink), Pink Cubic Zirconia, Zircon (blue turquoise color), Aquamarine (light blue, aqua blue) Beryl (many colors: blue, green, gold, red, clear).

November – Topaz (smoky brown, gray, blue and other colors) Smokey Quartz (smoky brown, gray), Citrine (yellow, gold).

December – Turquoise, Blue Lapis Lazuli, Blue Zircon (blue turquoise color), Blue Topaz, Tanzanite (blue purple).

..........

     I hope you have fun reading this list, I hope it inspires you to learn more and to choose a birthstone that suits your personality and one that makes you happy.

     Read more about Birthstones: History of Birthstones – Anything's Possible Jewellery (anythingspossiblejewellery.ca)

 

Please contact me with any questions or comments.

Have a blessed day.

Jacqueline

 

 

©Jacqueline Neves, Anything’s Possible Jewellery

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