There are more than one birthstones by month list in existence depending on the culture. The following is the typical modern version found in Western societies:
The January Garnet is derived from the Latin word for ‘seed’ and indeed, the color of the stone is exactly that of a deep red pomegranate seed. Loyalty and kindness are the Garnet’s special qualities and they are mined all over the world.
February Amethyst qualities of peace and sobriety are reflected in a Bishop’s royal-purple ring promoting piety. In medieval times, wine goblets were embedded with Amethysts to avoid drunkenness and the Amethyst rosaries of the Tibetan monks are thought to aid in experiencing a peaceful meditation.
March Aquamarines are a lovely ice blue with just a hint hint of green. It is a soothing color that brings peace between friends and lovers, encouraging positive thinking. It is also the stone of the mermaids and will bring safety to those crossing a body of water, even in an airplane.
The April Diamond is the most sought after birthstone and one of the most beautiful. The diamond is very resilient and can be worn all day, every day for a lifetime. Because they take millions of years to form, they have come to symbolize permanence – thus a good stone for marriage.
May Emeralds are the most striking with their rich and verdant green coloring. The Emerald is the stone of Venus, granting fertility, love and rebirth to the wearer. Cleopatra herself owned Emerald mines and wore them to enhance her already unrivaled beauty.
June Pearls are organic gems not found in the earth. They are created in oyster shells as a result of secreted layers of nacre surrounding a foreign object such as a grain of sand. Pearls are associated with celestial beings and once thought to be the actual tears of the Gods caught by open oyster shells under the cloak of darkness. The owner of a pearl is granted protection and guaranteed success in all endeavors.
The July Ruby is a flamboyant carmine red stone with talisman properties of courage and fiery emotion to quicken the pulse. It is the symbol of devotion, integrity, vitality and confidence which make it a popular stone in men’s rings. Next to the diamond, it is the second hardest stone making it a good stone for everyday jewelry.
August’s Peridot is a pretty lime-green gem formed under the intense heat of volcanic activity and found on some of the beaches of Hawaii. However, it mostly mined by Native Americans in Arizona. The Peridot represents truth, faithfulness and loyalty and is sure to bring prosperity to the wearer.
September Sapphires possess an incredible blue color that is hard to duplicate in art. Sapphire comes from the Greek word for blue and long associated with truth, thus the phrase ‘true blue’ which means a trusted person of honesty.
October Opals can be exquisitely beautiful with their multi-colored facets, but most Opals portray more subdued coloring of various hues. The bright orange Fire Opal spawned from Mexico’s volcanoes is a popular choice and matches the autumn coloring of the Fall season. The Opal is thought to be a sort of chameleon, enhancing the owner’s particular strengths.
The November Citrine is a bright and sparkling yellow colored gem that complements just about any color in a wardrobe. The Citrine has properties of protection against enemies and that of beauty and splendor. It has also been used to enhance mental clarity.
December’s Blue Topaz is just one of the many colors of Topaz. The Blue Topaz is thought to have cooling properties to calm hot tempers, cure insanity and curb extreme sexual appetites, thus promoting fidelity.