Birthstones
You may have always thought of birthstones as simply being categorized by the month in which you were born. As the tradition has been alive since ancient times, a variety of ways to group birthstones have developed and evolved throughout the years: modern, traditional, mystical, Ayurvedic, Hebrew, planetary and by zodiac sign. For your ease, we have grouped all the stones in each of these categories with their applicable month, so that no matter what type of birthstone you're looking for, you can find it.
In case you were curious:
- "Traditional" birthstones are ancient and were society based, frequently matching up to the Gregorian calendar. A charming little collection of short poems related to these such birthstones, was published in a pamphlet for Tiffany & Co released in 1917. To read, click here.
- The "modern" classification of birthstones was created in 1912 by the (American) National Association of Jewelers, in an effort to standardize the practice.
- "Mystical" birthstones originated with the Tibetans.
- "Ayurvedic" birthstones come from the traditions of ancient India, where birthstones played a role in medicine and philosophy.
- "Hebrew" birthstones date back to the Judeo-Christian belief in the correlation between the 12 stones in Aaron's breastplate, the twelve months of the year, and the twelve signs of the zodiac. They can also correspond to the 12 tribes of Israel.
- "Planetary" stones pull together the ideas of Ayurvedic medicine and astrology, with different stones used to harmonize the energy from the planets and their influence on your life.
- Zodiac birthstones relate to astrology, specifically the sun sign under which you were born.
January
Modern: Garnet
Traditional: Garnet
Mystical: Emerald
Ayurvedic: Garnet
Hebrew: Garnet
Planetary: Lapis Lazuli
Zodiac: Ruby
February
Modern: Amethyst
Traditional: Amethyst
Mystical: Bloodstone
Ayurvedic: Amethyst
Hebrew: Amethyst
Planetary: Turquoise
Zodiac: Ruby
March
Modern: Aquamarine
Traditional: Bloodstone
Mystical: Jade
Ayurvedic: Bloodstone
Hebrew: Bloodstone
Planetary: Aquamarine
Zodiac: Amethyst
April
Modern: Diamond
Traditional: Diamond
Mystical: Opal
Ayurvedic: Diamond
Hebrew: Sapphire
Planetary: Jasper
Zodiac: Bloodstone
May
Modern: Emerald
Traditional: Emerald
Mystical: Sapphire
Ayurvedic: Agate
Hebrew: Agate
Planetary: Aventurine
Zodiac: Sapphire
June
Modern: Pearl
Traditional: Alexandrite
Mystical: Moonstone
Ayurvedic: Pearl
Hebrew: Emerald
Planetary: Tiger Eye
Zodiac: Agate
July
Modern: Ruby
Traditional: Ruby
Mystical: Ruby
Ayurvedic: Ruby
Hebrew: Onyx
Planetary: Moonstone
Zodiac: Emerald
August
Modern: Peridot
Traditional: Sardonyx
Mystical: Diamond
Ayurvedic: Sapphire
Hebrew: Carnelian
Planetary: Rock Crystal
Zodiac: Onyx
September
Modern: Sapphire
Traditional: Sapphire
Mystical: Agate
Ayurvedic: Moonstone
Hebrew: Peridot
Planetary: Citrine
Zodiac: Carnelian
October
Modern: Opal
Traditional: Tourmaline
Mystical: Jasper
Ayurvedic: Opal
Hebrew: Aquamarine / Beryl
Planetary: Sapphire
Zodiac: Peridot
November
Modern: Yellow Topaz
Traditional: Citrine
Mystical: Pearl
Ayurvedic: Topaz
Hebrew: Yellow Topaz
Planetary: Garnet
Zodiac: Beryl
December
Modern: Blue Topaz
Traditional: Blue Zircon
Mystical: Onyx
Ayurvedic: Ruby
Hebrew: Ruby
Planetary: Topaz
Zodiac: Topaz