Every month of the year has birthstone associated with it. Each month has a primary gemstone and several also have an alternate or two as well. What’s nice about birthstones is that it’s a great way to celebrate family (such as children, grandchildren, siblings, etc.) in jewelry.
Birthstone Gemstones Chart by Month featuring Tree of Life Pendants.
Let’s take a look at the different birthstones for each month of the year along with information about the symbolic meaning of birthstone gemstones and I’ll show some examples of what you can do with them!
January – Garnet
Garnet is a natural, semi-precious gemstone associated with the planet Mars, the zodiac sign of Aquarius and the birthstone of the month of January. Considered the stone of good luck in business, it’s also said to increase your self-esteem when worn as jewelry. It’s also the stone associated with the first chakra (base of the spine.) It’s rich, deep and intense color is unique and beautiful.
February – Amethyst
Amethyst derives it’s name from a Greek word meaning “without drunkenness” because it was believed to protect the wearer from poisons. Amethyst is a semi-precious gemstone and is a very powerful stone being used for insomnia, protection, wisdom and healing. Amethyst is also traditionally associated with royalty and people of great wealth.
March – Aquamarine
Aquamarine is a natural, semi-precious gemstone in lovely tones of delicate blue. The birthstone of March, it is said to help you be in touch with your spiritual being. Known as “Water of the Sea” because of it’s color, aquamarine been used by sailors for centuries to protect them on the water. It’s also been long used as a strong meditation aide and when worn as a necklace, it is said to calm and sooth the nerves.
April – Diamond (Alternates: White Sapphire, White Topaz)
Pure Topaz is colorless and transparent and is more rare than it’s better-known colored versions. (Such as Blue Topaz or Yellow Topaz.) Known as “White Topaz” or “Silver Topaz” it’s transparent and crystal clear and is a popular alternative for diamonds. The beautiful micro-faceted rondelles used in this piece are very high quality, luxe stones with precision cutting.
May – Emerald (Alternate: Chrome Diopside)
Emerald is one of only four rare, precious gemstones in the world (along with Ruby, Diamond and Sapphire.) A member of the beryl mineral family, emeralds have been prized since ancient times and a quality emerald commands more value than even a diamond! Traditionally, emeralds are worn to promote healing and enhance love and contentment.
June – Pearl (Alternates: Alexandrite and Moonstone)
Pearls have been used for jewelry and adornment for centuries. Unlike all other gemstones, pearls require living creatures to create them and they require no cutting or polishing. Freshwater pearls are said to promote sincerity, truth and loyalty and are commonly used in wedding and bridal jewelry.
July – Ruby
Ruby is one of only four rare, precious gemstones in the world (along with Emerald, Diamond and Sapphire.) Ruby is known as the most powerful gem in the universe. To own a ruby is to know contentment and peace. Given as a gift, ruby is the stone of friendship and love. It’s also associated with vitality and royalty.
August – Peridot
Peridot is a natural, semi-precious gemstone in the most amazing green color. The birthstone of August, it has been considered sacred and a symbol of purity for thousands of years. It was considered a stone of Springtime and a gift of Mother Nature by the Ancients. It is a stone of lightness and beauty and is said to enhance wellness in the spiritually aware. Peridot, while possessing a uniquely vivid tone of green has some natural variation in it.
September – Sapphire
Sapphire means “blue” in Greek. The blue goes from dark blue almost black to pale blue. The finest blue sapphires are a strong blue. Sapphires are one of only four precious gemstones in the world (along with ruby, emerald and diamond) making them rare, expensive and cherished. The sapphire was called the “Stone of Destiny”. Sapphires contribute to mental clarity and perception. They are said to promote financial rewards.
October – Opal (Alternate: Tourmaline)
The Opal derives its name from the Latin word “opalus,” meaning precious jewel. It is one of the birthstones for October. Available in an assortment of colors including blue opal and moss opal and ranging in color from opaque whites, through pale beige, into soft green, browns and even blue.
November – Topaz (Alternate: Citrine)
Citrine is a semi-precious stone in the quartz family. Citrine has been called the “stone of the mind” and is known as the lucky “Merchants Stone”. It’s said to bring luck to those in sales by placing a piece in the cash drawer. Citrine is also used as an alternative to the November birthstone, Yellow Topaz, due to it’s similar color.
December – Tanzanite (Alternates: Turquoise, Blue Zircon
One of the most cherished and sought-after gemstones in the world today, Tanzanite is blue-purple to purple blue stone belonging to family of zoisite.Tanzanite is found in only one place in the world: Tanzania, Africa in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Discovered in 1967, it’s also a relatively “new” gemstone and was named by the famous jewelry store, Tiffany & Co.
There are many myths and legends about the healing, spiritual and mythological power of birthstones. It is said that wearing a gemstone during the month it represents enhances it’s power and influence for the wearer. Though the concept of birthstones date back thousands of years, the modern list has been around since 1912 and the only update in all that time has been the inclusion of “modern” gemstone, Tanzanite, to be added for December’s birthstone.
Regardless of whether or not you believe the gems hold mystical properties, they remain beautiful and attractive and a wonderful way of symbolizing and celebrating friends, loved ones and family!
Check out all the featured birthstone tree of life pendants and many birthstone alternatives on PhoenixFire Designs Birthstone Trees section of the Etsy shop.
