Throughout the millennia, precious and semi-precious stones have fascinated us with their color.
Moreover, they have often been associated with symbols and therapeutic properties. It's therefore natural that certain stones have been associated with the 12 months of the year.
In jewelry, birthstones can evoke a memory, a person, or an event and make them last forever. Give meaning to your jewelry to celebrate the most beautiful moments of your life.
And what if we discovered your birthstone together?
To begin, it's interesting to understand how this association between stones and months of the year came about.
One thing is certain: natural stones have always been used in ornamentation, whether for the creation of the first natural paintings with intense hues, but also in the adornment of sculptures or the self, mounted in jewelry. Furthermore, the belief in the virtues of gemstones has roots dating back to antiquity, making it a true tradition dating back thousands of years.
Indeed, the twelve birthstones of the month originate from the breastplate worn by the High Priest of Israel, according to the Bible (Exodus 28:15-30). This breastplate was adorned with four rows of three stones each. These twelve engraved stones represent the twelve tribes of Israel founded by the twelve sons of Jacob.
Later, and starting in the 1st century AD, a belief developed by analogy, attributing a particular stone to each of the twelve months of the year.
In the 18th century, first in Poland, then in Europe, this custom revived. It was in 1912 that the American Gem Society published its list of birthstones. Some stone names have evolved over the centuries, of course, and some changes have been made to this list up until 2016.
Beyond the history of the stones of the month, we understand that the attraction to stones has always been present. This is evidenced by the numerous treatises by mineralogists describing the physical characteristics of stones, their provenance, as well as their virtues and symbolism.
For millennia and in many cultures, humans have associated a stone with a specific meaning, a symbol, or a protective power.
Lithotherapy—healing with stones—is rooted in these ancestral beliefs. Similarly, birthstones are linked to astrology. Everyone is free to believe in them, of course.
In any case, as we said earlier, the fascination and attraction for precious stones has always been ingrained in us. So, what could be more natural than wanting to bring meaning to the jewelry you wish to give, to immortalize a moment, a person... The gift only becomes more sophisticated and personal.
Now, it's high time to discover birthstones! The birthstones presented here are part of the current list of the American Gem Society.
Garnets are a group of minerals that produce the familiar deep red stones, as well as yellow, orange, and green gemstones. Among the latter, the best known are tsavorite, spessartite, and rhodolite.
It is such a durable stone that remnants of garnet jewelry have been found dating back to the Bronze Age. The Egyptians readily used it in their jewelry and sculptures, symbolizing life. This gemstone was used as a talisman for protection by both warriors and those seeking protection from the plague. As a result, it is now considered a symbol of invulnerability and passion.
This stone is said to have virtues of joy, serenity, and vitality.
Amethyst - Stone of the Month for February. For many, February is a cold and dark month. Amethyst contrasts wonderfully with this time of year with its magnificent purple color: it ranges from very light mauve to deep violet, including purple.
Amethyst is a member of the quartz family and is the second most abundant material found in the Earth's crust.
Its name comes from the ancient Greek word methustos, which means "intoxicated." The ancients believed that the amethyst stone could prevent its wearer from becoming intoxicated: hence the symbols of wisdom and clairvoyance associated with it.
Amethyst, the birthstone for February, is said to be a calming and harmonious stone.
Aquamarine - Birthstone for March This gemstone is part of the Beryl family. With colors ranging from light blue to dark blue and even blue-green, Aquamarine has been associated with water and the sea throughout history. In fact, the name "aquamarine" is derived from the Latin word "aqua," meaning water, and "marina," meaning sea.
Roman fishermen used it for protection, for safe boat travel, and for good luck in catching fish.
Aquamarine, the birthstone for March, is prized in jewelry for its fresh, soft color that brings serenity. It is also said to be a symbol of mercy.
This stone is said, among other things, to have virtues that promote love in couples throughout the stages of life.
For those lucky enough to be born in April, their birthstone is the most precious stone of all. Renowned for its hardness and purity because it is composed of only one element (carbon), the Diamond has become an excellent symbol of invincibility, loyalty, and eternity.
The Diamond is said to grant you strength and wisdom.
May birthdays fall in the heart of spring, and the emerald is the perfect gem to symbolize and celebrate spring's rebirth.
Emerald, like Aquamarine, is a member of the beryl family. Emerald's color can range from light green to a deep, intense green.
A favorite stone of Queen Cleopatra, the emerald symbolizes steadfastness, luck, and love.
This stone is said to bring hope and honesty, and aid in renewal.
The gemstones for the month of June range from pearl to moonstone to alexandrite. We will only present the first two here.
Pearls are the only gemstones made by living creatures. In ancient times, they were called Aphrodite's tears, after the goddess of love.
These are very soft, tender, and feminine. They are sensitive to extreme heat and acidity.
The finest pearls have a naturally reflective luster, making them appear creamy white with an iridescent sheen. Their light and pearly hues make them a soothing gemstone.
Cultured pearls can also be gold, green, blue, brown, pink, purple, or black. Black pearls are not actually black, but rather green, purple, blue, or silver.
Pearls are a symbol of faith and purity of soul.
Moonstone has been used as a beautiful ornament and a powerful talisman since ancient civilizations. The Romans admired it, believing it was formed from moonbeams.
Moonstone was also valued later, during the Art Nouveau movement between 1890 and 1910. Then again in the 1960s with the hippies, and in the 1990s with the New Age movement.
Thus, valued for centuries, Moonstone, the birthstone for June, remains popular and accessible today.
It bestows serenity, harmony, love, and femininity upon its wearer.
Moonstone is said to enhance sensitivity and creativity.
A symbol of passion, enthusiasm, and prosperity, rubies have been revered since time immemorial for their color and vitality, particularly in Asian countries.
Ruby is the red variety of the corundum family. All other colors of corundum are called sapphire, meaning that color is the key to this royal gemstone.
In ancient Sanskrit, ruby ​​translated as ratnaraj, which meant "king of gems."
It is said to be a stone that sharpens the intellect. It is also said to give strength and courage. This gemstone is therefore ideal for people with strong personalities.
Originally, Sardonyx was the birthstone for August. Peridot and Spinel were later added. Here we will introduce you to Peridot.
Peridot jewelry dates back to 2000 BC. The ancient Egyptians called Peridot the "jewel of the sun," believing it protected its wearer from the terrors of the night.
For many centuries, Peridot and Emerald were confused; however, Peridot is recognizable by its characteristic "lime" color.
Although the origin of its name is unclear, some believe it comes from the Greek word peridona, meaning "to give much." This may be why Peridot was associated with prosperity and good fortune.
The August birthstone, Peridot, is said to be a stone of joy and peace. It is also said to have anti-toxin properties.
Although sapphire generally refers to the rich variety of blue gemstones in the corundum family, this gemstone is also found in a whole rainbow of hues. Sapphires come in all colors except red, which is more properly classified as rubies.
The September birthstone, sapphire, has been popular since the Middle Ages. The celestial blue color of this gemstone symbolized the sky and attracted divine favor and wise judgment. Sapphire gemstones symbolize loyalty, nobility, sincerity, and integrity.
Between tourmaline (whose color depends on the trace elements in its chemical composition) and opal (which diffracts light to display a play of multiple colors), October birthstones offer a complete set of gemstones to suit everyone's personal tastes.
The name "opal" comes from the Greek word opallios, which meant "to see a change of color."
Opal's characteristic play of color was explained in the 1960s when scientists discovered that it is composed of microscopic silica spheres that diffract light to display various colors of the rainbow.
In the East, opal, the October birthstone, symbolizes hope, which dispels the wearer's sadness and distrust of strangers.
The name "Tourmaline" comes from the Sinhala word tura mali, meaning "stone of mixed colors." As its name suggests, Tourmaline stands out from other gemstones with its wide range of colors in all shades of the rainbow.
In the late 19th century, China was the largest market for tourmaline. Indeed, the Chinese Empress Cixi was particularly fond of pink Tourmaline.
Certain trace elements produce distinct colors, and many resulting varieties have their own names, such as: Paraíba Tourmaline, Rubellite, Indigolite, "Watermelon" Tourmaline, etc.
Tourmaline, the birthstone of October, is said to be a stone of mental and physiological healing. Due to its multiple colors, it is said to symbolize the joy of living and the union of heaven and earth.
Imperial Topaz and Citrine, the November gemstones, look so similar that they have often been confused throughout history. Yet, they are quite distinct minerals.
Citrine is a variety of quartz that ranges from pale yellow to a honey-orange color. It takes its name, as you might have guessed, from the word lemon.
In ancient times, people believed that citrine gemstones could calm tempers, soothe anger, and manifest desires, especially prosperity.
Worn by both men and women, Citrine is a symbol of success and abundance.
As mentioned above, for centuries, stones of this shade of yellow were confused with each other. However, during the Renaissance in Europe, people believed that Topaz could break spells and quell anger. Hindus considered topaz sacred, believing that a pendant could bring wisdom and longevity to their lives. African shamans also treated the gemstone as sacred, using it in their healing rituals.
The Ural Mountains in Russia became one of the main sources of topaz in the 19th century. The pinkish-orange gemstone mined there was named Imperial Topaz to honor the Russian tsar, and only members of the royal family could possess it.
Topaz, like many stones, is a crystal that comes in various colors such as blue, yellow-orange, pink, brown, and even colorless.
Topaz is said to be a stone of love and luck. It is said to promote relationships and communication.
Turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon are the three birthstones for December. They are best known for their beautiful shades of blue. These gemstones range from one of the first mined and used in jewelry to one of the most recently discovered. We'll focus only on Turquoise here.
Turquoise is known for its very distinctive color, which ranges from powdery blue to greenish blue. It is one of the few minerals to give its name to anything that resembles its color.
From the Egyptians to the Persians, including the Aztecs and Native Americans, kings and warriors have admired Turquoise for thousands of years. It adorned everything from jewelry to ceremonial masks, weapons, and bridles.
Highly valued for its striking eponymous color and ancient history, Turquoise's popularity remains timeless. This gemstone is a symbol of purity and balance.
Now that you know more about each of the birthstones used in jewelry, all that's left is to choose the type of jewelry to wear or give as a gift.
It's your turn!
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