What Are Birthstones?

Examples of gems and precious stones.

       Birthstones are certain precious gems that through custom, history and sentiment are associated with the twelve months of the year, each month having dedicated to it a special stone. Thus the stone of any month is the birthstone of every person whose birthday falls in that month.
       Origins of birthstones may be traced back to the Bible and also a book called Josephus. Josephus was a Jewish historian living during the first century of the Christian Era, who found a connection between the twelve stones of the high priest's breastplate (See Exodus) and the yearly circle of months. Yet the custom of wearing birthstones is comparatively modern. The modern tradition of wearing one's birthstone in a pendant or ring dates back to eighteenth century Poland.
       The list of birthstones given below was adopted by the American National Retail Jewelers' Association at their convention held in August, 1913. A comparison of this list with the gems mentioned in the adornment of the high priest's breastplate will suggest the changes that the centuries have produced in the popular marketplace about birthstones:

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1. January - Garnet
2. February - Amethyst or Jade
   
3. March - Bloodstone or Aquamarine
   
4. April - Diamond
5. May - Emerald
6. June - Pearl or Moonstone
7. July - Ruby
8. August - Sardonyx or Peridot
9. September - Sapphire
10. October - Opal or Tourmaline
11. November - Topaz
12. December - Turquoise or Lapis-Lazuli