Birthstones
A chart of gemstones commonly linked to birth months -
|
Month |
Birthstone |
| January | Garnet |
| February | Amethyst |
| March | Aquamarine |
| April | Diamond |
| May | Emerald |
| June | Pearl |
| July | Ruby |
| August | Peridot |
| September | Sapphire |
| October | Opal |
| November | Topaz |
| December | Turquoise |
There are alternative birthstones for some months, and they all have some historical validity.
January - Almost all sources are consistent in stating that garnet is the birthstone for January.
February - Most sources agree on the amethyst as February's birthstone, but a few list pearls.
March - Older sources were divided between jasper and bloodstone as the appropriate birthstone.
April - Sapphires were often listed as April's birthstone.
May - May has a lot of choices for birthstones: emeralds, agates, chalcedony or carnelian.
June - Birthstone choices include emerald, agate, chalcedony, turquoise, pearl, moonstone and cat's-eye.
July - The most common birthstone for July in older sources is the onyx. Other birthstone candidates include sardonyx, carnelian, ruby and turquoise.
August - Besides peridot, someone born in August could choose carnelian, sardonyx, moonstone, topaz or alexandrite as his or her birthstone.
September - Birthstones could be chrysolite or sardonyx as well as sapphire.
October - Although opal is the traditional birthstone for October, alternatives include tourmaline, beryl and aquamarine.
November - Most older sources agree on topaz, but at least one gives pearl as an alternative birthstone.
December - In past times, December's birthstone was most commonly listed as ruby. Turquoise and bloodstone were other choices. Lapis lazuli is also cited.
transitions@worldonline.co.uk
19/05/2008