Unlike zodiac signs, a birthstone applies to the entire month. People love to find out about their birthstone and feel it is special because it is theirs. I will list the birthstones through the calendar year and some of the lore associated with the particular gemstone. Let’s get started.

January’s birthstone is garnet, in particular the red garnet (garnets come in many colors). Garnet is an inexpensive gemstone and is mined all over the world including Idaho. Garnets were believed to stop bleeding and to symbolize Christ’s sacrifice.

February’s birthstone is amethyst (purple quartz). Top quality amethyst is a royal purple color with red flash. Most  amethyst comes from South America. Amethyst was believed to prevent drunkenness and cure headaches, toothaches, and gout among other things.

March’s birthstone is aquamarine. (pale blue beryl, the same mineral as emerald). Most aquamarine is heat treated to remove the green component. Aquamarine was believed to give the wearer magical foresight and insight.

April’s birthstone is diamond. Diamonds were thought to be indestructible (they are not) and would render the owner indestructible as well. Also they were believed to bring good luck, freedom from evil spirits, and cure the plague (really??).

May’s birthstone is emerald (intense green beryl). Emeralds are the most valuable green gemstones and come mainly from Colombia and Brazil. Emeralds were believed to be an antidote for poisons, ward off epilepsy, and give people the ability to tell the future.

June has two birthstones, pearl and alexandrite (color change chrysoberyl). Pearls were thought to give one immortality if swallowed, and to cure fever, bleeding, and eye problems. Alexandrite actually changes color depending on the type of lighting. Alexandrite was believed to be discovered on the same day as the birth of prince Alexander, hence the name.

July’s birthstone is ruby (red corundum, the same mineral as sapphire). Most ruby comes from Burma which seems to always have some kind of political strife. Ruby was believed to stop bleeding, cure digestive disorders, and ensure a peaceful life (I want one!)

August’s birthstone is Peridot (olivine). Arizona is the source of some very fine Peridot. It was believed to protect the wearer from night terrors and fend off evil spirits.

September’s birthstone is sapphire, specifically blue sapphire. Sapphire is mined all over the world especially in Asia, but there are several mines in Montana. Sapphire was believed to be an antidote for poison, clear the mind, and cure fevers.

October has two birthstones, opal and pink tourmaline. Opal is formed when silica rich ground water circulates through cracks in the host rock. Opal was believed to have all magical powers because of all of the different colors. Pink tourmaline The Dutch noticed that sun warmed tourmalines attracted or repelled ashes from a fire. This is caused by pyro-electricity (electric charge caused by heating).

November’s birthstone is topaz (golden) or citrine (golden quartz). People in Utah often visit Topaz Mountain and dig for topaz crystals. Topaz was believed to cure dim vision and detect poisons.

December has three birthstones with the recent addition of Tanzanite. The other two are blue zircon and turquoise. Turquoise was believed protect horses from fatigue, ward off the evil eye, and give the owner good luck.

Come on down to William’s and check out some beautiful jewelry pieces created with your special birthstone!!

Matt Dendel
Gemologist, GIA

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