Birthstones  

Just about everyone knows what his or her birthstone is.

Why is that? Because people still enjoy the folklore associated with the tradition of the birthstone. They like believing that wearing a birthstone brings them good luck and protects them.

Early civilization as far back as the Assyrians (1400 BC) invested rare and beautiful gemstones with magical properties. Some minerals were thought to contain a force or possess certain values and powers. For instance, amethyst was said to prevent intoxication.

Tradition associates a gem with each sign of the zodiac based on a color system. Color was thought to unleash the power attributed to the stone.

In time, birthstones became associated with calendar months rather than the zodiac. And people began to select birthstones in colors other than the original.

The Roman, Arabic, Jewish, Polish, Russian and Italian lists were all different.

The following list of birthstones, which is the one commonly used today, was adopted in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers, which later evolved into the Jewelers of America.

January (Garnet)--Garnet is the accepted birthstone for the month of January. It is also the accepted anniversary gemstone for the second year of marriage.

February -- Amethyst is the recognized birthstone for February and the accepted anniversary gemstone for the sixth year of marriage.

March -- Aquamarine is the traditional birthstone for March. It is also the accepted anniversary gem for the 19th year of marriage.

April -- Diamond is the birthstone for the month of April. Besides being the most popular gemstone for engagement rings, diamond is the accepted anniversary gem for the 10th and 60th years of marriage.

May -- Emerald is the birthstone for the month of May. It is also the anniversary gemstone for the 20th and 35th years of marriage.

June -- Pearl is the birthstone for the month of June. It is also the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 3rd and 30th years of marriage.

July -- Ruby is the accepted birthstone for July. It is also the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 15th and 40th year.

August -- Peridot is the accepted birthstone for August. It is also the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 16th year of marriage.

September -- Sapphire is the September birthstone as well as the accepted anniversary gem for the 5th and 45th years of marriage.

October -- Opal is the October birthstone as well as the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 14th year of marriage.

November -- Topaz is the accepted birthstone for November. Blue topaz is the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 4th year; Imperial topaz for the 23rd year of marriage.

December -- Turquoise is the accepted birthstone for December and is the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 11th year of marriage.

About the Author
Julie Lee is a web designer and founder of Julie's Jewelry Design, LLC. Julie's Jewels is a Texas based retail jewelry company specializing in high quality, affordable jewelry pieces created to be treasured for a lifetime.