Birthstone: Which One is Right for You?

A birthstone is a precious or semi-precious stone that represents the month of birth of each person. You can wear your birthstone on a piece of jewelry , or as a pendant . What is the origin of this tradition, what is your stone according to the month of your birthday, from January to December? Follow the guide.

Origin of birth month stones

In Western tradition, the origin of birthstones is believed to be in Judaism. The high priest of Israel wore a breastplate, called a hoshen, which was set with 12 gemstones, each representing one of the 12 tribes of Israel. Around the 9th century, religious treatises began to assign a stone to each apostle. People began to keep one stone from each month to wear during the appropriate time. It was not until a few centuries later that the tradition of wearing only one's birthstone began.

Today, the list of stones by month varies somewhat depending on the country. It is determined by associations of jewelers or gemologists. In the original list of Israel, we found in particular crystal, onyx and jasper, which have disappeared from modern lists.

Which stone according to your date of birth?

How to know your birthstone? You must base yourself on the tradition of assigning a precious or semi-precious stone to each month according to a calendar. Here is the gem that corresponds to each month.

January Birthstone: Garnet

The deep red of garnet , its most common color, has caused the name of this stone to also be used to describe this specific tone. But, truth be told, garnets come in many colors. They are found all over the planet, from Greece to Wyoming to Madagascar.

Garnet is the birthstone for the month of January . It is said that this stone can bring serenity , prosperity and health to the home.

February Stone: Amethyst

Amethyst is a purple quartz that offers a very pleasant combination of red and violet. Its name comes from the Greek methustos, which means "drunk". The ancients believed that amethyst helped prevent drunkenness. Since quartz is abundant, amethyst, the birthstone of February , is found in the 4 corners of the planet.

Amethyst is associated with purple, but can be found in shades ranging from slightly pinkish purple to deep purple. Throughout history, amethyst has been a symbol of royalty and religion. Leonardo da Vinci said that amethyst increases intelligence and eliminates negative thoughts.

March Birthstone: Aquamarine

With its pale blue, aquamarine evokes the tranquility of the sea. Its color can vary between blue and green. The March birthstone aquamarine is mainly found in Brazil. Like emerald, it is a variety of beryl .

Traditionally, aquamarine is the gemstone that protects sailors . By extension, it would promote the safety of voyages. It is said that the serenity that emanates from aquamarine allows one to be calmer. In the Middle Ages, it was thought that it protected against poisoning. It would also be the stone of reconciliation .

April Birthstone: Diamond

Who doesn't know the diamond ? The hardest stone on the planet was made to symbolize the eternal nature of love. But also to be worn every day, given its exceptional durability. The most common diamond is transparent, but it comes in all colors.

Traditionally, the April birthstone was associated with healing properties. The ancients believed that diamonds helped to remove toxins from the blood, cure nervous diseases, etc. Today, diamonds mainly symbolize love and commitment, strength.

May Birthstone: Emerald

Emerald is the birthstone for May , when spring is in full swing. This makes sense, since it is the stone of rebirth . It comes in different shades of green, although the most sought-after emeralds are dark green.

Emerald is said to promote foresight, luck and youth. The Egyptians had great admiration for this precious stone. As did most Mesoamerican civilizations. Medicinal properties are also attributed to the May birthstone: it is said to treat stomach aches, epilepsy and stop hemorrhages . It is also said to bring serenity.

June Birthstone: Pearl

The pearl is a unique semi-precious stone: it is the only one created by living organisms. The birthstone of June , the pearl is made of calcium carbonate by mollusks. But only oysters are able to produce the pearly pearls so sought after in jewelry .

The pearl would have relaxing effects. It would allow to have a clear mind, to stimulate intuition and imagination.

July Birthstone: Ruby

Ruby, the birthstone of July , is one of the most precious stones on the planet and has been since the dawn of time. In Sanskrit, the word for ruby ​​means "king of gemstones." It is highly valued because of its color, hardness, and rarity .

Because of its deep red color, ruby ​​has long been associated with the nourishing blood that gives life. The ancients believed that ruby ​​increased energy , raised consciousness, increased courage , and promoted success in business, love, and on the battlefield.

August Birthstone: Peridot

The August birthstone is probably the most misunderstood of all. The very cheerful green (reminiscent of lime green) of peridot perfectly symbolizes summer. Its color, which can range from yellow-green to brown-green, depends on its iron content.

The Egyptians called peridot the “stone of the sun.” It was believed to protect against the dangers of the night .

September Birthstone: Sapphire

When you think of sapphire , you often think of the deep blue of this mineral. But the September birthstone comes in every color imaginable, except red (in which case, it's a ruby ). It's the presence of metals such as iron, titanium, or copper that gives sapphires their color. Sapphire prices vary greatly depending on their color, provenance, clarity, and more.

Sapphire symbolizes sincerity, loyalty, integrity. It is said to promote self-discipline , avoid distractions and channel higher powers.

October Birthstone: Tourmaline

The birthstone for October , the month of early fall, is tourmaline . While the foliage of the trees offers us a symphony of colors, the multi-colored nature of tourmaline fits perfectly with this month.

Tourmaline has the characteristic of being able to charge itself with electricity. In this case, it can act as a magnet. This is probably why it was used as a talisman to protect against negative waves and repel evil spirits. Today, some still believe that tourmaline protects against pollution, radiation , toxins and negative thoughts.

November stone: citrine

Citrine is a variety of quartz that comes in many shades of orange, ranging from yellow to brown. Its similarities to topaz make the two stones often confused.

Citrine, the birthstone of November , is said to be able to calm angry spirits and promote prosperity. It was used by the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, etc.

December Birthstone: Turquoise

Turquoise has been valued since time immemorial because of its distinctive blue color. However, several shades of turquoise are common, ranging from light blue to pastel blue-green. The December birthstone is very universal: from Persia to Egypt to Turkey, from the North American Indian tribes to the Aztecs, turquoise has historically been present and sought after everywhere.

Turquoise, which represents paradise, is appreciated for aesthetic reasons. But also because it was thought to protect its wearer. It was therefore used to decorate weapons, jewelry , and to make talismans.

Birthstone by astrological sign

The date of birth determines a person's astrological sign. There is also a stone associated with each sign. For example, for Capricorn the birthstone is ruby :

Birthstone	Rock
Ram	Hematite
Bull	Sapphire
Gemini	Agate
Cancer	Emerald
Lion	Onyx
Virgin	Carnelian
Balance	Peridot
Scorpio	Aquamarine
Sagittarius	Topaz
Capricorn	Ruby
Aquarius	Garnet
Fish	Amethyst

Find a jewel with your stone at Miller

The specialist in antique and luxury second-hand jewelry, Miller, has many signed and unsigned pieces that could feature your stone:

• Bracelet with birthstone
• Necklace
• Ring set with your stone
• Pendants
• Earrings

Taurus will be spoiled for choice among our range of sapphire jewelry. A birthstone necklace is the perfect personalized gift . Think of it for a birthday, Mother's Day, Christmas, Valentine's Day, etc.

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