Birthstones

Many people find themselves getting very confused when they decide to try to find a birthstone, either for themselves or for a gift for someone else. This is not surprising when you consider that the whole idea of birthstones was invented by the Victorian jewelery industry in an effort to sell those gemstones that were in abundance at that particular time.

A closer look at the lists of birthstones produced (then and now) will reveal that there are almost as many different lists as there are there are birthstones, and it just so happens that the stones appearing on the list at any given time are those stones that happen to be in abundance at that time.

One of the most common reasons people give crystals is as a birthstone, however it all depends on where you decide to look up your birthstone as to which one you get!

The whole idea of the birthstone was cooked up by the Victorian jewellery industry to sell those gemstones that were in abundance at that particular time. A look at the lists of birthstones produced, will reveal that there were almost as many different lists as there were birthstones and it just so happened that the stones that appeared on the lists at any given time were those stones that just were in abundance then.

Add to this the fact that most people are unaware that there are different crystals for Birth, Sun and Moon stones and it's easy to see why people can get very confused as to which stone to give.

For example, if I just look at my own Month of October and do a quick Yahoo image search I get:- Opal, Cat's Eye, Tormaline, Pink Tourmaline and Rose Zircom from just four different image charts - and that's without even trying! Add to that the charts in Wikipedia and you find also Auquamarine, Peridot and Jasper. Now I know something about crystals being a Reiki healer who uses crystals in my work, if it confuses me what chance does a lay-person have just going into any of the many gift shops in all the usual tourist shops and seeing as many choices often in just one shop.

-------------------------------------

If you look up birthstones in Wikipedia you find (amongst other things) the following:-

[2]

Month	Traditional Birthstone(s)[4]	Modern Birthstone(s)[5]	Mystical Birthstone[3]	Ayurvedic Birthstone[3]
January	Garnet	Garnet	Emerald	Garnet
February	Amethyst	Amethyst	Bloodstone	Amethyst
March	Bloodstone, Jasper	Aquamarine	Jade	Bloodstone
April	Diamond, Sapphire	Diamond	Opal	Diamond
May	Emerald, Agate	Emerald	Sapphire	Agate
June	Alexandrite, Emerald	Moonstone, Pearl	Moonstone	Pearl
July	Ruby, Onyx	Ruby	Ruby	Ruby
August	Sardonyx, Carnelian	Peridot	Diamond	Sapphire
September	Sapphire, Peridot	Sapphire	Agate	Moonstone
October	Tourmaline, Aquamarine	Opal, Tourmaline	Jasper	Opal
November	Citrine, Topaz	Topaz, Citrine	Pearl	Topaz
December	Zircon, Ruby	Turquoise, Blue Topaz	Onyx	Ruby

By her who in January was born
No gem save garnets shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.

The February born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they, the amethyst will wear.

By her who in March was born
No gem save bloodstone shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.

She who from April dates her years,
diamonds shall wear,
lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow.

Who first beholds the light of day
In spring's sweet, flower month of May
And wears an emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and a loving wife.

By her who in June was born
No gem save pearls shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.

The gleaming ruby should adorn,
All those who in July are born,
For thus they'll be exempt and free,
From lover's doubts and anxiety.

Wear a peridot or for thee,
No conjugal fidelity,
The August born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved; alone.

A maiden born when autumn leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze,
A sapphire on her brow should bind;
To bring her joy and peace of mind.

October's child is born for woe,
And life's vicissitudes must know,
But lay an opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.

Who first comes to this world below
In dreary November's fog and snow,
Should prize the topaz amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.

If cold December gave you birth
The month of snow and ice and mirth
Place on your hand a turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate'er you do.

—Gregorian Birthstone Poems

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

T.B.C.

Birthstones

Carnelion

Honey Calcite

Bloodstone

Brazilian Agate

Amazonite