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Gifting Jewelry? What is their traditional birthstone?

birthstone
 
 
Jewelry always makes a nice gift, but sometimes it can be hard to decide what gemstone to buy. Diamonds are a favorite standby, especially for those special rings, and diamond eternity rings and engagement rings are a familiar sight. If you are stuck for ideas, you might consider the person’s birthstone as a possibility.

You would be able to buy custom birthstone earrings online that would be the perfect gift.

Each of us has a birthstone dictated by the month in which we were born according to the Gregorian calendar. In fact, there is a popular rhyme (by an anonymous author) that was first published in 1870, for each of the twelve months identifying that month’s birthstone and why it should be worn.

The traditional birthstones are:

January – Garnet: a symbol of eternity, faith and truth. The Gregorian rhyme warns that January’s child should wear no gemstone other than a garnet to ensure ‘constancy, true friendship and fidelity.’

February – Amethyst: believed to bring luck, the amethyst is a symbol of wit and health that will bring ‘sincerity and peace of mind, freedom from passion and from care’ to the wearer.

March – Aquamarine/Bloodstone: both stones are associated with March. Aquamarine is said to bring happiness and understanding while if those born in March wear a bloodstone they ‘shall be wise’ and ‘in days of peril firm and brave.’

April – Diamond: representing courage eternity and health, the diamond should be worm by April’s child ‘lest bitter tears for vain repentance flow; this stone emblem of innocence is known.’

May – Emerald: another symbol of goodness, fidelity and love. Anyone born in May who wears an emerald ‘all her life shall be a loved and happy wife.’

June – Pearl: standing for nobility, peace, and beauty, the pearl (which is really too delicate to be worn on a ring) has replaced agate as June’s birthstone. If you prefer agate then you will  ‘health, wealth and long life command.’ If you haven’t taken a look at them yet, you can do it on birthstone.guide/june-birthstones.

July – Ruby: representing strength of character and enthusiasm, the ruby has a long association with love and those born in July who wear a ruby will ‘be exempt and free from love’s anxiety.’

August – Sardonyx: reputed bestow courage and victory on the battlefield, sardonyx is also said to give powers of persuasiveness. According to the rhyme, however, the ‘August-born without this stone, ’tis said must live unloved and lone.’ Peridot is now a common substitute.

September – Sapphire: a symbol of truth and sincerity, a sapphire should be worn on the brow of the September-born as ‘twill cure diseases of the mind.’

October – Opal: a stone associated with hope, purity and health, the October’s child lays an opal on her breast then though she is ‘born for woe…hope will lull those woes to rest.’ Like opal, it is not a good choice for rings.

November – Topaz: a symbol of wisdom, sincerity and courage, the topaz is an ‘emblem of friends and lovers true.’

December – Turquoise: a lucky stone that brings connotations of love and happiness, wearing turquoise will ensure that ‘success will bless whate’er you do.’

Birthstones add a special meaning to any ring, but of the stones in this list don’t suit there are other lists based on different traditions, so you should be able to find stunning birthstone jewelry to suit.

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Rosey

Wednesday 24th of July 2013

I'm glad Alexandrite is shown for June. Most write-ups don't include it anymore, and that's what it always was when I was growing up. :)

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