Birthstone Jewelry

Jewelry is an ever popular choice of gift for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions, and birthstone jewelry is always a good bet for a special present. Birthstone jewelry is available as necklaces, rings, charms, bracelets, watches, and is appropriate for everyone from the young to the old.

Gemstones have been linked to astrology and certain months of the year since ancient times. Different factors determined which gemstone was associated with which month. Some used different superstitions attached to different gemstones to link them to a month, while others relied on physical characteristics such as the color of the stone. Many selected the gemstones associated with different birth months from two lists in the Exodus and Revelations sections of the Bible.

Although birthstone jewelry has been around for centuries, there were many variations in the type of gemstones chosen to represent each month. It wasn't until the 1912 that an official list was devised by a national association of American jewelers, appropriately named Jewelers of America, and adopted by most in the jewelry industry, particularly in English speaking countries. The list gives a primary birthstone for each month as well as one or more alternative stones.

There are different stones associated with each month. The birthstones are:

• January - Garnet is the January birthstone. While most associate deep red stones with garnets, they can be other colors, including brown, orange and even green. January's alternate birthstone is rose quartz.

• February - Beautiful amethyst is the stone for February and onyx is the alternative.

• March - The March gemstone is aquamarine. The second stone for March is bloodstone, also known as red jasper.

• April - Ever-popular diamonds are the stones for those born in April, with rock crystal serving as an alternate.

• May - Lovely green emerald is the May stone and chrysoprase is the alternate.

• June - June has not one but three birthstones - pearl is the primary stone, with alexandrite and moonstone as alternates.

• July - Appropriately, fiery red ruby is the stone for hot July. Carnelian is an alternate birthstone.

• August - The August stone is peridot, with sardonyx listed as the August alternate.

• September - Sapphires are the stones for September birthdays. Although commonly blue, sapphires can also be pink, green, purple, yellow or orange. Lapis Lazuli is the alternate.

• October - Opal is the birthstone for the month of October, with tourmaline the alternate.

• November - Yellow topaz is November's primary stone and citrine is the alternate.

• December - For those born in festive December, turquoise and alternates tanzanite and blue topaz are the stones used in birthstone jewelry.

Another type of birthstone jewelry is jewelry made specifically for mothers and grandmothers. A birthstone for each child or grandchild is included, making a unique and meaningful piece of jewelry. Rings and pendants are the most popular types of mother's jewelry. This type of jewelry makes a wonderful Mother's Day gift that a mother or grandmother can wear and cherish for years.

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• September Birthstone Necklaces
• February Birthstone
• December Birthstone
• November Birthstone
• May Birthstone