Most gem scholars agree that the tradition of birthstones arose from the Breastplate of Aaron: a ceremonial religious garment set with twelve gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of Israel and also corresponded with the twelve signs of the zodiac and the twelve months of the year.
Because ancient people did not always classify gemstones by mineral species like we do, there is some debate about which gemstones were set in the breastplate and why. Because of this, different cultures around the world have developed different birth stone lists. The modern day list that you know is only the most recent list: some older lists still exist. Some also argue that the proper way to assign gemstones is according to astrological sign and not month. We think it is more fun to choose the gemstone that speaks to you from all the possibilities. Of course it is hard to keep track of all the lists. Enter the Gem-o-Matic! Select your birthdate or other significant date or anniversary and the Gem-o-Matic will give you the list of all the birthstones that correspond to that date!
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Garnet- January's Birthstone
Garnet is the birthstone for the month of January. The word "Garnet" is derived from the Latin word granatus, meaning like a grain. It refers to the mode of occurrence where crystals resemble grains or seeds embedded in a matrix. Garnet is a family of minerals having similar physical and crystalline properties.
Garnet have high indices of refraction and are very hard with variety of colors. They are transparent, lack cleavage and are quite durable. Garnets vary greatly in colors and varieties being rare and beautiful. Specific garnets have distinct properties and much to offer as both gemstones and mineral specimens. Garnets offer enough variety in appearance to suit all kinds of requirements. They are available in all colors except blue and are the anniversary gemstones for the second year of marriage.
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Amethyst- February's Birthstone
Amethyst is the birthstone for the month of February. A popular gemstone, Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz. The word "Amethyst" is derived from Greek word meaning "not drunken". Amethyst was considered to be a strong antidote against drunkenness. And the gemstone still symbolizes sobriety.
Amethyst occur as long prismatic crystals with six sided pyramids at either end. As a mineral specimen, amethyst is popular for its purple color that has long been considered a royal color. Thus, the stone is popular through the history. It ranges from pale lilac to nearly black purple shades. The highest quality of amethyst is transparent and is sometimes heat treated to create Citrine. It is available in a enormous range of calibrated sizes and shapes, cut in standardized dimensions. It symbolizes peace, protection and tranquility and is the anniversary gemstone for the sixth year of marriage.
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Aquamarine: March's Gemstone
Aquamarine is the birthstone for the month of March. The birthstone derives its name from "sea water and is available in light blue, pale blues or blue-green stone colors. It is said to have strong charm when it is immersed in water. Aquamarine belongs to the Beryl family of gemstones and is a big and durable gemstone. Available in larger sizes, Aquamarine is truly dramatic when cut in rectangular or oval shapes.
Aquamarine is believed to have a soothing influence on land particularly on married couples. Its power helps married couples to work out their differences ensuring a long and fruitful marriage. The birthstone is a universal symbol of youth, fidelity, hope and health. Aquamarine gives knowledge, foresight and assists the person in his inspirations. It is the anniversary gemstone for the 19th year of marriage.
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Diamond: April's Gemstone
Diamond is the birthstone for the month of April. It derives its name from the Greek word "adamas" meaning unconquerable-the eternity of love. Diamond is composed of the single element carbon and is the hardest and purest gemstones known to man. Besides having spiritual and magical properties, diamond has a rarity factor also. Diamond is a colorless stone. However, some varieties of brown, yellow, green, blue, pink, red, gray and black are also found depending on the impurities present in the stone. It is the anniversary gemstone for the 10th and 60th years of marriage
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Emerald: May's Gemstone
Emerald is the birthstone for the month of May and derives its name from the Greek word "smaragdos" meaning green. Emerald is a green to blue green variety of the mineral Beryl and its color ranges from a deep grass green to yellow green and blue-tinges mixed with deep shades of green.
Emerald is clouded with many inclusions and the nature of these inclusions is indicative of the source of the emerald. The ancients believed that it helped sharpen the wearer's eyesight and mind. It is also said to provide the power to predict the future. Emerald is the anniversary gemstone for the 20th and 35th years of marriage.
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Cultured Pearl: June's Gemstone
Cultured Pearl is the birthstone for the month of June. It is formed in shellfish as a reactant to irritants. Cultured pearls are formed by adding a piece of shell inside an oyster of mussel. Pearl is also unique and the only gem that can be utilized in jewelry as soon as it is found. The other gems need to be fashioned and polished before they are used.
Pearls are less durable than other gems and are sensitive to acids, dryness and humidity. As the luster or "orient" of the pearl is higher, pearl becomes more and more valuable. The oriental pearl is known as the gem of the moon and has been recognized as the emblem of modesty, chastity and purity.
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Ruby: July's Gemstone
Ruby is the birthstone for the month of July. The red color of the ruby is due to traces of chromium. Rubies are often heat treated to permanently improve their color and clarity. Ruby is the anniversary gemstone for the 15th and 40th years of marriage.
It is very uncommon to find large sized rubies, as they are very scarce and costly, more than 2 to 3 times a diamond of equal size and quality. While deciding upon a ruby purchase, it is very significant to carefully see the size, quality, color and price as they are closely related. They grow in crystal form belonging to the hexagonal family of shapes, before they are cut and polished.
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Peridot: August's Gemstone
Peridot is the birthstone for the month of August. Peridot, the volcanic gem, is a transparent lime or olive green. It is a gem variety of the mineral Chrysolite or Olivene and the anniversary gemstone for the 16th year of marriage.
Peridot symbolizes eloquence and persuasiveness ans is believed to be a powerful amulet against all evil, as well as a remedy for sinus problems. In earlier times, Peridot was useful for calming raging angers and nervous afflictions. The ancient Romans used Peridot to promote quiet sleep.
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Sapphire: September's Gemstone
Sapphire is the birthstone for the month of September. Sapphire is a variety of corundum or aluminum oxide and are available in every color but red- blue, bright blue, golden yellow, reddish-orange, violet etc. The most valuable and popular sapphires have a medium intense, vivid royal blue color. Some sapphires do change their colors between blue and violet depending on the light. It is the anniversary gemstone for the 5th and 45th years of marriage.
Sapphires are generally cut in cushion shape, rounded rectangle or an oval shape. However, fancy sapphires also have round brilliant cuts and a wide variety of shapes like: triangles, squares, marquises, pear shapes, cabochon cut, smooth domes etc.
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Opal: October's Gemstone
Opal is the birthstone for the month of October. It derives its name from the Roman word opalus and the Greek word opallios meaning "to see a change of color." Australia is famous for the precious white and black opal. Other fine varieties of Opal are: fire opal, the bright red, reddish-yellow and orange body colored opal.
Opal is a noncrystalline form of silica that displays a high degree of internal organization. Opal has the ability to refract and reflect specific wavelengths of light. It is brittle, heat sensitive and gets scratched easily.
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Citrine: November's Gemstone
Citrine is the birthstone for the month of November. It is yellow quartz with a hardness of 7. It derives its name from the French "citron" meaning lemon and thus has a juicy lemon color. Citrine gets scratched easily and often permanently changes its color if left in the sunlight for sometime. This golden quartz is a very durable and easily available stone, thus most affordable.
The colors range from yellow to gold, orange and brown shades of transparent quartz. It is the heated form of the gemstone Amethyst. In ancient times, Citrine was carried as a protection against snake venom and evil thoughts. The dark orange color of Citrineis the most valued color. Citrine is generally inexpensive than amethyst and is available in a wide range of calibrated sizes and shapes, including very large sizes.
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Blue Topaz: December's Gemstone
Blue Topaz is the birthstone for the month of December. It is the anniversary gemstone for the 4th year of marriage. A beautiful light blue stone, Topaz is less expensive than aquamarine and comes in a variety of colors such as blue, yellow, pink, brown, green and clear.
The most popular topaz is a giant specimen set in the Portuguese Crown, the Braganza. Blue topaz has become a popular alternative in recent years for those who prefer faceted stones. Clear topaz is commonly irradiated and heat-treated to become other colors such as blue. Yellow and brown topaz is often heat-treated to become pink topaz and natural pink topaz is rare.
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