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Birthdays
are always special days since each one marks a specific stage
in a man or woman’s journey through life. And traditional
birthstone gems are a perfect way to mark that special day.
Colorful
birthstone gems have centuries of history behind them as well
as a tradition of offering legendary powers and revealing
unique personality traits for those born in each calendar
month.
This
belief goes back to the writings of Flavius Josephus a Roman
historian in the First Century AD. But the history of birthstones
actually goes back 3,300 years to the twelve precious gems
on the breastplate of Aaron, high priest of the Israelites.
In
the middle ages, birthstones, along with their traditional
virtues, became connected to the twelve signs of the zodiac.
And in the 1700’s specific gems were linked to the 12
months of the year. The official list of birthstone gems used
in America today was adopted in 1912 and has remained virtually
unchanged for over 90 years.
Birthstone
jewelry has always been popular with both men and women and
comes in many exciting forms. For women, there are elegant
birthstone necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, pins, and
pendants. For men, birthstone cufflinks, tie bars, money clips,
and shirt studs are welcome gifts.
Here are the official birthstones and their significance for
each month of the year.
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JANUARY
- GARNET
Garnet
is traditionally regarded as the gem offering constancy,
faith, and truth for those of January birth. It is
usually thought of as a ruby look-alike. But garnet
comes in a wide variety of brilliant colors…every
color but blue.
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FEBRUARY
- AMETHYST
For
those born in February, sincerity is the personal trait
usually associated with this beautiful form of precious
quartz. Sparkling and transparent amethyst comes in
rich colors ranging from pale lilac to deep purple.
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MARCH
- AQUAMARINE and BLOODSTONE
Courage
is the personal virtue represented by these two ancient
and very different birthstones for those born in March.
Beautiful blue aquamarine is transparent like the sea.
Ancient mariners treasured it as a talisman on long
ocean voyages. Venerable, opaque, dark green bloodstone
is named for the vivid red flashes that dot its surface
and has been a favorite for men’s rings since
the Middle Ages. |
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APRIL
- DIAMOND
The
brilliantly clear, hard, and pure white diamond has
long been a symbol of innocence and invincibility for
those of April birth. And because of its durability,
diamond was also believed to strengthen love and bring
marital happiness. This has made it the world’s
most popular gem for wedding and engagement rings. |
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MAY
- EMERALD
For
centuries, the beautiful grass-green emerald has symbolized
love, success, and new life for those of May birth.
Precious emerald has the color of springtime and was
prized for centuries by kings and queens. It was a favorite
of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt and Alexander the Great. |
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JUNE
- PEARL and ALEXANDRITE
Good
health, a happy marriage, and good luck are virtues
offered to these two precious gems to those born in
June. The lustrous white pearl has been a symbol of
love and happiness since ancient times. And the sparkling
alexandrite, named for Czar Alexander II of Russia,
can change from green to red and was believed to bring
good luck to those wearing it. |
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JULY
- RUBY
Passion
and power have long been believed to be personal attributes
offered by the fiery red ruby to those of July birth.
Long prized for its hot, glowing color since earliest
times, ruby is hard and durable with a lively sparkle
that is bright and dazzling. |
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AUGUST
- PERIDOT and SARDONYX
Courage
and happiness are the primary attributes offered by
these two ancient gems to those with August birthdays.
Lovely, transparent, yellow-green peridot was once known
as “the gem of the sun.” And the red-brown
sardonyx has been a favorite for men’s signet
rings since Egyptian times. |
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SEPTEMBER
- SAPPHIRE
Wisdom
and clear thinking are the personal traits traditionally
given to the September born by the beautiful blue sapphire
ever since wise King Solomon adopted it for his royal
seal. In addition to blue, sapphire also comes in every
color except red. So those born in September can choose
almost any color they like. |
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OCTOBER
- OPAL and TOURMALINE
Hope
and harmony are the special characteristics of those
born in October, which have long been symbolized by
these two vividly colored birthstones. Opal flashes
with all the fiery iridescent colors of the rainbow.
Clear and sparkling tourmaline is famous for its incredible
range of brilliant colors. Both lively gems give a cheerful
lift to those of October birth. |
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NOVEMBER
- TOPAZ and CITRINE
Long
life and fidelity are the traditional virtues offered
to the November born by these two sunny yellow gems.
Both topaz and citrine are bright, sparkling, and beautifully
transparent. And each comes in a cheerful lemony color.
But topaz also occurs in red, pink, and peach tones
as well. |
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DECEMBER
- TURQUOISE, BLUE ZIRCON, and TANZANITE
Prosperity
is the customary promise made to those born in December
by these three lustrous blue birthstone gems. They range
in color from the bright sky-blue of ancient turquoise,
to the glittering icy-blue hue of Biblical zircon, to
the deep, rich purple-blue of tanzanite, a new birthstone
only discovered in 1967 and now one of the world’s
most popular gems.
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