Gifts of jewelry speak to one’s heart with great sentiment. Many believe that a gemstone is symbolic of honor, power, healing and love. Throughout history, certain gems are associated with religion, mythology, astrology and the current list of birthstones. The recent list of birthstones only dates back to 1912, when the American National Retail Jeweler’s Association (ANRJA) contrived a modern variation to make selling gems widely profitable.

Finding a perfect gift for a loved one does not mean having to “stick to” the month they were born. After all, a gem of chosen worth can be applicable to many situations in a person’s life. Different stones represent different powers, from fertility; passion; prosperity and confidence; to health; attractiveness; or longevity. So, why not buy a gemstone that is relevant to the individual? It is believed that a gift of great worth is the best way to unleash the power of the universe. The following list is a condensed version of the gemstones and the beliefs behind them. It may help you choose the right birthstone.

 

January Garnet: Shades of garnet vary from brownish to pink. The common color used for most jewelry is blood red. Success, courage, illumination, protection from evil, and safety are powers associated with this forceful stone. Garnet is plentiful. Therefore its price is typically reasonable. It also has industrial and scientific uses. Many states in the U.S. have plentiful supplies of garnet.February Amethyst: A bright purple stone with pink crystals, the February birthstone is believed to be the gem of truth. Addicts may be able to overcome personal struggles with the power of amethyst. It is also believed to provide protection from skin conditions and baldness. Much of this gorgeous violet-colored stone can be found on three continents. Its ampleness attributes to the inexpensive price.

 

 

March Aquamarine: At first glance the very pale blue could be mistaken for a diamond. Its color is faint and flawless. Early sailors placed aquamarine under their pillows for restful sleep and safe arrival to their destinations. Trust, sympathy, harmony and friendship are traits connected with this stone. The ocean’s color brings benevolence to its wearers. Plentiful stores can be found in Brazil and other South American countries. Aquamarine is another affordable choice. 

April Diamond: Lucky April babies will throughout their lives be fortunate. Arguably considered to be a “girl’s best friend”, diamonds have caused more controversy than any other gem. Less than 10% of all diamonds mined make the cut to be fashioned into a wearable piece of jewelry. Nevertheless, a diamond signifies eternal love and longevity. It has come to be the universal symbol of marriage, commitment, supreme strength, and a promise of forever. Diamonds are the hardest of all valuable gems. Supplies can be found throughout the world in modest quantities. Unfortunately the diamond market is nearly monopolized, making the cost of a diamond the most expensive of all other stones.

 

 

May  Emerald: Rolling green pastures cannot compare to the gorgeous green of an emerald. Springtime brings new growth. Appropriately, emeralds are the birthstone of May. A gem of respect, skillfulness, wisdom and patience, emerald is also a symbol of fidelity and eternal youth. Emeralds are believed to bring good fortune. However, history reveals stories of deceit and betrayal due to their high value. Famously, Colombian emeralds are revered as the world’s best of today. The beautiful gem can be traced back to early Roman and Egyptian times, suggesting other countries throughout the world having supplies. Nevertheless, the cost for a clear, well cut emerald will be a pretty penny.

 

 

June  Pearl: The only birthstone found in an animal, pearls are delicate round-shaped collectibles. Found in oysters, the pearls are made when secreted nacre is produced to alleviate an irritating grain of sand. Sounds painful, yet divers found these gems through sheer luck and now harvest them intentionally. One who wears pearls could be wealthy and healthy. Pearls are not an everyday stone due to their fragile nature. A black pearl is considered rare and even more expensive than those of an iridescent white hue.

 

 

July Ruby: Fiery red July stones are rich and passionate. Wearers are lovers, strong leaders and confident. Sometimes used as an alternate engagement gem, ruby wearers signify great devotion of the heart. Ruby is also one of the first known of all precious gems. Their distinct use in jewelry can be traced back many thousands of years but are still costly, even by modern day standards. 

August Peridot: The lime green color has shades of yellow and tan. Some find the color repulsive, but green lovers or those daring to be different think of it as unique. Peridot was once known as the “evening emerald” and thought to draw new energies to physical form. It was also was supposed to provide protection from evil. Huge mines provide plentiful amounts of peridot. Despite terrible mines there is enough to last, making this citrus-colored stone relatively affordable.

 

September  Sapphire: Popularly known as a dark blue colored gem, sapphires actually range from black to colorless. Second in hardness only to a diamond, they are widely known as one of the most precious of all the birthstones. No two are exactly the same. It was thought that wearers of sapphire would be protected long after death and it would not sparkle if worn by someone evil. In marriage they have meaning of sincerity. Most royal families continue to substitute sapphires as engagement rings because of their scarcity compared to diamonds.

 

 

October  Opal: This iridescent gem changes color in different lighting. The “fire” of an opal is actually hues of green, pink, red, blue and offers a mesmerizing rainbow effect. Superstitions warn opal wearers not to purchase this stone for themselves as it is considered to bring poor luck. Opal must be a gift in order for its powers to work. It stimulates imagination, dreams and visions. People who need luck in love must be given an opal to bring someone special into their lives because it stimulates emotions of the soul. While most of the world’s supply of opals come from Australia, the prices range from really cheap to outrageous depending on how much fire the stone has.

 

 

November  Citrine: It’s usually yellow, or sometimes orange. Citrine falls into the quartz family. The name comes from its color, a warm hue from a fresh piece of fruit. Supposed to bring prosperity and good fortune, citrine also heals and uplifts the spirit. It guarded against poison or sudden deaths, made men attractive and women fertile. With plenty of quartz available, this is a beautiful gem at an affordable cost.

 

 

December Blue Topaz: How appropriate the cold month at the end of the year has a cool blue color. Topaz also can be seen in shades of pink, red, green and orange but is often radiation-treated to enhance their real color. The mystics accredit topaz to relieve insomnia. It also is associated with strength, a calm demeanor, warning the wearer of danger and possibly offering invisibility. South America and South Africa are known to have abounding surpluses of topaz. It is generally a middle-priced gem that is quite popular.

No matter what month a person’s birthday falls, a gemstone is a precious gift that becomes sentimental to the recipient. The meaning behind each gem makes it the ultimate present for any occasion. For thousands of years it has been the most valuable offering that one human can give another. That tradition continues today, as a gem becomes a cherished token of lasting, eternal love.