Birthstones :: Monthly Birthstone List

So you think you know your birthstone? Read the birthstones list and you'll discover... No matter what month you were born in, you may have more birthstones jewelry choices than you think.

Ancient Origins of Modern Birth Stones

Most gem scholars trace the origins of our modern birthstones list to the time of the ancient Hebrews. For example, there is a "breastplate of judgement" which Moses described. It included 12 gem stones, one stone for each of the 12 tribes of Israel.

There is another description, this time from the Book of Revelations, that also describes 12 gem stones.

According to my sources, these two lists were combined. Those 12 gemstones were listed in order to become the birthstones list for our monthly calendar.

That birthstones list looked like this:

• January birthstone -- Garnet
• February birthstone -- Amethyst
• March birthstones -- Bloodstone or Jasper
• April birthstones -- Sapphire or Diamond
• May birthstone -- Emerald
• June birthstone -- Agate
• July birthstone -- Turquoise
• August birthstone -- Carnelian
• September birthstone -- Crysolite
• October birthstone -- Beryl
• November birthstone --Topaz
• December birthstone -- Ruby

These were the commonly accepted birth stones until 1912.



Changes to the Birth Stone List

In 1912, the American National Retail Jewelers Association (ANRJA) changed the list of birthstones. They changed the birth stones to be more financially beneficial to the jewelry industry.

In 1938, the American Gem Society (AGS) adopted the list. When they did, they added one new birthstone. Citrine.

In 1952 this list of birthstones changed again.

This is almost the complete list of birthstones by month that we use today:

• January birthstone -- Garnet
• February birthstone -- Amethyst
• March birthstones -- Aquamarine or Bloodstone
• April birthstone -- Diamond
• May birthstone -- Emerald
• June birthstones -- Pearl, Moonstone or Alexandrite
• July birthstone -- Ruby
• August birthstones -- Peridot or Sardonyx
• September birthstone -- Blue Sapphire
• October birthstones -- Opal or Pink Tourmaline
• November birthstones --Topaz or Citrine
• December birthstones -- Turquoise or Zircon

I'll check the date, I think it was sometime in 2003 that ANRJA added one final birthstone to the list. They added Tanzanite as another December birthstone.