Birthstones

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Around the world different cultures have had access to different ranges of stones and as a result birthstone lists can be inconsistent.

The following collection looks at four broad categories of birthstones; ayurvedic birthstones (influenced from old Indian tradition), modern birthstones (something of a marketing effort from the American association of jewellers), mystical birthstones (influenced by Tibetan tradition) and traditional birthstones (influenced heavily by old Polish tradition).

Ayurvedic Birthstones

January: Garnet

February: Amethyst

March: Bloodstone

April: Diamond

May: Agate

June: Pearl

August: Sapphire

September: Moonstone

October: Opal

November: Topaz

December: Ruby

Modern Birthstones

January: Garnet

February: Amethyst

March: Aquamarine

April: Diamond

May: Emerald

June: Moonstone (or Pearl)

July: Ruby

August: Peridot

September: Sapphire

October: Opal (or Tourmaline)

November: Topaz (or Citrine)

December: Turquoise (or blue Topaz)

Mystical Birthstones

January: Emerald

February: Bloodstone

March: Jade

April: Opal

May: Sapphire

June: Moonstone

July: Ruby

August: Diamond

September: Agate

October: Jasper

November: Pearl

December: Onyx

Traditional Birthstones

January: Garnet

February: Amethyst

March: Bloodstone (or Jasper)

April: Diamond (or Sapphire)

May: Emerald (or Agate)

June: Alexandrite (or Emerald)

July: Ruby (or Onyx)

August: Sardonyx (or Sapphire)

September: Sapphire (or Peridot)

October: Tourmaline (or Aquamarine)

November: Citrine (or Topaz)

December: Zircon (or Ruby)

Birthstones by the Day

Monday: Pearl

Tuesday: Garnet

Wednesday: Cymophane

Thursday: Emerald

Friday: Topaz

Saturday: Sapphire

Sunday: Ruby

In Pure Spirit

Do you carry a birthstone? What does it mean to you?