Posted on November 14, 2008 - by Andrew
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?
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