The idea of wearing birthstones on your person has been popular across cultures and generations. You must have observed someone wearing birthstone jewellery or even come across some while shopping for trinkets or jewellery. There are birthstones dedicated to not only birth months but Zodiac signs and even every day of the week. In this article, we will explore in detail the history of birthstones and the recommended stones as per birth month, zodiac sign, and the day of the week.

History of Birthstones

Wearing stones for safety and power was mentioned in the Book of Exodus where the first high priest of the ancient Hebrew confederation wore a breastplate adorned with twelve stones. These stones were said to possess spiritual powers and bestowed safety and power. The stones each represented the twelve tribes of Israel. The tradition was passed down and people began wearing all the stones for protection. The twelve stones were further assigned to each month as per the affinity or characteristics associated with that particular month. As time went by, the custom of wearing birthstone jewellery assigned as per the month became common. 

In addition to Western astrology, many ancient Chinese and Indian texts too mention the power of gemstones and assign them to planets and days of the week. Chinese astrology recommends stones as per the birth year and month and Vedic astrology recommends stones based on the specific astrological chart created as per astral combination at the time of birth.  

Later on, the ‘National Association of Jewellers’ in the USA created a list of birthstones connected to and recommended for each month in 1912. The list has been frequently updated by now and include different birthstones or a combination of them for different months. Let us look into the birthstones by month, zodiac sign, and day of the week below.

a. Birthstones by Month

Birthstones by month constitute the following. 

1. January

Garnets are the birthstones connected to January month. Garnets range between 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. Garnets in red colour are a popular choice though they can come in a variety of colours. Wearing garnets as gemstones are believed to bring passion and happiness to the wearer. 

2. February

Amethyst is recommended for people born in February. Amethyst is a form of crystalline quartz and has a hardness score of 7 and is thus considered scratch resistant. These come in colour from light lilac to deep purple with a reddish hue. Wearing amethyst is recommended for getting relaxation and increasing intuition power.

3. March

Aquamarine and Bloodstone should be worn by persons born in March.

a. Aquamarine is a beryl stone with a hardness between 7.5 to 8. As the name implies it is named after the blue and blue-green colour of the sea. Wearing aquamarine is supposed to provide protection and enhance communication skills.

b. Bloodstone is cryptocrystalline quartz of the chalcedony family. It has a dark green colour with red spots like blood hence the name. Its hardness ranges between 6.5 to 7 and wearing it as a birthstone brings renewed energy and confidence to the wearer. 

4. April

Diamond is recommended to the persons born in April. Diamond needs no introduction. It is one of the most popular gemstones and also one of the hardest in the world at the Mohs scale of 10. Wearing a diamond brings love and long life and vitality to the wearer. 

5. May

Emerald is the birthstone assigned to May. Emerald is also a popular choice of gemstone worldwide. It has a beautiful green colour with a hardness ranging between 7.5 to 8. Wearing emerald as a birthstone is believed to bring love and bestow kindness and generosity to the wearer. 

 6. June

Persons born in June are spoilt for choices for birthstones. They can choose between Pearls, Moonstones, and Alexandrite.

a. Pearls have been a popular choice in jewellery for centuries now. Pearls are mostly whitish to cream in colour with a hardness scale ranging between 2.5 to 4.5. Wearing pearls is supposed to calm the mind and bring serenity to the wearer.

b. Moonstone belongs to the orthoclase feldspar family. Their colour ranges from nearly transparent to white and blue. Their hardness ranges between 6 to 6.5. Wearing moonstone is supposed to increase intuition power and make the wearer graceful. 

c. Alexandrite is a very precious stone that is known to change colour. They appear blue or green in sunlight and take a reddish and purple hue in yellow indoor light. They have a hardness of 8.5 and are believed to bring balance and joy to the life of the wearer. 

7. July

July-born persons should wear Ruby as their birthstone. Rubies are one of the most expensive gemstones having a variety of red colours. These stones score a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale and the wearer of this birthstone gets protection and gains vitality and strength. 

8. August

Sardonyx and Peridot should be worn by the August-born people. 

a. Sardonyx is the traditional birthstone linked to August. It is a form of chalcedony quartz with hardness between 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale. It has a reddish-brown colour with multi-colored stripes. Wearing it is supposed to strengthen the courage and increase the communication skills of the wearer.

b. Peridot is the modern August birthstone coming in different ranges of green with hardness ranging between 6.5 to 7. It has been known to mankind for centuries. Wearing it as a birthstone brings protection and knowledge to the wearer.

9. September

Sapphire is the recommended birthstone for the September born people. Though blue sapphires have always caught our fancy, yet these gemstones come in several other colours too. They possess a hardness of 9 and wearing them bestows the power of self-expression to the wearer. 

10. October

Opal and Tourmaline are the birthstones for October-born persons. 

a. Opal is the traditional birthstone for October. Opal comes in a variety of colours with creamy white being a popular option. They have a hardness between 5.5 to 6.5 and wearing it is believed to bestow protection and enhance the beauty of the person.

b. Tourmaline is the modern birthstone for October. Tourmaline comes in a variety of colours with hardness ranging between 7 to 7.5. Wearing a tourmaline provides protection and increases the creativity of the wearer. 

11. November

Topaz and Citrine are the birthstones associated with November. 

a. Topaz is the traditional birthstone for November born. Though it is found in several colours blue and golden yellow are popular options. It has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale and wearing it bestows strength and intelligence to the wearer.

b. Citrine is the modern birthstone for November-born people. Citrine is crystalline quartz mostly found in yellow and orange-red colour. It has a hardness of 7 and wearing it is supposed to bring an abundance of material possessions and happiness in life to the wearer.

12.December

Turquoise and Blue Zircon are birthstones connected to December. 

a. Turquoise is the traditional birthstone for the December born and has been    used as an ornament since ancient times. It is a phosphate of aluminum and copper, is opaque, and comes in blue and green colour with the hardness of just under 6. Wearing it brings health and good fortune to the wearer.

b. Blue Zircon is the modern birthstone for December. It is a natural stone and should not be confused with lab-made cubic zirconia. It has a hardness between 6 to 7.5 and wearing it imparts wisdom and protects the wearer.

c. Tanzanite is also considered the birthstone for December born. Tanzanites are found in beautiful tones of blue, purple, and violet. A unique fact about them is that they are mined only near Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, thus named after their country of origin. Tanzanite range in hardness from 6 to 7 and wearing them is believed to enhance the power of intuition and herald spiritual awakening to the wearer.

Birthstones by Astrological Sign

Western astrology also prescribes gemstones based on zodiac Sun signs. These are given below.

1. Aries 

People born between Mar 21 to Apr 20 belong to the Aries sign. Bloodstone is the recommended gemstone that brings vitality and agility to the wearer. 

2. Taurus 

Apr 21 to May 21 born people are assigned the Taurus sun sign. They should wear sapphire for enhancing their self-expression skills.

3. Gemini 

May 22 to Jun 21 born people have Gemini Sun Sign. They should wear Agate for bringing balance and stability to their life. 

4. Cancer 

Cancerians are born between Jun 22 to Jul 22. Cancer sign people should wear emerald which brings them love and makes them generous and gracious.

5.  Leo

Jul 23 to Aug 22 born people have Leo Sun sign. Leo is considered the king among the zodiac signs. Onyx is the recommended birthstone for increasing strength and bringing calm to the wearer.

6. Virgo 

People born between Aug 23 to Sep 23 belong to the Virgo Sun sign. They should wear Carnelian for confidence and bringing passion to their life.

7. Libra 

Sep 24 to Oct 23 born people come under Libra Sign. They should wear Peridot for a radiant personality and bringing purpose to their life. 

8. Scorpio 

Scorpios are born between Oct 24 to Nov 22. They should wear Topaz for increased strength and enhanced intelligence.

9. Sagittarius 

The archers are born between Nov 23 to Dec 21. They should wear Turquoise for good health and fortune.

10. Capricorn 

Dec 22 to Jan 20 born people are assigned Capricorn Sun sign. Their birthstone is Ruby which bestows protection and vitality to the wearer.

11. Aquarius 

Aquarians are people born between Jan 21 to Feb 19. Their birthstone is Garnet. Wearing it increases the vitality and passion of the wearer.

12. Pisces 

Pisceans are people born between Feb 20 to Mar 20. They should wear Amethyst as a birthstone. It is believed to bring calm and provide mental and physical healing to the wearer. 

Birthstones by Day of the Week

Birthstones are also assigned as per the day of the week the native is born. Different planets are supposed to govern each day of the week. The classification of days, their associated planets, and recommended birthstones are as below. 

1. Monday 

Monday is believed to be governed by Moon and Moonstone should be worn by Monday-born people for increasing intuition and giving purpose to life. 

2. Tuesday 

Tuesdays are ruled by planet Mars and Tuesday-born people should wear Ruby for getting passion and energy. 

3. Wednesday

Wednesday is governed by planet Mercury and people born on this day should wear Emerald for mental calm and balanced personality. 

4. Thursday 

Thursdays are ruled by the planet Jupiter and Thursday born people should wear yellow sapphire for increased happiness and prosperity.

5. Friday 

Fridays are ruled by planet Venus and the Friday born should wear a Diamond for getting true love and for enhancing beauty and grace. 

6. Saturday 

As the name implies Saturday is governed by Saturn. People born on this day should wear blue sapphire for good health and energy. 

7. Sunday 

The planetary ruler Sun rules over Sunday, the day of rest. The Sunday-born natives should wear Citrine for a radiating personality and getting abundant material possessions.

Working with Your Birth Stone

Now that you have figured out your birthstone there are several ways to get their benefits. You can use the birthstones as a home decoration piece or use them as a focus point during meditation. But the most effective way and popular choice are to wear them as jewellery. That way you can carry the birthstones and reap their benefits all the time. 

About AËLRA JOAILLERIE Birthstone Collection

AËLRA JOAILLERIE offers a wide range of gorgeous multi-stone jewellery combining diamonds with a variety of birthstones. The birthstones include Rubies, Sapphires, Tourmaline, Tanzanite, Citrine, and Amethyst among several others. The jewellery comes in several beautiful and exquisite designs and is set in 9, 14, and 18k white, red, and yellow gold. If you liked this article and are planning on buying birthstone jewellery for yourself or a loved one, do browse through our summer collection 2021.