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Birthstones: the stone for each month

The birthstone for each month, according to the list set by American jewelers in 1912 and its additions through 2016.

The 12 months and their stones

  6. June

  8. August

  10. October

  11. November

  12. December

Sources: list adopted in Kansas City in August 1912 (G. F. Kunz, 1913); additions in 1952, 2002, and 2016.

Where birthstones come from

The idea of one stone per month comes from the high priest’s breastplate described in Exodus: twelve stones for twelve tribes. In the 1st century, the historian Flavius Josephus already linked them to the twelve months and the twelve signs. In 1913, Kunz compared eight ancient lists, Jewish, Roman, Arabic, or that of Isidore of Seville, which agree on amethyst for February but differ on many other months. In August 1912, in Kansas City, the national association of American jewelers adopted a single list, with an alternative stone for five months. It was extended in 1952 (alexandrite, citrine, pink tourmaline, zircon), in 2002 (tanzanite), and in 2016 (spinel). The United Kingdom has had its own list since 1937.

No stone has a proven effect on health: if you have a health concern, see a health professional.

Birthstones: your questions

Which birthstone list should you follow?

None is more “true” than another: they are conventions. The American list of 1912, extended since, is the most widespread in the trade; the older lists keep their historical interest. If two stones are offered for your month, choose the one whose color speaks to you: tradition does not decide.

Why do some months have two or three stones?

As early as 1912, five months received an alternative stone: aquamarine in March, moonstone in June, peridot in August, tourmaline in October, lapis lazuli in December. The revisions of 1952, 2002, and 2016 then added gems, so that some months now have three, like December with turquoise, zircon, and tanzanite.

Your month, your intention

The tool takes your birthstone into account to suggest three crystals.

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