The birthstone chart
| Month | US (2019) | UK (2013) | US (1912) | 15th–20th century |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Garnet | Garnet | Garnet |
| February | Amethyst | Amethyst | Amethyst | Amethyst, hyacinth, pearl |
| March | Aquamarine, bloodstone | Aquamarine, bloodstone | Bloodstone, aquamarine | Bloodstone, jasper |
| April | Diamond | Diamond, rock crystal | Diamond | Diamond, sapphire |
| May | Emerald | Emerald, chrysoprase | Emerald | Emerald, agate |
| June | Pearl, moonstone, alexandrite | Pearl, moonstone | Pearl, moonstone | Cat's eye, turquoise, agate |
| July | Ruby | Ruby, carnelian | Ruby | Turquoise, onyx |
| August | Peridot, spinel, sardonyx | Peridot, sardonyx | Sardonyx, peridot | Sardonyx, carnelian, moonstone, topaz |
| September | Sapphire | Sapphire, lapis lazuli | Sapphire | Chrysolite |
| October | Opal, tourmaline | Opal | Opal, tourmaline | Opal, aquamarine |
| November | Topaz, citrine | Topaz, citrine | Topaz | Topaz, pearl |
| December | Turquoise, zircon, tanzanite | Tanzanite, turquoise | Turquoise, lapis lazuli | Bloodstone, ruby |
Why there are several lists
Birthstones look ancient, but the lists in use today were set by jewellers. In August 1912 the American National Association of Jewelers, now Jewelers of America, met in Kansas City and adopted a standard list. It was updated in 1952, when alexandrite was added to June, citrine to November and pink tourmaline to October, and December's lapis lazuli was swapped for zircon. Tanzanite joined December in 2002 and spinel joined August in 2016. Britain's National Association of Goldsmiths set its own list in 1937.
The idea is older: the historian Josephus, in the first century, linked the twelve stones of the High Priest's breastplate in the Book of Exodus to the twelve months. But the stones on today's lists have little to do with the breastplate, and the older customs varied from place to place. Several months have more than one stone, so a birthday usually gives a choice: a cheaper alternative, or a different colour.
Questions
Which list should I use?
The current US list is the one most jewellers in North America follow, and the UK list is the one in British shops. They agree on most months; where they differ, either is right.
What is the birthstone for June?
Pearl and moonstone on every modern list, with alexandrite added in the US in 1952.
Why does December have three stones?
Turquoise is the oldest, zircon replaced lapis lazuli in 1952, and tanzanite was added in 2002.
Sources
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