The tradition of associating specific gemstones with each month of the year is a practice steeped in history, culture, and evolving commerce. While many months are linked to a single, definitive gemstone, a significant number are associated with two or even three options, offering a fascinating array of choices for those born in those months. This multiplicity is not arbitrary; it is the result of a long evolutionary process, driven by factors such as gemstone availability, affordability, and the desire to incorporate new and culturally significant discoveries into an established system. Months including June, October, November, and December are officially recognized in modern charts as having multiple birthstones, with some sources also extending this to March and August.
This article will explore the six months that currently have two or more birthstones, detailing their historical backgrounds, gemological properties, and the reasons behind their selection. It will also address the cultural and symbolic meanings associated with each gemstone, helping readers make informed choices when selecting birthstone jewelry.
History and Lore of Dual Birthstone Traditions
The concept of birthstones is ancient and deeply rooted in cultural and religious traditions. The earliest known record of this practice comes from the Breastplate of Aaron, described in the Old Testament, which featured twelve gemstones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Over centuries, this religious association evolved, and by the 15th century in Poland, a tradition had emerged of wearing a different gemstone each month, a practice that closely resembles today's modern birthstone associations.
The formalization of a standardized list, however, is a more recent development. In 1912, the American National Association of Jewelers (now known as Jewelers of America) convened to create a definitive list of modern birthstones. This list was designed to be commercially practical and was later adopted in 1952 by the Jewelry Industry Council of America. It designated a single birthstone for each month, with some notable exceptions that included two or three options.
The list was not static. It was revised in 1952 and again in the early 21st century to reflect the discovery of new gemstones and changing consumer preferences. The inclusion of multiple birthstones for certain months was a deliberate choice to address several key factors:
- Gemstone availability and affordability: Some original birthstones were rare or difficult to source, making them inaccessible to the general public. Adding alternative stones provided more affordable options.
- Cultural and regional preferences: Different cultures have historically associated different gemstones with the same month. The updated lists aimed to be more inclusive of these traditions.
- Aesthetic and symbolic diversity: Offering a choice of stones allows individuals to select a gem that resonates with their personality, preferred color, or symbolic meaning.
This evolution has resulted in the modern chart where months like March, June, August, October, November, and December are distinguished by their dual or triplet gemstone options.
March: Aquamarine and Bloodstone
March is represented by two distinct gemstones that offer a striking contrast in appearance and lore: Aquamarine and Bloodstone.
Aquamarine is a prized variety of the mineral beryl, known for its serene blue to blue-green hues. Its name is derived from the Latin for "seawater," a fitting description for its tranquil color. As a member of the beryl family, it shares its crystal structure with other well-known gems like emerald and morganite. Gemologically, aquamarine is valued for its clarity and relative lack of inclusions, often yielding large, clean stones suitable for a variety of jewelry settings. Its hardness on the Mohs scale makes it durable for everyday wear. Historically, aquamarine has been associated with calmness, clarity, and courage. Sailors in ancient times believed it was a talisman from the sea, offering protection and safe passage.
Bloodstone, also known as heliotrope, is a dark green chalcedony (a variety of quartz) characterized by distinctive red flecks, which are inclusions of iron oxide. These red spots were historically interpreted as the blood of Christ, giving the stone its powerful name and a strong connection to Christian lore. Bloodstone has long been associated with courage, healing, and vitality. In ancient times, it was believed to have the power to stop bleeding and was used in medicinal amulets. Its opaque nature and unique pattern make it a popular choice for carved cameos, intaglios, and men's signet rings.
The pairing of these two stones for March offers a choice between the ethereal transparency of aquamarine and the earthy, opaque strength of bloodstone.
June: Pearl, Alexandrite, and Moonstone
June is uniquely associated with three distinct and diverse gemstones: Pearl, Alexandrite, and Moonstone. This trio provides an exceptional range of color, origin, and symbolism.
Pearl is an organic gemstone, the only one formed within a living creature. It is created inside oysters when an irritant, such as a grain of sand, becomes lodged in the mollusk's mantle. In response, the oyster secretes layers of nacre around the irritant, eventually forming a lustrous pearl. Pearls have been associated with June for centuries, partly because the full moon was thought to be the optimal time for pearl harvesting. They symbolize purity, faith, and new beginnings, making them a classic choice for wedding and anniversary jewelry.
Alexandrite is a rare and remarkable variety of chrysoberyl, famed for its dramatic color-changing ability. Discovered in Russia's Ural Mountains in the 1830s, it appears green or bluish-green in daylight and fluorescent light, but shifts to a reddish-purple or brownish-red under incandescent light. This phenomenon led to its famous description as "emerald by day, ruby by night." Its discovery coincided with the reign of Tsar Alexander II, and the stone's imperial colors made it a national treasure. Metaphysically, alexandrite is believed to bring luck, good fortune, and to strengthen intuition.
Moonstone, a member of the feldspar group, is known for its unique visual effect called adularescence—a billowy, bluish light that seems to float across the stone's surface as it is moved, reminiscent of the moon's glow. This phenomenon is caused by the intergrowth of two different feldspar minerals. Moonstone has been associated with lunar deities throughout history and is linked to romance, intuition, and balance.
August: Peridot, Spinel, and Sardonyx
August is one of the few months to boast three official birthstones, each with its own unique history and appearance: Peridot, Spinel, and Sardonyx.
Peridot is the gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine. It is one of the few gemstones that occurs in only one color: a distinctive olive green. The intensity and tint of the green depend on the amount of iron present in the stone's composition. Peridot has been prized since ancient times; the ancient Egyptians mined it on the Red Sea island of Zabargad, which they called the "Isle of Topaz." They called it the "gem of the sun" and believed it had protective powers against evil spirits. Peridot is formed deep within the earth's mantle and is brought to the surface by volcanic activity.
Spinel is a beautiful and durable gemstone that has often been mistaken for other more famous gems, such as ruby and sapphire. Some of the world's most famous "rubies," including the Black Prince's Ruby in the British Imperial State Crown, are actually red spinels. For centuries, spinel was not recognized as a distinct mineral. It occurs in a wide range of colors, including red, pink, blue, and black. Its excellent hardness and brilliance make it a superb gem for jewelry.
Sardonyx is a variety of onyx, which is a banded form of chalcedony (a cryptocrystalline form of quartz). It features alternating layers of sard (a reddish-brown chalcedony) and onyx (a white or black chalcedony). Sardonyx has been used for cameos and intaglios since ancient times due to its contrasting layers, which allow carvers to create distinctive designs. It was a popular stone in ancient Rome, where it was associated with courage, happiness, and clear communication.
October: Opal and Tourmaline
October's birthstones are a study in contrasts, from the kaleidoscopic fire of opal to the rainbow-like variety of tourmaline.
Opal has been the primary October birthstone for centuries and is renowned for its unique play-of-color—the iridescent flashing of rainbow hues that appear as the stone is moved. This phenomenon is caused by the diffraction of light from microscopic silica spheres within the stone's structure. Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica and is relatively soft and porous, requiring careful handling. Symbolically, opal has been associated with love, passion, and optimism. Its ever-changing colors have led many to see it as a symbol of hope and purity.
Tourmaline was added as an official October birthstone in 1952 to provide a more durable and affordable alternative to opal. It is known as the "Rainbow Gemstone" because it occurs in a wider range of colors than any other gemstone. In fact, tourmaline's chemical composition is so complex that a single crystal can exhibit multiple colors. Pink and green tourmaline are the most popular colors for October births, but blue, watermelon (pink and green), and paraíba (neon blue) tourmalines are also highly sought after. Tourmaline is a durable stone, making it an excellent choice for all types of jewelry.
November: Topaz and Citrine
November is associated with two golden-hued gemstones: Topaz and Citrine. Both stones are known for their warm, sunny colors that are said to bring light and warmth to the wearer.
Topaz is a silicate mineral that occurs in a variety of colors, but the most prized is the rich, imperial topaz with its deep orange-red hue. The name "topaz" is thought to derive from the Sanskrit word "tapas," meaning fire. Imperial topaz was so named because it was once reserved for Russian royalty. Topaz is a hard and durable gemstone, making it suitable for all forms of jewelry. Historically, it has been associated with healing, calmness, and royalty.
Citrine is the yellow to reddish-orange variety of quartz. Its color is caused by traces of iron within the crystal lattice. Citrine has been called the "light maker" and the "healing quartz" for its supposed ability to calm and soothe. Its affordable price point and durability have made it a popular gemstone. For many years, much of the citrine on the market was actually heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz, but natural citrine is now more widely recognized and valued. Both topaz and citrine share a color palette that evokes the warmth of autumn, making them perfect for November.
December: Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon
December is another month with three official birthstones, offering a cool palette of blue and blue-green gems: Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon.
Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum. It is one of the oldest known gemstones, cherished by ancient civilizations from the Egyptians to the Persians and Native Americans. Its distinctive color comes from copper, while iron or chromium can create greenish hues. Turquoise is often found in veins and patches of matrix (the host rock) within the stone, which adds to its unique character. It has been a talisman of protection, power, and good fortune for millennia.
Tanzanite is a relative newcomer to the gem world. Discovered in the Merelani Hills of Tanzania in 1967, it is a variety of the mineral zoisite. It is prized for its intense violet-to-blue hue, a color that is found in only one location in the world, making it thousands of times rarer than diamond. Tanzanite is often heat-treated to achieve its vibrant color. Its discovery and rapid rise to prominence led to its inclusion as a December birthstone in 2002.
Zircon is the oldest mineral on Earth, with some crystals dating back over 4 billion years. It should not be confused with the synthetic cubic zirconia. Zircon occurs in a variety of colors, but the most popular for jewelry is the brilliant blue variety, which is typically produced by heat-treating brownish zircon. Zircon is known for its exceptional brilliance and fire, which rivals that of diamond. It is the traditional birthstone for December and has long been associated with wisdom, honor, and purity.
Conclusion
The existence of months with multiple birthstones is a testament to the dynamic nature of the gemstone tradition. It reflects a history that is not fixed but has adapted to incorporate new discoveries, respond to market demands, and honor diverse cultural heritages. For those born in March, June, August, October, November, or December, this multiplicity offers a rich palette of choices, from the organic luster of pearls to the color-changing magic of alexandrite and the historic significance of turquoise. This variety ensures that every individual can find a gemstone that not only represents their birth month but also reflects their personal style and story.