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The Oxford Online Dictionary defines a gemstone or gem (also called a precious or semi- precious stone) as a piece of attractive mineral, which when cut & polished is used to make jewelry or other adornments. The stones used in the crafting of fine jewelry are primarily divided into two classes: precious stones and semi- precious stones.
Precious Stones
The most precious stones are the diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. The pearl is often times classed with precious stones. Although strictly speaking while it is not a stone it holds an esteemed place in jewelry.
Semi-Precious Stones
The most important ones are as follow: amethyst, lapis-lazuli, turquoise, aquamarine, topaz, moonstone, peridot, opal, tourmaline, zircon, chrysoberyl, alexandrite. Others of less importance although much used are: chrysoprase, jade, garnet, agate, azurite, malachite, bloodstone, coral, carnelian and many others.
Birthstones have their roots in ancient astrology, & there have been many birthstone lists used over the years. The following four categories are the primary lists followed today:
(i) Traditional Birthstones: A birthstone is a gift of a precious material that symbolizes the month of birth in the Gregorian Calendar. The Gregorian calendar has poems matching each month with its birthstone. These are traditionally the stones in English-speaking societies.
(ii) Modern Birthstones: In 1912, in an effort to standardize birthstones, the American national association of jewelers, Jewelers of America, officially adopted a list, shown in the "Modern" column in the table below. It is currently the most widely used list in the United States and many other locations, including Australia & Thailand.
(iii) Mystical Birthstones are of Tibetan origin & date back over a thousand years.
(iv) Ayurvedic Birthstones list is from the ancient Indian medicine & philosophy dating back to ancient India (1500 BC).
Precious Stones
The most precious stones are the diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. The pearl is often times classed with precious stones. Although strictly speaking while it is not a stone it holds an esteemed place in jewelry.
Semi-Precious Stones
The most important ones are as follow: amethyst, lapis-lazuli, turquoise, aquamarine, topaz, moonstone, peridot, opal, tourmaline, zircon, chrysoberyl, alexandrite. Others of less importance although much used are: chrysoprase, jade, garnet, agate, azurite, malachite, bloodstone, coral, carnelian and many others.
Birthstones have their roots in ancient astrology, & there have been many birthstone lists used over the years. The following four categories are the primary lists followed today:
(i) Traditional Birthstones: A birthstone is a gift of a precious material that symbolizes the month of birth in the Gregorian Calendar. The Gregorian calendar has poems matching each month with its birthstone. These are traditionally the stones in English-speaking societies.
(ii) Modern Birthstones: In 1912, in an effort to standardize birthstones, the American national association of jewelers, Jewelers of America, officially adopted a list, shown in the "Modern" column in the table below. It is currently the most widely used list in the United States and many other locations, including Australia & Thailand.
(iii) Mystical Birthstones are of Tibetan origin & date back over a thousand years.
(iv) Ayurvedic Birthstones list is from the ancient Indian medicine & philosophy dating back to ancient India (1500 BC).
Birth Month |
Traditional Birthstone |
Modern Birthstone |
Mystical Birthstone |
Ayurvedic Birthstone |
January |
Garnet |
Garnet |
Emerald |
Garnet |
February |
Amethyst |
Amethyst |
Bloodstone |
Amethyst |
March |
Aquamarine, Jasper |
Bloodstone |
Jade |
Bloodstone |
April |
Diamond, Sapphire |
Diamond |
Opal |
Diamond |
May |
Emerald, Agate |
Emerald |
Sapphire |
Agate |
June |
Alexandrite, Emerald |
Moonstone, Pearl |
Moonstone |
Pearl |
July |
Ruby, Onyx |
Ruby |
Ruby |
Ruby |
August |
Sardonyx, Carnelian |
Peridot |
Diamond |
Sapphire |
September |
Sapphire, Peridot |
Sapphire |
Agate |
Moonstone |
October |
Tourmaline, Aquamarine |
Opal, Tourmaline |
Jasper |
Opal |
November |
Citrine, Topaz |
Topaz, Citrine |
Pearl |
Topaz |
December |
Zircon, Ruby |
Turquoise, Blue Topaz, Tanzanite |
Onyx |
Ruby |
Ref: Jewelers of America Leaflet with modern birthstones, American Gem Society, Wikipedia |
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ZODIAC GEMSTONES |
|
Zodiac Sign |
Stones |
Aries (March 21 to April 20) |
Bloodstone |
Taurus (April 21 to May 20) |
Sapphire |
Gemini (May 21 to June 20) |
Agate |
Cancer (June 21 to July 20) |
Emerald |
Leo (July 21 to August 22) |
Onyx |
Virgo (August 23 to September 22) |
Carnelian |
Libra (September 23 to October 22 |
Peridot |
Scorpio (October 23 to November 22) |
Aquamarine |
Sagittarius (November 23 to December 21) |
Topaz |
Capricorn (December 22 to January 20) |
Ruby |
Aquarius (January 21 to February 18) |
Garnet |
Pisces (February 19 to March 20) |
Amethyst |
ANNIVERSARY GEMSTONES |
|
Year/Anniversary Stone |
Year/Anniversary Stone |
1 Year - Mother of Pearl, Peridot |
17 Year - Carnelian |
2 Year - Garnet |
18 Year - Cat's Eye, Chrysoberyl |
3 Year - Pearls, Jade |
19 Year - Aquamarine, Almandine Garnet |
4 Year - Blue Topaz, Blue Zircon |
20 Year - Emerald, Yellow or Golden Diamond |
5 Year - Sapphire, Pink Tourmaline |
21 Year - Iolite |
6 Year - Amethyst |
22 Year - Spinel |
7 Year - Onyx, Yellow Sapphire, Golden Beryl |
23 Year - Imperial Topaz |
8 Year - Tourmaline, Tanzanite |
24 Year - Tanzaninte |
9 Year - Lapis Lazuli, Amethyst |
25 Year - Silver Jubilee, Tsavorite, Green Garnet |
10 Year - Diamond, Blue Sapphire |
30 Year - Pearl Jubilee |
11 Year - Turquoise, Citrine, Yellow Zircon |
35 Year - Emerald |
12 Year - Jade, Opal |
40 Year - Ruby |
13 Year - Citrine, Moonstone, Hawk's Eye |
45 Year - Sapphire, Cat's Eye |
14 Year - Opal, Agate, Bloodstone |
50 Year - Golden Jubilee, Imperial or Golden Topaz |
15 Year - Ruby, Rhodolte Garnet, Alexandrite |
55 Year - Alexandrite |
16 Year - Peridot, Red Spinal |
60 Year - Diamond Jubilee, Star Ruby |
Ref: American Gem Society
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