

Choose by day of the week: Each weekday is associated with a different gemstone and corresponding color.Choose by zodiac sign: You may want your birthstone to match your sign rather than sticking with a standardized selection made a century ago.If your birth month gem's meaning does not complement your personality, you may want to choose a different stone you identify with. Choose by birthstone meanings: Stones hold symbolic meanings that may influence your birthstone selection.Choose by birthstone colors: If you have more than one option for your birthstone, then you can choose by color preference.If you were born in March, June, August, October, November, or December, then you have two birthstone options for your birth month. Choose between traditional and modern birthstones: Since the standardization of birthstones, the list has been updated to include more modern options for particular months.If you’d rather stick to the standard, this is the most popular and universally accepted choice. Choose by birth month: Just over one hundred years ago, jewelers assigned a stone to each month.You couldn’t choose the month you were born in, but you do have choices when finding your birthstone determined by your unique personality and style. Since then, certain birth months have been assigned a modern variation.

In 1912, birthstones were standardized based on marketable gems.

Even today birthstone lists vary and you can find multiple stones for different months or astrological signs. Until the early 20th-century, the best stones for an individual varied by culture, religion, or personal preference. At that time, birthstones and zodiac stones were exactly the same, but today they’re different. In 16th-century Germany or Poland, gemstones were first matched to individuals based on their zodiac sign. Hildegard von Bingen and Leonardo Da Vinci both wrote of the healing powers of different gems. Stones later became less symbolic and more magical and medicinal.

The ancient Israelite High Priest wore twelve gemstones of special significance on a golden breastplate. Gemstones were once used for medicinal purposes, but today many consider them to have a more powerful influence over mood and mental health than physical healing. The meaning of gemstones progressed from ancient religious symbolism to magical mysticism in the Middle Ages. Where did birthstones come from? Identifying with a particular, personal gemstone can be traced back to antiquity. We’ll help you find your birthstone or the perfect birthstone gift for a special person in your life. Birthstones by month are a popular choice, but you may prefer a less traditional option, like the stone of your zodiac sign or a stone with special meaning. When shopping for birthstone jewelry or simply trying to find your birthstone, you have more than one gem to choose from. Wearing birthstones allows you to express your individuality and gives others a glimpse of your personality.
