Birthstones - A Beginners Guide

What Is A Birthstone?

A birthstone is a gemstone. It symbolizes the month of birth in the Gregorian Calendar.

A birthstone can also be called a birthday stone.

A Basic History

Jewish historian Josephus proclaimed that there was a connection between the twelve stones in Aaron's breastplate, the 12 months of the year and the 12 signs of the zodiac.

With traditional birthstones many diferent cultures had their own list, so jewellers' lists are often inconsistent over what constitutes a traditional birthstone.

In 1912 the American national association of jewellers adopted a modern list which is currently the widest used list in the united states and many other places, such as Australia and Thailand.