It’s uncertain how the specific months became connected with the various stones. However, some speculate that their origins date back to biblical times when the breastplate belonging to a priest was decorated with 12 assorted colored gems. As time wore on, the 12 gems became associated with the zodiac and the months connected to it.
This started the tradition of wearing a colored stone each month as a sort of good luck charm. Initially people wore all twelve stones, rotating according to the month of the year to derive the greatest benefit of each stone. Believing that the various gems held magical powers for the individual born within a given month, people started to wear the stone associated with their birth month for the entire year. In 1912, the American National Association of Jewelers designed a list dedicating different gems to various months. What was once thought to be controversial based on its commercialism is now widely accepted as the official birthstone list.
Learn more about the individual birthday gemstones below:
| JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH |
| APRIL | MAY | JUNE |
| JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER |
| OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER |
Consider getting a custom design with these beautiful birthstones! Request your design idea here or contact Ursula for a free consultation for a chance to create a one-of-a-kind jewelry. Or give a gift of limitless choices with an Ursula Ungerleider Designs Gift Card!