Birthstones – Importance of Color
Importance of Color in Birthstones
It is not a coincidence that the birthstone for each month is a unique color.
The history of birthstones is very old. Gemologists did not have instruments, tests and the knowledge for accurate identification of gemstones. The physical appearance determined the identity. Gemstones of the same color were known by the same name. If a red stone looked like a ruby, it was called a ruby. Today we know that red tourmaline and red spinel are not rubies.
We also know that many gemstones have different colored varieties. Originally dark blue was the only color known as sapphire. Yellow sapphire was probably mistaken for topaz. Light blue topaz may have been confused with aquamarine. Peridot was combined with other green gemstones known as olivine.
People had faith in the power of gemstones to affect their lives. The beliefs concerning birthstones may have been influenced by astrological ideas that the powers of certain gemstones were affected by the position of planets. All people could benefit by wearing each gemstone at the proper time, but the person born at that time would receive greater benefit.
Here is a question to ponder. Did all the same color gemstones that shared the same name also share the same power? The color of a birthstone may be more important than its identity.
When you buy birthstone jewelry, do not choose a different color variety of your birthstone gemstone. You can substitute a same color different gemstone and still be historically correct.
List of U.S. Modern Birthstones and ColorsMONTH | BIRTHSTONE | OTHER SAME COLOR GEMSTONES |
January | garnet – dark red | spinel |
February | amethyst – purple | lepidolite, sugilite, tourmaline, fluorite |
March | aquamarine – light aqua blue | blue topaz, sapphire, zircon, apatite |
April | diamond – clear | rock crystal quartz, sapphire, zircon |
May | emerald – dark green | garnet, tourmaline, aventurine |
June | pearl, moonstone – white | mother of pearl |
July | ruby – red | tourmaline, spinel, topaz |
August | peridot – lime green | serpentine, garnet, tourmaline, vesuvianite |
September | sapphire – dark blue | tanzanite, spinel, sodalite, dumortierite, kyanite |
October | opal – multicolor opalescence | |
November | topaz – golden yellow | citrine, sapphire, spinel, garnet, calcite, zircon |
December | turquoise – opaque greenish blue | amazonite, opaque aquamarine, chrysocolla |
Historical birthstones charts often assigned the gemstones to different months or substituted different gemstones.
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