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Over thousands of years, a tradition has developed, associating certain gemstones with times of the year.

People still enjoy the folklore associated with the tradition of birthstones.

Tradition associates a gem with each sign of the zodiac based on a color system. Color was thought to unleash the power attributed to the stone.

In time, birthstones became associated with calendar months rather than the zodiac. And people began to select birthstones in colors other than the originals.

The following list of birthstones, which is the one commonly used today, was adopted in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers, which later evolved into the Jewelers of America.

Month Stone Alternative Color range
       
January Garnet Rose Quartz Various colors except Blue
February Amethyst Onyx Pale Lilac - Deep Purple
March Aquamarine Bloodstone Sea Blue - Blue - Blue Green
April Diamond Rock Crystal No color - Yellow - Red - Green - Blue
May Emerald Chrysoprase Various shades of Green
June Pearl Moonstone Various colors
July Ruby Carnelion Red
August Peridot Sardonyx Greenish Yellow - Yellow Green
September Sapphire Lapis Varius colors except Red
October Opal Tourmaline White - Grey - Dark Blue - Black
November Topaz Citrine Yellow - Red - Light Green - Blue
December Turquoise Zircon Sky Blue - Blue Green - Apple Green
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