Birthstone

A birthstone is a gemstone or other semi-precious stone which is associated with a month of the Gregorian Calendar. There is no particular connection between the stones and the months, but they are often used as a way to "personalize" jewelry, taking the stone for the month in which a person was born.

There have been many different sets of birthstones used throughout history and in different cultures, but in 1912 the American National Association of Jewelers, Jewelers of America[?], officially adopted the following list; it is currently accepted as the standard in the United States and many other places.

• January - Garnet
• February - Amethyst
• March - Aquamarine
• April - Diamond
• May - Emerald
• June - Pearl
• July - Ruby
• August - Peridot
• September - Sapphire
• October - Opal
• November - Topaz
• December - Turquoise