Crafting name tag necklaces has prompted many people to ask me about birthstones. You can use a birthstone for your name tag necklace or simply select a stone which you find beautiful, both will do nicely! Regarding birthstones, for those of you with birthdays in January through May or July through September, you may wonder why knowing the stone associated with your birth is such a task. The reason is: people with birthdays in the months of June, October, and November have two birthstones, while if your birthday falls in the month of December, you have THREE. So unfair!
Based on myths and folklore the modern interpretation of what stones are associated with our birth month can be found in the picture above (thank you American Gem Society) however if you are more interested in the traditional stones associated with your birth month, in 1870 Tiffany & Co. published a set of poems by an unknown author (which are believed to be taken from the Gregorian calendar) matching each month with its corresponding stone. The poem's stones and months are most commonly associated with English-speaking societies. I find the poems fun and interesting to share, enjoy!
Three of the verses are repeats:
By her who in January was born
No gem save garnets shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.
The February born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they, the amethyst will wear.
By her who in March was born
No gem save bloodstone shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.
She who from April dates her years,
diamonds shall wear,
lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow.
Who first beholds the light of day
In spring's sweet, flower month of May
And wears an emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and a loving wife.
By her who in June was born
No gem save pearls shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.
The gleaming ruby should adorn,
All those who in July are born,
For thus they'll be exempt and free,
From lover's doubts and anxiety.
Wear a peridot or for thee,
No conjugal fidelity,
The August born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved; alone.
A maiden born when autumn leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze,
A sapphire on her brow should bind;
To bring her joy and peace of mind.
October's child is born for woe,
And life's vicissitudes must know,
But lay an opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.
Who first comes to this world below
In dreary November's fog and snow,
Should prize the topaz amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.
If cold December gave you birth
The month of snow and ice and mirth
Place on your hand a turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate'er you do.
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