Birthstones and Zodiac stones
by Gina Primero

Birthstone lists vary somewhat, but in 1912, the American National Association of Jewelers adopted the list below, and it is currently used in the United States and in many other countries. It is thought that the assignment of a particular gemstone to a given month originally came from the qualities that symbolized that month in the Gregorian Calendar. The breastplate of Aaron in the Bible, containing the twelve stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel may be the origin of the idea of birthstones.

Month	Birthstone
January	Garnet
February	Amethyst
April	Diamond
May	Emerald
June	Pearl, Moonstone or Alexandrite
July	Ruby
September	Peridot, Sardonyx or Sapphire
October	Tourmaline or Opal
November	Yellow Topaz or Citrine
December	Zircon, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Blue Topaz or Tanzanite

There is also a table matching gemstones to astrological signs. This Zodiac stone table is below.

Astrological Sign	Gemstone
Aries	Diamond
Taurus	Sapphire
Cancer	Emerald
Leo	Ruby
Virgo	Opal
Libra	Peridot
Sagittarius	Topaz
Capricorn	Garnet
Aquarius	Amethyst or Moonstone
Pisces	Diamond

 

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org.