A stone for each month: here are the combinations

Every culture has combined a month of the year with a precious or semi-precious stone. For some it is a superstition, for others only a game, for the Association of US jewelers it is a matter of principle. In any case, here is a brief guide to the stones of the month, or birthstones. For January it is the garnet and then … ♦

Pietre di colore: zaffiro, rubino, rubellite e zaffiro giallo

Each month is associated with a lucky stone. The tradition is ancient: if the combination is good, only those who wear it can to say. According to some historians, the idea of combining stones to the months of the year has its origins in antiquity. It was believed, in fact, that there was a link between the twelve stones set in the breastplate of Aaron. The jewel worn by Jewish priests, indicated the tribes of Israel and, at the same time, the signs of the zodiac. Different interpretations of some passages of the Bible have reinforced the idea. At the end of theological disputes, myths and legends, the practice of wearing a different stone for each month of the year has more strengthened. According one interpretation, has become a code during the eighteenth century, in Poland, while for others dates the code back, to 1560, in Germany. In any case, there are some differences between the stones of the month of the past and those of today and, in addition, there are also variations between one country and another. In India, for example, the stones related to the months of the year are completely different. Who will be right?

Spilla a forma di lucertola con pietre preziose

With a typical efficiency American, in 1912, in an effort to standardize the birthstone, ie stones tied to the day of birth, the National Association of jewelers in the US has officially adopted a list of stones. In 1952 the Jewelry Industry Council of America has updated the list with the addition of alexandrite in June and citrine to november while pink tourmaline was assigned to October. But it is not over. The American Gem Trade Association in 2002 added the tanzanite as birthstone to December. And not to be outdone by the National Association of Goldsmiths of Great Britain has created its own standard list of stones, in 1937. Italy also has its stones tied to the month: garnet to January, the amethyst to February, aquamarine to March, diamond to April, emerald to May, the alexandrite, moonstone and pearl to June, Ruby to July, the peridot to August, sapphire to September, opal and tourmaline, citrine to October, the topaz to November, and tanzanite to December, turquoise and zircon.

Mese	Italia	XV-XX Secolo	Usa	Gran Bretagna	India
Gennaio	Granato	Granato	Granato	Granato	Serpentina
Febbraio	Ametista	Ametista, zircone rosso, perla	Ametista	Ametista	Pietra luna
Marzo	Acquamarina	Eliotropio, diaspro	Acquamarina, eliotropio	Acquamarina, eliotropio	Gold Shiva Lingam
Aprile	Diamante	Diamante, zaffiro	Diamante	Diamante, cristallo di rocca	Diamante
Maggio	Smeraldo	Smeraldo, agata	Smeraldo	Smeraldo, crisoprasio	Smeraldo
Giugno	Alessandrite, pietra luna, perla	Occhio di gatto, turchese, agata	Perla, pietra luna, alessandrite	Perla, pietra luna	Perla
Luglio	Rubino	Turchese, onice	Rubino	Rubino, corniola	Zaffiro
Agosto	Peridoto	Sardonia (calcedonio), corniola, pietra luna, topazio	Peridoto	Peridoto, sardonia (calcedonio)	Rubino
Settembre	Zaffiro	Crisolito	Zaffiro	Zaffiro, lapislazzuli	Zircone
Ottobre	Opale, tormalina	Opale, acquamarina	Opale, tormalina	Opale	Corallo
Novembre	Citrino, topazio	Topazio, perla	Citrino, topazio	Citrino, topazio	Occhio di gatto
Dicembre	Tanzanite, turchese, zircone	Eliotropio, rubino	Tanzanite, turchese, zircone	Tanzanite, turchese	Topazio