For each calendar month of the year there is a birthstone that is associated with that month. This dates back to the time of Moses when a breastplate was fashioned and set with twelve gemstones. These twelve gemstones were to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. This is the ancient legend on which the modern birthstones of the calendar months are based. The names of these birthstones have changed over the years but listed below are the names of the various types of birthstones for each calendar month.

As the time passed after Moses myths and legends grew around the original stones that were set in the breastplate. Ancient civilisations added to this and even today these meanings live on. For example, the amethyst stone is said to be named after Amethyst, whom the Greek Dionysius poured wine over. The colour was then attributed to the gemstone of the same colour, the amethyst.

Here are the different stones that are allied to each month of the year including the modern, ancient and traditional stones as well. For January the modern, Hebrew, Roman and Arabic stone is garnet and the Hindu stone is ruby. For February the modern, Hebrew, Roman and Arabic stone is amethyst and the Hindu stone is topaz. For March the modern stone is aquamarine
and the Hebrew, Roman and Arabic stone is bloodstone, the Hindu stone is bloodstone and opal. For April the modern and Hindu stone is diamond and the Hebrew, Roman and Arabic stone is sapphire. For May the modern, Arabic and Hindu stone is emerald and the Hebrew and Roman stone is agate. For June the Roman and Arabic stone is emerald, the Hebrew stone is moonstone, the modern stone is pearl and the Hindu stone is pearl and agate.

For July the Hebrew and Roman stone is onyx, the modern stone is ruby, the Arabic stone is carnelian and the Hindu stone is sapphire. For August the Hebrew and Roman stone is carnelian, the modern stone is peridot, the Arabic stone is sardonyx and the Hindu stone is ruby. For September the modern stone is sapphire, the Hebrew, Roman and Arabic stone is peridot and the Hindu stone is zircon. For October the Roman and Arabic stone is aquamarine, the modern stone is opal, the Hebrew stone is tourmaline and the Hindu stones are aquamarine and coral. For November the modern, Roman and Arabic stone is yellow topaz, the Hebrew stones are citrine and yellow topaz and the Hindu stone is cats –eye. For December the Roman and Arabic stone is ruby, the modern stone is turquoise, the Hebrew stone is blue topaz and the Hindu stones are ruby and topaz. Now you just need to decide which stone you like best!