What’s your birthstone baby?

Typical Birthstone Chart
Do you know what your birthstone is?  Do you ever have anyone ask you what it is the way people used to ask about the zodiac?  You know “what’s your sign?”

After reading my June posts, a few people suggested I do a monthly birthstone post.  I am not sure I could find that much to say about every birthstone, especially this month which is Ruby – they are red and natural ones are expensive - what else is there to say?  Although I admit I used to wish this was my birthstone instead of my borther's since it was a  much darker color than mine.

I was thinking of how some people hate their birthstone and do not realize that in most cases they can get the stone in colors other than the original stone or have alternatives to their standard stone.  Some of the alternatives were the birthstones in the distant past or are considered the planet or charm stones that align with the zodiac.  Bernardine Fine Art Jewelry has a list of different birthstone categories.  I thought I would compile a birthstone chart with alternatives and links to more info below.  If I do posts on a particular stone in the future, I will try to remember to come back here and add a link.  I also want to include the Mohs hardenss scale for each stone so you know which is a better deal for you if you are a really active person.  Mohs says diamonds are the hardest at 10 (not easily breakable) and talc is the softest at 1 (easy to crush).  Visit AGTA website to see gemstones by color.


Birthstone Chart
MONTH
MODERN
TRADITIONAL
ALTERNATIVES

January

Red Garnet
Family:Garnet
Mohs Hardness=7

SAME
Mohs = 7
Mohs = 6.5-7

February

Amethyst Post
Purple Amethyst
Mohs Hardness= 7
Family: Quartz

SAME
Mohs= 7
Mohs = 6.5=7

Mohs = 7.5-8
Family: Beryl
Family: Chalcedony
Mohs Hardness=7

Mohs = 6-7

White Diamond
Mohs Hardness=10
Family: Diamond
Mohs Hardness=9
Family: Corundum
Mohs = 7
White Topaz,  Mohs= 7-8
Mohs= 7.5


Green Emerald
Mohs Hardness=7-8
Family: Beryl
Mohs = 6.5-7
Family: Chalcedony
Mohs= 6.5-7
Other Beryl
Mohs = 7.5
Mohs = 6.5-7

June

Mohs Hardness=3-4
Family: Pearl
Mohs = 8.5
Family:Chrysoberyl
Mohs= 6.5=7
Mohs= 7
Opal-See OCT

July

Ruby Post
Red Ruby
Mohs Hardness=9
Family: Corundum
Mohs = 6.5-7
Family: Chalcedony
Mohs = 6.5-7
Mohs = 6.5-7

August

Green Peridot
Mohs = 6.5-7
Family: Olivine
Mohs Hardness=7
Spinel (Added 2016)
Mohs = 7.5-8
Mohs = 6-7
Mohs = 7
Mohs = 2-2.5

September

Sapphire Post
Blue Sapphire
Mohs Hardness=9
Family: Corundum
Mohs Hardness=5.5
Family: Lazurite

Mohs = 7-7.5
Mohs = 6.5-7 Chrysolite
Mohs = 6.5-7

October

Mohs = 5-6.5
Family:  Opal
Mohs = 5-6.5
Family:Tourmaline
Mohs = 6.5-7
Mohs = 7
Aquamarine - See MARCH

November

Imp. Topaz Post
Yellow/Gold Topaz
Mohs Hardness=8
Family: Topaz
Mohs=7
Family: Quartz
Smoky Topaz/Quartz
Mohs = 7


December

Blue Topaz Post
Blue Topaz
Mohs Hardness=8 
Family: Topaz
Blue Zircon
Mohs=7
Mohs=6

Mohs = 6.5-7



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