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.

POST & CHART SHORT URL =  https://tinyurl.com/73rsf5r3

Birthstone Chart

MONTH	MODERN	TRADITIONAL	ALTERNATIVES
January Garnet Post	Red Garnet Family:Garnet Mohs Hardness=7 Other Colors	SAME More Ideas	Rose Quartz Mohs = 7 Agate Mohs = 6.5-7
February Amethyst Post	Purple Amethyst Mohs Hardness= 7 Family: Quartz Other Colors	SAME Fun Facts	Onyx Mohs= 7 Moonstone Mohs = 6.5=7
March Aquamarine Post	Blue Aquamarine Mohs = 7.5-8 Family: Beryl Color Range	Bloodstone Family: Chalcedony Mohs Hardness=7 Color Range	Jade Mohs = 6-7
April Diamond Post	White Diamond Mohs Hardness=10 Family: Diamond Other Colors	White Sapphire Mohs Hardness=9 Family: Corundum Other Colors	Crystal Quartz Mohs = 7 White Topaz,  Mohs= 7-8 White Zircon Mohs= 7.5
May Emerald Post	Green Emerald Mohs Hardness=7-8 Family: Beryl Color Range	Agate Mohs = 6.5-7 Family: Chalcedony Color Range	Chrysoprase Mohs= 6.5-7 Other Beryl Mohs = 7.5 Agate Mohs = 6.5-7
June Pearl Posts	Pearl Mohs Hardness=3-4 Family: Pearl Color Options	Alexandrite Mohs = 8.5 Family:Chrysoberyl Color Change	Moonstone Mohs= 6.5=7 Tiger’s Eye Mohs= 7 Opal-See OCT
July Ruby Post	Red Ruby Mohs Hardness=9 Family: Corundum Color Range	Carnelian Mohs = 6.5-7 Family: Chalcedony Color Range	Agate Mohs = 6.5-7 Chalcedony Mohs = 6.5-7
August Peridot Post	Green Peridot Mohs = 6.5-7 Family: Olivine Color Range	Sardonx Mohs Hardness=7 Spinel (Added 2016) Mohs = 7.5-8	Jade Mohs = 6-7 Onyx Mohs = 7 Amber Mohs = 2-2.5
September Sapphire Post	Blue Sapphire Mohs Hardness=9 Family: Corundum Other Colors	Lapis Lazuli Mohs Hardness=5.5 Family: Lazurite Color Range	Iolite Mohs = 7-7.5 Agate Mohs = 6.5-7 Chrysolite Mohs = 6.5-7
October Opal Post	Opal Mohs = 5-6.5 Family:  Opal Color Options	Tourmaline Mohs = 5-6.5 Family:Tourmaline Color Options	Jasper Mohs = 6.5-7 Zircon Mohs = 7 Aquamarine - See MARCH
November Imp. Topaz Post	Yellow/Gold Topaz Mohs Hardness=8 Family: Topaz Other Colors	Citrine Mohs=7 Family: Quartz Color Range	Smoky Topaz/Quartz Mohs = 7
December Blue Topaz Post	Blue Topaz Mohs Hardness=8  Family: Topaz Color Range	Blue Zircon Mohs=7 Turquoise Mohs=6	Tanzanite Mohs = 6.5-7