What is Your Birthstone?

Just about everyone knows what his or her birthstone is. Why is that? Because people still enjoy the folklore associated with the tradition of the birthstone. They like believing that wearing a birthstone brings them good luck and protects them.

Early civilization as far back as the Assyrians (1400 BC) invested rare and beautiful gemstones with magical properties. Some minerals were thought to contain a force or possess certain values and powers. For instance, amethyst was said to prevent intoxication.

Tradition associates a gem with each sign of the zodiac based on a color system. Color was thought to unleash the power attributed to the stone.

In time, birthstones became associated with calendar months rather than the zodiac. And people began to select birthstones in colors other than the original.

The Roman, Arabic, Jewish, Polish, Russian and Italian lists were all different.

The following list of birthstones, which is the one commonly used today, was adopted in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers, which later evolved into the Jewelers of America.

January -- Garnet
February -- Amethyst
March -- Aquamarine
April -- Diamond
May -- Emerald
June -- Moonstone
July -- Ruby
August -- Peridot
September -- Sapphire
October -- Opal or Tourmaline
November -- Yellow Topaz or Citrine
December -- Sky Blue Turquoise or Blue Topaz

Julie Lee is a web designer and founder of Julie's Jewelry Design, LLC. Julie's Jewels is a Texas based retail jewelry company specializing in high quality, affordable jewelry pieces created to be treasured for a lifetime.

---

What is Feng Shui, and How Does It Work?

Feng shui (say "fung shway"), often called the art of... Read More

A Short Biography on Some of Europes Most Loved and Hated Monarchs - Pt 4 Queen Mary I

Queen Mary I of England was born in 1516 to... Read More

Egyptian Hanmde Galabeya (Galabia)

The Bedouin culture has a long history of beautiful costumes,... Read More

A Defense of Cultural Intelligence

When humans set off to address fundamental issues about what... Read More

What Sets Chinese Painting Apart From Western Painting

Because of different instruments, materials and cultural background, Chinese paintings... Read More

The Daily Show is a Must See on Comedy Central

Doesn't it seem that today there is nothing but bleak... Read More

Ludlow Festival

His plays and adaptations have been performed in many countries... Read More

Mexican Living: Doctors, Doctors, Doctors

I am sick. I don't know what's wrong nor if... Read More

Her Last Day in Court

"Ron, I can't take much more of his sleazy behavior!... Read More

Learn How to Solve Problems With a Feng Shui Mirror

A mirror, when becoming a feng shui mirror, can be... Read More

ML - CHI - Zadok and the Making of Gold

ATOMIC HIGH-SPIN TECHNOLOGY: - In 1950 B.C. there was a... Read More

The History of Body Piercings - Ancient and Fascinating Around the World

Body piercings have seen a resurgence of interest in the... Read More

Sixties: The Decade of Rebellion

It is safe to say that in ... Read More

Creating a Virtual Art Gallery

To the online artist, it might seem a paradox, at... Read More

Masking European Animism

The ancient peoples of Europe were more fond of masks... Read More

Flows of Civilization; Views from a Think Tank

Over the past few years we have been discussing many... Read More

Feng Shui and the Year of the Rooster - an Overview

Feng shui involves more than just colors and where you... Read More

Rasputin

GRIGORY EFIMOVICH NOVYKH (RASPUTIN):'Hail, Hail, Ras-putin'. This man's story has... Read More

The Different Styles of Inuit Sculptures

At first, all Inuit soapstone sculptures from the Arctic may... Read More

Native American Life After Prophetstown

My name is Luksi Humma, I am Choctaw or, Chahta,... Read More

The Oldies? Nostalgia? Watchyacallit?

Our culture is defined by what we have access to!... Read More

Insider Tips to Quadruple Your Art Show Sales

At a recent art show, I could not help but... Read More

Astrology : A Science or Superstition?

Human beings have always been curious to know their future.... Read More

Game Theory - What Do Game Theory and Improv Theater Have in Common?

"Game" TheoryThis article was inspired by Mick Napier's book ?Improvise:... Read More

A Billion Cheers At 40: Lets Celebrate Mummy Jessy

Ooh the depth of literary riches, how terrific they are!... Read More

The Contingencies of Despair: How Existentialists Survive

~ Dread is dizziness unto freedom-freedom that gazes down into... Read More

Progress Versus Perfection

From the creative explosion marking the outset of the universe... Read More

Learn How To Draw Faces Realistically

Drawing a face isn't as hard as it looks. To... Read More

King Tuts Tomb was No Better - Found in America

Between 603 and 702 AD. a truly marvelous temple was... Read More

Native American Indian Art Wood Carvings of the Pacific Northwest

Native American Indian art in the American southwest is dominated... Read More

Ogham and Aymara

OGHAM:As any reader of my work knows by now, Ogham... Read More

How to Make Your Civil War Uniform Shirt

Your own shirt designed and made by you for your... Read More

Brazil--Comments by a Gilliam Fan a Little Too Late

Either I am one of the darkest people ever or... Read More