The traditional or ancient birthstone for August, sardonyx is red and white layered onyx, a variety of chalcedony, itself a variety of quartz. Gem with intaglio of Bellerophon and Pegasus, sardonyx and gold, early 1st century CE, Roman Empire, from the collection of the Walters Art Museum. Licensed under CC By-SA 3.0.
What is My Birthstone?
Throughout history, people have given poetic meanings to different gemstones. Nowadays, our use of birthstones is probably the best-known example of this practice. Each month has a special stone assigned to it. For those born in a particular month, that month’s gem purportedly acts as a “good luck” charm. Of course, birthstones and their meanings vary across cultures. Below you’ll find a list of birthstones commonly used in English speaking countries.
MONTH |
MODERN |
ANCIENT |
|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Garnet |
| February | Amethyst | Amethyst |
| March | Aquamarine | Bloodstone |
| April | Diamond | Diamond |
| May | Emerald | Emerald |
| June | Alexandrite | Pearl |
| July | Ruby | Ruby |
| August | Peridot | Sardonyx |
| September | Sapphire | Sapphire |
| October | Tourmaline | Opal |
| November | Golden Topaz or Citrine | Topaz |
| December | Blue Zircon or Tanzanite | Turquoise or Lapis |
The “modern” list was created in the early 20th century. However, it never really replaced the “ancient” or traditional list. It became more of a supplement. Today, people freely choose between modern and ancient options. In addition to these, some people consult alternative birthstone lists, including lists based on astrological signs and birth hour.
In Germany and Scandinavian countries, gem enthusiasts prefer moonstones like these as the June birthstone. Photo by Gaia Metal Studio. Licensed under CC By-ND 2.0.
Birthstone Quiz
Which Birthstones are Minerals?
All the birthstones are minerals, except pearls.
Minerals are created in the earth. Pearls are considered “organic” because they form inside a living organisms, various species of underwater mollusks. Another example of an organic gem is amber. Amber began life as tree sap. After millions of years, it turned into the gem material we know today.
Natural pearls are among the rarest gemstones in the world. Most pearls on the market today are cultured. That means they’re grown on special underwater farms, inside various species of mollusks, just as they grow in the wild in nature. Cultured pearls are harvested from those mollusks in the same manner as natural pearls, too. Photo by Srikumar Mitra. Licensed under CC By 2.0.
Which Birthstones are Usually Cut as Cabochons?
Typically, lapidaries cut bloodstone, lapis, opal, sardonyx, and turquoise as cabochons. Nevertheless, all birthstones could receive cabochon cuts (except pearls, which are never cut). However, gem cutters more commonly facet the transparent birthstones (alexandrite, amethyst, aquamarine, citrine, diamond, emerald, garnet, ruby, sapphire, tanzanite, topaz, tourmaline, and zircon).
Cutting en cabochon, or “cutting cabs,” is the most common form of gem cutting. Cabs have a flat bottom and a curved or domed top. Gem cutters usually cut cabs from opaque gems or transparent ones with many inclusions, or materials trapped inside the stones.
Silver rings featuring turquoise cabochons. Jewelry and photo by Mauro Cateb. Licensed under CC By 2.0.
If you can envision a typical diamond engagement ring, you’re probably imagining a faceted gem. Gem cutters typically facet transparent gems. That means they cut the gem so that many flat, geometrically arranged surfaces cover it. Each of these flat surfaces is called a facet.
Faceting styles and techniques have evolved over time. This wedding ring set features Old European-cut stones. Photo by ebedner. Licensed under CC By-ND 2.0.
Faceting will bring out a gem’s brilliance. This term refers to a gem reflecting the light entering it back to the viewer. Don’t confuse brilliance with “fire” or dispersion. This term refers to the multicolored flashes you see coming out of diamonds and some other gems.
Which Birthstones are the Most Valuable?
Typically, diamond, emerald, ruby and sapphire command the highest prices. However, the question of value has no simple answer.
The Four Cs
A gem’s value depends on four qualities, commonly known as the Four Cs.
- Color. Usually, the richer the color, the higher the value. However, with diamonds, the closer they come to colorless, the higher they are in value.
- Clarity. If completely transparent, a gem will be worth more than a hazy specimen. Virtually all gems have inclusions, things inside them, such as fractures or bits of other minerals. Some are so small, they can’t be seen and have little or no effect on the value. Others are big and ugly or can weaken the stone.
- Carat. This is the gem’s weight. Usually, big gems are rarer than little ones.
- Cut. The quality of a gem’s cut has a great effect on beauty and value.
Although many consumers consider diamonds the most rare and expensive gem, that’s not truly the case. Rubies that weigh over a carat are rarer than diamonds of that size. A 3-ct ruby, with excellent color and clarity, can fetch more than a diamond of the same size and clarity.
Large natural rubies are very rare and expensive. On the other hand, synthetic or lab-created rubies are far more affordable. Synthetic gems have the same optical and physical properties as their natural counterparts, but they’re manufactured in laboratories. 5.59-ct synthetic ruby. Photo courtesy of liveauctionners.com and Kissing Auction.
Emeralds grow fairly large. Thus, size isn’t as important a consideration as with ruby. However, emerald gems almost always have visible inclusions. A top colored diamond, with the same amount of inclusions as a top colored emerald, would have less value.
Faceting Affects Value
Gem faceting quality greatly affects beauty and value. Just imagine a diamond that sparkles with fire and light. Next to it, imagine a diamond that looks dull, like a piece of cut glass. That’s the difference faceting can make.
Emerald bracelet. Jewelry and photo by Mauro Cateb. Licensed under CC By 2.0.
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