There are 12 months in a year and each month is associated with a unique birthstone. Birthstones are gemstones that represent each month and are thought to bring good luck, health, and prosperity to people born in that month. Many people enjoy wearing jewelry featuring their birthstone as a symbolic connection to their birth month. With 12 months and usually one birthstone per month, is it possible for any month to have two official birthstones? Let’s take a closer look.
The History of Birthstones
The idea of birthstones originated many centuries ago. Early civilizations believed that certain gemstones held mystical powers and could influence the health and fortune of individuals when worn. Over time, specific gemstones became linked to calendar months and astrological signs. By the 15th-16th centuries, wearing and gifting birthstones according to month was widely practiced in Europe.
The modern birthstone list we use today has its origins in the National Association of Jewelers’ official listing of birthstones in 1912. This listed a single birthstone for each month. However, revisions and additions have since been made. In 1952, the Jewelry Industry Council of America updated the list. More recently, in 2002, tanzanite was added as a second December birthstone. So while each month is primarily associated with one birthstone, some months now also have a modern and traditional or alternate birthstone.
Birthstones by Month
Here is the modern birthstone chart showing the primary (official) and secondary (alternate) birthstones designated for each month:
| Month | Primary/Official Birthstone | Secondary/Alternate Birthstone |
|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | – |
| February | Amethyst | – |
| March | Aquamarine | – |
| April | Diamond | – |
| May | Emerald | – |
| June | Pearl, Alexandrite | Moonstone |
| July | Ruby | – |
| August | Peridot | Spinel |
| September | Sapphire | – |
| October | Opal, Tourmaline | – |
| November | Topaz, Citrine | – |
| December | Turquoise, Blue Zircon | Tanzanite |
As you can see, most months have just one official birthstone, while a few have two. June, October, November, and December are the only months with multiple primary birthstones. August and December have designated alternate birthstones in addition.
Why Some Months Have Two Birthstones
There are a few reasons why certain months have been assigned more than one birthstone over time:
– Availability – June’s alexandrite was very rare when first discovered in Russia in the 1800s. The more abundant pearl was added as a second official birthstone.
– Discoveries – New gemstone deposits and sources increased availability. For example, citrine and blue topaz became November’s alternate birthstones.
– Marketing – The jewelry industry promoted new or historically secondary stones. December’s tanzanite was added recently to increase consumer interest.
– Color Range – Multiple stones provide different color options for jewelry. October has opal and tourmaline to offer white and pink/blue stones.
– Astrology – Some alternate stones align with old astrological birth months better. Peridot suits August but spinel matches Leo’s qualities.
– History – Turquoise has ancient connections to December. It was restored as a primary birthstone alongside newer options.
So in summary, the modern birthstone roster accommodates new gemstone sources, consumer demand, astrological associations, jewelry trends, and traditions. Expanding key months to include alternate stones provides more choices.
Are Two Birthstones Really Linked to Personality?
Some people believe that having two birthstones indicates a dual personality. Let’s examine this idea further:
– Personality theory – Astrology, crystals healing and other esoteric fields link personality traits to birthstones based on zodiac signs, color meanings, and mysticism. This is controversial and lacks scientific evidence.
– Subjective meanings – Symbolic significance attached to birthstones is highly personal and varies by individual. Their purported powers cannot be reliably generalized.
– Confirmation bias – People may focus on/exaggerate character traits that match assigned birthstone meanings and dismiss aspects that do not fit.
– Barnum effect – Birthstone descriptions are often vague enough to resonate with anyone’s personality to some degree. Their accuracy is difficult to test objectively.
– Many factors – Personality and behavior are complex. Astrological signs, genetics, environment, experiences, and maturity also shape who we are.
– Dual facets – Everyone has multifaceted personality with both positive and negative traits that fluctuate. Simple dualistic categorization is limiting.
Overall, the evidence linking birthstones to personality is tenuous. While birthstones have symbolic cultural meaning, any personality effects are difficult to isolate and quantify scientifically. Having two birthstones is unlikely to determine someone’s character in a significant way.
How to Pick Between Two Birthstones
For those born in months that have two potential birthstones, choosing which one to wear can be tricky! Here are some tips on selecting between them:
– Color preference – Pick the stone in your favorite shade or that complements your coloring. For example, warm blue topaz or fiery citrine for November babies.
– Symbolism – Look into the metaphysical properties associated with each stone and choose the one that resonates with you more. A December baby may vibe more with turquoise than tanzanite.
– Style – Consider the look you prefer or jewelry setting. Tanzanite and turquoise suit different tastes.
– Availability – If you want a birthstone ring or pendant, pick the stone that is easier to source affordably and ethically at the size you need.
– Cost – If on a budget, opt for the relatively less expensive or abundant stone. For June, classic pearls are cost-effective.
– Mix and match – Get best of both options by having jewelry with your primary and secondary stones. You don’t have to limit yourself to just one!
– Follow your heart – Go with your instinctive attraction to pick the birthstone that appeals to you most in that moment. You can’t go wrong trusting your intuition.
The great thing about having two birthstone choices is extra flexibility. Evaluate your priorities and tastes to pick the optimal stone or stones for you. Let your birth month gems reflect your personal style and character.
In Conclusion
While most months are associated with a single birthstone, some like June, August, October, November and December have more than one official or alternate gemstone. Additional birthstones were added over time for reasons like new gemstone sources, greater color diversity, renewed interest in astrology, and expanded options for consumers. Though some believe having two birthstones indicates a dual personality, strong evidence for this claim remains elusive. For those with two birthstone options, selecting between them can be done by considering personal preferences, availability, meaning, and other factors. Having two gems simply provides more choices to match one’s taste and budget. In the end, birthstones, whether single or double, are mainly for enjoyment and are what we make of them.