Birthstones
For more than 6 centuries it has been a custom in the west to gift jewellery with specific birthstones, according to the month of birth. Although the origins may have come from a religious background, a new modern standardised gemstone list was produced in 1912 by the (American) National Association of Jewellers and shortly after by Britain's National Association of Goldsmiths in 1937.
The old and modern stones chart can be found below.
| Month | 15th - 20th century | Modern US | Modern UK |
| January | Garnet | ||
| February | Amethyst | ||
| March | Bloodstone, Jasper | Bloodstone, Aquamarine | Bloodstone, Aquamarine |
| April | Diamond | ||
| May | Emerald | ||
| June | Cat's eye, Agate | Pearl, Moonstone, Alexandrite | Pearl, Moonstone |
| July | Turquoise, Onyx | Ruby, Carnelian | |
| August | Sardonyx, Carnelian, Moonstone, Topaz | Peridot, Spinel | Peridot, Sardonyx |
| September | Chrysolite | Sapphire | |
| October | Opal, Aquamarine | Opal, Tourmaline | |
| November | Topaz | Topaz, Citrine | Topaz, Citrine |
| December | Ruby | Tanzanite, Turquoise | Tanzanite, Turquoise |