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Most gem scholars agree that the tradition of birthstones arose from the Breastplate of Aaron: a ceremonial religious garment set with twelve gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of Israel and also corresponded with the twelve signs of the zodiac and the twelve months of the year.
Because ancient civilizations did not always classify gemstones by mineral species like modern day gemologists do, there is some debate about which gemstones were set in the breastplate and why. Because of this, different cultures around the world have developed different birth stone lists. The modern day list that you know is only the most recent list; some older lists still exist.
Some also argue that the proper way to assign gemstones is according to astrological sign and not month. There are also those that think it is more fun to choose the gemstone that speaks to you from all the possibilities.
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 January
Modern Birthstone: Garnet
Gemstone for Capricorn: Ruby
Ancient traditional birthstones
Hebrew: Garnet
Roman: Garnet
Arabic: Garnet
Hindu: Serpent-stone
Polish: Garnet
Guardian Angel: Gabriel
His Talismanic Stone: Onyx
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 February
Modern Birthstone: Amethyst
Gemstone for Aquarius: Garnet
Ancient traditional birthstones
Hebrew: Amethyst
Roman: Amethyst
Arabic: Amethyst
Hindu: Chandrakankta
Polish: Amethyst
Guardian Angel: Barchiel
His Talismanic Stone: Jasper
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 March
Modern Birthstone: Aquamarine
Gemstone for Pisces: Amethyst
Ancient traditional birthstones
Hebrew: Bloodstone
Roman: Bloodstone
Arabic: bloodstone
Hindu: Gold-sivalinga
Polish: Bloodstone
Guardian Angel: Malchediel
His Talismanic Stone: Ruby
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 April
Modern Birthstone: Diamond
Gemstone for Aries: Bloodstone
Ancient traditional birthstones
Hebrew: Sapphire
Roman: Sapphire
Arabic: Sapphire
Hindu: Diamond
Polish: Diamond
Guardian Angel: Ashmodei
His Talismanic Stone: Topaz
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 May
Modern Birthstone: Emerald
Gemstone for Taurus: Sapphire
Ancient traditional birthstones
Hebrew: Agate
Roman: Agate
Arabic: Emerald
Hindu: Emerald
Polish: Emerald
Guardian Angel: Amriel
His Talismanic Stone: Carbuncle (Garnet)
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 June
Modern Birthstone: Pearl or Alexandrite
Gemstone for Gemini: Agate
Ancient traditional birthstones
Hebrew: Emerald
Roman: Emerald
Arabic: Agate
Hindu: Pearl
Polish: Agate
Guardian Angel: Muriel
His Talismanic Stone: Emerald
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 July
Modern Birthstone: Ruby
Gemstone for Cancer: Emerald
Ancient traditional birthstones
Hebrew: Onyx
Roman: Onyx
Arabic: Carnelian
Hindu: Sapphire
Polish: Ruby
Guardian Angel: Verchiel
His Talismanic Stone: Sapphire
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 August
Modern Birthstone: Peridot
Gemstone for Leo: Onyx
Ancient traditional birthstones
Hebrew: Carnelian
Roman: Carnelian
Arabic: Sardonyx
Hindu: Ruby
Polish: Sardonyx
Guardian Angel: Verchiel
His Talismanic Stone: Diamond
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 September
Modern Birthstone: Sapphire
Gemstone for Virgo: Carnelian
Ancient traditional birthstones
Hebrew: Peridot
Roman: Peridot
Arabic: Peridot
Hindu: Zircon
Polish: Peridot
Guardian Angel: Hamatiel
His Talismanic Stone: Zircon
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 October
Modern Birthstone: Opal or Tourmaline
Gemstone for Libra: Peridot
Ancient traditional birthstones
Hebrew: Aquamarine
Roman: Aquamarine
Arabic: Aquamarine
Hindu: Coral
Polish: Aquamarine
Guardian Angel: Tsuriel
His Talismanic Stone: Agate
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 November
Modern Birthstone: Topaz or Citrine
Gemstone for Scorpio: Beryl
Ancient traditional birthstones
Hebrew: Topaz
Roman: Topaz
Arabic: topaz
Hindu: Cats-eye
Polish: Topaz
Guardian Angel: Bariel
His Talismanic Stone: Amethyst
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 December
Modern Birthstone: Tanzanite or Zircon
Gemstone for Sagittarius: Topaz
Ancient traditional birthstones
Hebrew: Ruby
Roman: Ruby
Arabic: Ruby
Hindu: Topaz
Polish: Turquoise
Guardian angel: Adnachiel
His Talismanic stone: Beryl
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