There is something about birthstones...

So, what is a birthstone?
Traditionally, it is a gift of precious or semi-precious stone that symbolizes the month of a Georgian Calendar.
As far as there is a huge variety of colored stones, in 1912 in an effort to standardize them, the American national association of jewelers, created a list of "Modern" birthstones, thus dividing all the birthstones in two groups: modern and traditional.
Traditional birthstones are the ones described in old Georgian Calendar poems based on the older society beliefs. By the way, Tiffany & Co. published these poems "of unknown author" for the first time in a pamphlet in 1870. Here are all the twelve verses - three of them are repeats - with vivid examples from our collection:

By her who in January was born
No gem saves garnets hall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.

The February born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they, the amethyst will wear.

By her who in March was born
No gem save bloodstone shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.

She who from April dates her years,
Diamonds shall wear,
lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow.

Who first beholds the light of day
In spring's sweet, flower month of May
And wears an emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and a loving wife.

By her who in June was born
No gem save pearl shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.

The gleaming ruby should adorn,
All those who in July are born,
For thus they'll be exempt and free,
From lover's doubts and anxiety.

Wear a peridot or for thee,
No conjugal fidelity,
The August born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved; alone.

A maiden born when autumn leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze,
A sapphire on her brow should bind;
To bring her joy and peace of mind.

October's child is born for woe,
And life's vicissitudes must know,
But lay an opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.

Who first comes to this world below
In dreary November's fog and snow,
Should prize the topaz amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.

If cold December gave you birth
The month of snow and ice and mirth
Place on your hand a turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate'er you do.

Since many different cultures had their own list, jewelers' lists are often inconsistent over what constitutes a traditional birthstone.

The modern birthstone list is currently the most widely used list in the United States and many other locations, including Australia and Thailand. Jasper and Bloodstone for March were replaced with Aquamarine, Moonstone accompanied Pearl in June, due to increased popularity of Onyx in Victorian times, it was paired with Ruby as July birthstone. October's Aquamarine
was replaced with Tourmaline, and incredibly popular blue Topaz joined Turquoise as a December birthstone.

Since the list of modern birthstones made the choice of a gem even more complicated, some people still turn to astrology and buy jewelry depending on a zodiac sign. Although the list of zodiac birthstones is pretty much the same as traditional birthstones, it has some significant modifications: Bloodstone and Opal are replaced with Agate and Beryl, Ruby is assigned to December's Capricorn, Emerald joined summer stones to become one of Cancer's talismans.