Today's Etsy newsletter started off with a blurb about how citrine, November's birthstone, is said to emit feelings of happiness, joy and optimism. This made me especially happy because not only is Citrine my birthstone, but it is also yellow, and I love everything that is yellow. That got me thinking that a blog post about birthstones and what they signify might be helpful for all the gift buying you'll be doing this season. Different sources list some variations, but this chart seems to show the most universal modern-day birthstones.

Here is my compiled list of the meanings and associations of each stone:

January:

Garnet- Purity, truth, awareness, endurance, creativity and patience

February:

Amethyst - Stability, balance, inner strength, sincerity, intuition and motivation

March:

Aquamarine – Courage, friendship, creativity, health, perception and hope

April:

Diamond – Eternity, good luck, protection, clarity of thought, balance and abundance

May:

Emerald- loyalty, friendship, love, success, happiness and goodness

June:

Moonstone- good fortune, passion and balance

Pearl- Purity, happiness, peace, love and generosity

July:

Ruby- devotion, integrity, courage, success, nobility, love, enthusiasm and strength

August:

Peridot- Power, influence, truth, loyalty, fame, dignity and protection

September:

Sapphire- Sincerity, constancy, insight and wisdom

October:

Opal- hope, innocence, happiness, loyalty, imagination and confidence

Tourmaline - courage, generosity, compassion and thoughtfulness

November:

Topaz - Loyalty, friendship, strength, balance, wisdom and serenity

Citrine- Happiness, joy, optimism, rejuvenation, energy, and warmth

December:

Tanzanite- Composure, harmony, understanding and sensitivity

Blue Zircon – Success, love, luck, and happiness.

Turquoise - prosperity, happiness, patience and good fortune.