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December's Birthstone
"Here's a wonderful thing,
A humming-bird's wing
In hammered gold,
And store well chosen
Of snowflakes frozen
In crystal cold.
Black onyx cherries
And mistletoe berries
Of chrysoprase,
Jade buds, tight shut,
All carven and cut
In intricate ways."
~ The Fairy Goldsmith, Eleanor Wylie (1885-1928)
December's traditional birthstones—Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon—are dazzling in their own right, but the "mystical" birthstone for this month is Onyx! This semi-precious gemstone is found worldwide, including in Scotland! The name "Onyx" comes from the Greek word for "claw" or "fingernail." According to legend, as the goddess Venus rested along the banks of the Indus River, Cupid used the tip of his enchanted arrow to trim her nails. The clippings fell into the sacred river, where they transformed into the striking gemstone we know as Onyx. Both Agate and Onyx are varieties of layered Chalcedony, a cryptocrystalline form of silica made up of fine intergrowths of quartz and moganite. Agate features curved bands, while Onyx showcases sleek, parallel bands in black and nearly every color imaginable. A particularly enchanting variety, Sardonyx, combines bands of rich browns and whites, reminiscent of this tartan’s earthy hues. Believed to bring strength, banish grief, and promote vigor, steadfastness, and stamina, Onyx has long been a cherished stone for those seeking resilience and grace. Happy December birthday! 🖤 🤍 🤎🎂
Although the traditional birthstones of December are usually reckoned as Turquoise, Tanzanite, or Zircon, December's "mystical" birthstone is the Onyx.
There are actually several different birthstone lists of different origin. What we think of as the modern birthstone tradition, is actually one that became popular in 15th century Poland.
Birthstones have been attributed special significance since the time of Josephus, a first-century Romano-Jewish scholar, historian and hagiographer, who believed there was a connection between the twelve stones in Aaron's (brother of Moses) breastplate, the twelve months of the year, and the twelve signs of the zodiac.
Rather than wearing their personal birthstones all year round, people believed the gems were most powerful when alternated monthly—each stone worn in its corresponding month:
The mystical birthstone list comes from 11th century Tibet and may have origins in Buddhism:
January Emerald
February Bloodstone
March Jade
April Opal
May Sapphire
June Moonstone
July Ruby
August Diamond
September Agate
October Jasper
November Pearl
December Onyx
Onyx is a chalcedony quartz that is mined in Brazil, India, California and Uruguay and many other countries. It has a fine texture and black color; however some onyx also displays white bands or ribbons against a black or brown background and this variety is known as sardonyx.
For more on the various birthstone lists, click the black onyx.