Birthstones
A Pathfinder for grades 4-6

A birthstone is a gemstone associated symbolically with the month of one's birth 

BIRTH MONTH                          MODERN BIRTHSTONE 

January                                                      Garnet 
February                                                    Amethyst 
March                                                        Aquamarine 
April                                                           Diamond 
May                                                            Emerald 
June                                                           Pearl, Moonstones 
July                                                            Ruby 
August                                                       Peridot 
September                                                 Sapphire 
October                                                     Opal, Tourmaline 
November                                                  Yellow Topaz, Citrine 
December Blue                                          Topaz, Turquoise

The Modern Birthstone list contains the official birthstone list from the American National Association of Jewelers, Jewelers of America. These gemstones were officially adopted in 1912. In the US, this is the accepted list.

Good books to start with.

There are several excellent reference books about gemstones. Use the index of the book to find the words in the boxes below or ask your librarian to help you use the book. Most reference books cannot be checked out.

1. 553.8 - Hall, Cally. Gemstones. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 1994. 

2. 553.8 -- Schumann, Walter. Gemstones of the World. New York: Steling Publisher, 1997. S392 

3. J553.8 W - Woodward, Christine. Gemstones. New York: Steling Publisher, 1988.

4. 739.7 - Arem, Joel E. Gems and Jewelry: an all color guide. Phoenix, Arizona: A679 Geoscience Press, 1992.

How can I learn more about birthstones?

To learn more about birthstones, you will need to use the following important words:

Gems	Precious stones

You can use the keywords above to learn more about birthstones. Go to http://www.library.torrnet.com/  and click on NEW! Online Catalog of Books, Videos, CDs, DVDs & More

In the light blue search box, decide what you will search for: 

     Subject 
     Word or phrase 
     Author 
     Title 
     Series 
     Periodical title (Magazines and newspapers are periodicals)

Next, if you add the words juvenile literature to one of the keywords in the boxes above, you will find non-fiction items that the library has. If you add the words juvenile fiction to one of the keywords in the boxes above, you will find fiction items that the library has.

Where else can I learn more about birthstones?

Go to http://www.library.torrnet.com/  and click on Magazines, Newspapers and other databases to get to the following databases where you can find information from magazines and newspapers:

• Worldbook Encyclopedia -
  (In this database, use the keyword birthstone instead of gems or precious stones) This has the same information as the print encyclopedia, but it also has additional searching choices.
  Access is also available  from home and work for this database by using this link.  You will need your library card number to gain access.  
• Ebsco Magazine Database (In this database, use the keyword birthstone instead of gems or precious stones) 
  Contains citations for thousands of magazine and journal articles, many of which are full text.

Websites: 

• Electronic Gemstone Library  
  A picture and description of precious stones which are birthstones
• Birthstones compiled by Roger K. Pabian  
  Has photographs of each stone
• Gem Gallery 
  Selected gems with facts and many color photos 
• SeeMall-Birthstones  
  Besides the month and stone, there is a description of the magical and historical lore associated with each stone.

Torrance Public Library--Youth Services
(310) 618-5964
http://www.library.torrnet.com/

Revised 12/17/03