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