Name:________________________________
Date:______________________
Worth 30 points
Birthstone Assignment
Traditionally, a birthstone is associated with each month of the year. For example, the birthstone for January is a garnet, while lucky babies born
in April get a diamond as their birthstone.
For this assignment, research and record the listed information for the following chart. Also remember to list you sources at the end of the
project.
The origin of birthstones is believed to date back to the breastplate of Aaron which contained twelve gemstones representing the twelve tribes
of Israel. The current list dates back to 1912 with only one addition since then – the tanzanite was added to December.
There are numerous legends and myths about birthstone healing powers and their therapeutic influence. According to these legends, wearing a
gemstone during its assigned month heightened its healing powers. For the full effect, individuals needed to own all twelve and alternate them
monthly.
Minerals: A mineral can be defined as a naturally occurring inorganic solid that possesses an orderly internal structure and a definite chemical
composition. Some people, like physicists, might be guilty of picking up a rock and calling it a mineral. The term "rock" is less specific, referring
to any solid mass of mineral or mineral-like material. Common rocks are often made up of crystals of several kinds of minerals. There are some
substances, like opal, which have the appearance of a mineral but lack any definite internal structure, are sometimes called "mineraloids".
Lutgens and Tarbuck give the following list of essential characteristics of a "mineral":
It must occur naturally.
It must be inorganic
It must be a solid
It must possess an orderly internal structure, that is, its atoms must be arranged in a definite pattern.
It must have a definite chemical composition that may vary within specified limits."
http://www.americangemsociety.org/birthstones
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/geophys/mineral.html
Name:
Month –
Gemstone
January:
Garnet
February:
Amethyst
March :
Aquamarine
April:
Diamond
May:
Emerald
June:
Pearl
July:
Ruby
August:
Peridot
September:
Sapphire
October:
Tourmaline
October:
Opal
November:
Topaz
November:
Citrine
December:
Tanzanite
December:
Zircon
December:
Turquoise
History and Background
Date:
Mineral Type/Chemical
Formula/Mineral Shape
Group
Hardness and other physical Where the Gemstone is found
or interesting characteristics and what contributes to the
color.