The Animal Jam Birthstone Collection is a set of twelve unique gemstone den items introduced in early 2013, designed as members-only exclusives. Each gemstone corresponds to a month of the year, offering players a seasonal opportunity to acquire these sparkling collectibles. The collection, sold at Epic Wonders, provides a visually appealing way to represent and celebrate each month, mirroring the tradition of birthstones in human culture. This article will detail the history of the collection within Animal Jam, the individual gemstones included, and the acquisition details as presented within available sources.
History and Introduction to the Collection
The Birthstone Collection was first announced in Jamaa Journal Volume 78. It quickly became a popular feature within Animal Jam, offering a rotating selection of gemstones throughout the year. The stones are released on the first day of their corresponding month and remain available for purchase until the end of that month, creating a sense of limited-time availability and encouraging regular engagement with the game. The collection is structured similarly to the Birth Flowers Collection, suggesting a deliberate design choice to offer players a variety of collectible items tied to specific months.
The items are exclusively available to members of Animal Jam, requiring a subscription to access and purchase them. Each birthstone costs 1,500 Gems, the in-game currency, making them a moderately priced collectible within the game’s economy. The collection’s introduction demonstrates a conscious effort to incorporate real-world traditions and symbolism into the virtual world of Animal Jam, enhancing the game’s appeal and providing a unique element of personalization for players.
The Twelve Gemstones of the Collection
The Animal Jam Birthstone Collection encompasses twelve distinct gemstones, each representing a month of the year. The following list details each gemstone and its corresponding month, as outlined in the available sources:
- Garnet Birthstone – January
- Amethyst Birthstone – February
- Aquamarine Birthstone – March
- Diamond Birthstone – April
- Emerald Birthstone – May
- Pearl Birthstone – June
- Ruby Birthstone – July
- Peridot Birthstone – August
- Sapphire Birthstone – September
- Opal Birthstone – October
- Topaz Birthstone – November
- Turquoise Birthstone – December
Each birthstone is described as being inlaid in a gold-like metal and possessing a sparkling quality. The sources indicate that the stones are relatively small in size, suggesting a focus on collectibility rather than display prominence. While the sources do not provide detailed descriptions of the individual gemstones’ appearances beyond this general characteristic, the variety of stones suggests a visually diverse collection.
Acquisition and Availability
The Animal Jam Birthstone Collection operates on a monthly release schedule. Each gemstone becomes available for purchase on the first day of its corresponding month and is removed from sale at the end of the month. This cyclical availability encourages players to actively check Epic Wonders each month to acquire the current birthstone.
As previously mentioned, the birthstones are exclusively available to Animal Jam members and cost 1,500 Gems each. This membership requirement and gem cost position the birthstones as a desirable, yet attainable, collectible for dedicated players. The sources do not indicate any variations in acquisition methods beyond direct purchase from Epic Wonders.
Connection to Real-World Birthstone Traditions
While the provided sources focus solely on the in-game collection, the very concept of associating gemstones with specific months directly reflects a long-standing tradition in human culture. Birthstones have been used for centuries, with origins tracing back to ancient civilizations. The modern list of birthstones, however, has evolved over time, with different cultures and historical periods assigning different gemstones to each month. The Animal Jam collection’s adoption of this tradition demonstrates an awareness of broader cultural practices and a desire to integrate them into the game’s virtual environment.
Limitations of Available Information
It is important to acknowledge the limited scope of the provided sources. The information available is primarily descriptive, focusing on the collection’s mechanics and availability within Animal Jam. There is a complete absence of information regarding the gemological properties of the stones themselves, their historical significance, or any associated symbolism within the game’s lore. The sources do not delve into the design process behind the collection, the reasoning for selecting specific gemstones, or any potential future expansions or variations.
Furthermore, the sources are limited to information originating from Animal Jam’s official channels (Jamaa Journal) and fan-maintained wikis. While the wikis provide a useful overview of the collection, their reliability is dependent on community contributions and may not always be fully verified. The inclusion of a post from a user blog discussing updates to the Arctic wolf and other game elements is tangential to the core topic and provides minimal relevant information.
Due to the limited nature of the provided sources, a comprehensive analysis of the Animal Jam Birthstone Collection is constrained. The article has been constructed solely from the available data, adhering strictly to the prompt’s instructions against external research or speculation.