Birthstones have long had a place in our culture, existing since the time of the Ancient Egyptians and Romans. As the name suggests, their importance is strongly tied to a person’s birth month or zodiac, making them highly personalised. This is why these gemstones remain a popular addition to pendants and rings and are commonly gifted for birthdays or special events such as wedding anniversaries.
If you’re interested in adding a new piece to your collection or have someone’s special day coming up, look no further than this guide from our Gregory Jewellers experts.
Birthstones by Month:
January – Garnet
The birthstone for January is the garnet. This stone can come in various colours, but the most common is a distinctive dark red tone. Because of this, it was named for its resemblance to pomegranate seeds. In the past, it was believed to offer protective powers and was worn by nobles and warriors during battle. Today, gifting or wearing a garnet is said to symbolise truth, goodwill, and loyalty. They are also commonly gifted during 2nd wedding anniversaries.
February – Amethyst
Amethysts are beautiful stones commonly found with distinctive purple hues. The colour purple has long been associated with royalty, and as a result, these stones were favoured heavily by nobles to the point that they were once as valuable as diamonds. Over time, it has come to be associated with feelings of tranquillity and helping clear minds. Traditionally, amethysts are the main gemstone gifted for a couple’s 6th anniversary.
March – Aquamarine
Aquamarine has long been associated with the sea due to its clear blue-green colour. Because of this, sailors often wore it out on the open ocean as a form of protection and to guarantee safe passage. While this tradition remains to this day, it has also evolved to become a symbol of eternal youth and harmony. These feelings of happiness and understanding are reflected in its status as the traditional gemstone for 19th wedding anniversaries.
April – Diamond
Perhaps the most famous gemstone in the world, diamonds are a popular gift any month of the year, regardless of the person’s birthday. Diamonds can come in various colours, but they are most desired in a clear and pure form. Due to their hardness and strength, diamonds have long been linked to strength and eternal love. Besides engagement rings, diamonds are also gifted during a couple’s 60th wedding anniversary – the Diamond Anniversary.
May – Emerald
Emeralds remain one of the most popular and rarest gemstones in the world. Its distinctive green hue reflects fertility and feelings of rebirth. This made it sought after by the Ancient Romans who linked the stone with Venus, and the Ancient Egyptians, who placed them during burials as a form of protection. Today, it is similarly presented as a symbol of hope and new beginnings. These gemstones are mainly gifted during 55th wedding anniversaries – the Emerald Anniversary, but also for the 20th and 35th anniversaries.
June – Pearl
Pearls are widely popular due to their beauty and uniqueness. They are the only stone created by a living thing and can come in various shapes and sizes. Ancient Greeks associated pearls with the gods due to their purity and unblemished surfaces. In modern times, wearing a pearl symbolises wisdom and strengthens one’s perseverance. As a result, they have long been given as a wedding gift and for a 30th anniversary.
July – Ruby
Rubies are well-renowned for their deep red hue and hardness being only second to diamonds. Moreover, the rarity of larger stones makes them all the more precious, meaning gifting such a ruby is highly regarded. These gemstones have always been associated with feelings of warmth and love and symbolise courage and power. Rubies are traditionally given during 15th and 40th anniversaries.
August – Peridot
This birthstone for August is traditionally found in a lime green colour. However, because peridots are usually formed during volcanic activity, this can also create a yellowish-brown tone in the stone. This also distinguishes them from green emeralds. The peridot was said to be the ‘gem of the sun’ by ancient Egyptians, protecting wearers at night from evil spirits. Gifting or wearing a peridot stone symbolises strong relationships and success. They are also the classic gift for 16th wedding anniversaries.
September – Sapphire
Sapphire can be found in a range of colours, from pink to yellow, but they are most well-known for their pure blue hue. In the Middle Ages, these stones were said to protect wearers from impure thoughts and symbolise innocence. In contemporary times, sapphires represent sincerity, prophecy and good fortune. As a symbol of a couple’s lasting adoration, blue sapphires are commonly used to commemorate 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries.
October – Tourmaline & Opal
Tourmaline is the birthstone for October and is well-renowned for the variety of colours that it can be found in. Moreover, some of these stones can even show multiple colours in a single gem, making them a widely popular choice. Thanks to their vibrant look, Tourmaline is said to inspire creativity and is a symbol of peace, with the ability to ease fears. They are the ideal gift for an 8th anniversary.
Opals are another gemstone associated with October and are often linked with feelings of faith and confidence.
November – Citrine & Topaz
The birthstone for November is Citrine, a form of quartz related to amethysts, being created when the latter is superheated to form a glowing yellow hue. These bright stones are closely tied to the sun and were said to bring prosperity to merchants in the past. Today, it symbolises constant feelings of happiness and good health. Citrines are traditionally used to celebrate the 13th wedding anniversary.
An alternative birthstone for November is the topaz, which can come in a variety of shades including blue and yellow, causing it to be commonly confused with Citrine. It was similarly thought to bring about calm and fortune to those that wore it.
December – Tanzanite, Turquoise & Zircon
December is often linked with three gemstones. Each of these gems is well-known for its varying shades of blue colour. Tanzanite is a relatively new addition to birthstones and is named for the only location it can be found, Tanzania. It has a faint purple shimmer in addition to the deep blue colour. Because of this, they are often linked to calming properties and helping with perception. The stone has also become the symbol for the 24th wedding anniversary.
Turquoise was originally brought in from Turkey and is one of the oldest known gemstones in the world. It was used by Ancient Egyptians and early Native Americans in rituals as a way to protect against diseases and evil. Wearing this blue-green stone today is said to help facilitate positive personality traits such as serenity, happiness and honesty. Turquoise is the gemstone that also represents the 11th wedding anniversary.
Zircon is found in a wide range of colours, but it is most popular in blue. It is also one of the oldest minerals on Earth, with signs pointing to its existing over 4 billion years ago. In the Middle Ages, it was used as a guard against the plague and was supposed to help with sleep. Like its peers, blue zircon is now tied to soothing properties, increasing a person’s self-confidence and motivation.
Birthstones are a class of gemstones that have remained popular throughout the world due to what they represent for the wearers. The strong personal connection to someone’s birth month makes them ideal as a gift for that special someone or yourself! Adding a birthstone to your outfits and collection is also another great way to create a look that is uniquely yours.
Find the perfect jewellery piece at Gregory Jewellers today.
