Each month of the year has a gemstone traditionally associated with it. These birthstones carry their own meanings, stories and symbolism, from love and protection to wisdom, renewal and good fortune.
So, what is your birthstone, and what does it mean?
January: Garnet
January’s birthstone is garnet, a gemstone most often recognised for its rich, deep red colour. Traditionally, garnet is associated with protection, strength and loyalty. It has long been seen as a stone for safe travel, making it a thoughtful choice for someone starting a new chapter.
February: Amethyst
Amethyst is the birthstone for February. With its beautiful purple colour, it has an elegant, almost regal feel. Amethyst is often linked with calm, clarity and inner strength, which makes it a meaningful stone for someone who values balance and composure.
March: Aquamarine
March’s birthstone is aquamarine. Pale blue and fresh in appearance, aquamarine is connected with the sea and is often said to represent peace, courage and clear communication. It is a particularly graceful choice for jewellery, especially in rings, pendants and delicate earrings.
April: Diamond
April has perhaps the most famous birthstone of all: diamond. Known for its brilliance and durability, diamond symbolises love, strength and endurance. While diamonds are most closely associated with engagement rings, they also make beautiful birthday gifts, especially in antique and vintage jewellery designs where the stones often have a softer, more romantic character.
May: Emerald
Emerald is the birthstone for May. Its vivid green colour has made it one of the most treasured gemstones for centuries. Emerald is associated with renewal, love and wisdom, making it a fitting stone for spring birthdays. In antique jewellery, emeralds often feel especially luxurious, particularly when paired with diamonds or yellow gold.
June: Pearl, Moonstone and Alexandrite
June has more than one birthstone, with pearl being the most traditional. Pearls are associated with elegance, purity and wisdom, and have a timeless quality that makes them just as wearable today as they were generations ago. Moonstone is linked with intuition and femininity, while alexandrite, known for its rare colour-changing quality, is often connected with luck and transformation.
July: Ruby
Ruby is the birthstone for July, and it is one of the most passionate gemstones in jewellery. Its deep red colour is associated with love, energy and protection. Fine rubies, especially untreated or rare origin stones such as Burmese rubies, are highly desirable and often treasured by collectors.
August: Peridot, Spinel and Sardonyx
August’s best-known birthstone is peridot, a bright green gemstone associated with positivity, good fortune and protection. Spinel is another August birthstone and comes in a beautiful range of colours, including pink, red and violet. Sardonyx is the more traditional choice and is linked with courage and confidence.
September: Sapphire
September’s birthstone is sapphire. Most people think of sapphire as a rich blue gemstone, although it can appear in other colours too. Sapphire is associated with wisdom, loyalty and truth, which is why it has long been a favourite for engagement rings and heirloom jewellery. It is also a wonderfully durable gemstone, making it ideal for pieces worn often.
October: Opal and Tourmaline
October has two birthstones: opal and tourmaline. Opal is known for its beautiful play of colour and is often associated with creativity, hope and individuality. Tourmaline comes in many shades, including pink and green, and is linked with compassion and emotional balance.
November: Topaz and Citrine
November’s birthstones are topaz and citrine. Topaz is often connected with warmth, affection and good fortune, while citrine, with its golden yellow colour, is associated with joy, energy and abundance. Both stones have a lovely warmth, making them especially appealing in yellow gold settings.
December: Turquoise, Tanzanite and Zircon
December has three birthstones: turquoise, tanzanite and zircon. Turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones used in jewellery and is traditionally associated with protection and good luck. Tanzanite, with its blue-violet tone, symbolises rarity and individuality. Zircon is admired for its brilliance and is often linked with wisdom and prosperity.
Choosing Birthstone Jewellery
The beauty of birthstone jewellery is that it feels personal, but still leaves plenty of room for style. Some people choose their own birthstone, while others choose the birthstone of a partner, child or loved one. Others simply fall in love with a gemstone because of its colour, history or meaning.
There are no strict rules. You can wear your own birthstone, someone else’s, or a gemstone that simply means something to you. The best jewellery is always the piece you feel connected to.
