What are the birthstones for each month?
Birthstones come in a rainbow of colours and have always been popular for gifting and for gemstone lovers to collect. Chances are, at some point in your life you have received or will probably receive a gift adorned with your birthstone. At the least, you might already know what your own gemstone is just like most people will know what star sign they are.
Did you know though that birthstones date back centuries to biblical times and probably earlier than that? There are several references made in the Book of Exodus to gemstones especially in times of battle with shields and body armour being adorned with crystals for protection. High priests, like Aaron, wore breast plates adorned with 12 stones thought to represent the 12 tribes of Israel, the 12 months of the year and the 12 zodiac signs. Historically they have been associated with religious traditions and culture but that focus has broadened to more spiritual and holistic practices over the years. However, our appreciation for precious beautiful stones is not new and since their discovery continue to fascinate us through every generation.
Birthstones are thought to have special protective and celestial powers and each comes with its own history and legend. You’ll find that different countries and cultures may have their own interpretations and even different stones entirely. During the Silk Road trading era, when Western and Eastern cultures connected more, the exposure to new materials and gemstones and their uses evolved. Stories and ideas about the gemstones also spread. People collected them to have an entire collection they could set into belts, bracelets and ornaments. It was around the 16th century that it became popular for people to wear one stone for their birth month and this trend likely came out of Germany or Poland. Scholars are still arguing which one is correct. There was also a change to the birthstones for each month around this time so you’ll find there is a traditional list and a modern version.
Ancient astrologers, pagans, healers and spiritualists have used crystals, minerals and stones to connect the spiritual and physical worlds, to have heightened powers when they wear their own stone in the month they were born, to heal their ailments and to ward off evil spirits acting as talismans, and scientists; geologists, mineralogists and gemmologists, have collected them to learn and study our planet Earth. Regardless of what you believe, birthstones can be fun and a great way to gift someone jewellery. For jewellery inspiration and ideas it can be a jumping off base. Of course, you can wear any gemstone you like and not everyone will like their own birthstone. Some love the array of colours or one particular colour. There are no rules, no right or wrong. Jewellery should be enjoyed and is about personal expression and taste.
If you’re not sure of someone’s birthstone or are looking for ideas for gifting, then look no further. Here we have made a list of all the birthstones for each month and for some added whimsy, noted their alleged magical powers! Feel free to check out our shop and inspiration page for gemstone jewellery, click the photos to see more of our gemstone pieces or contact us if you’d like something bespoke commissioned. We look forward to welcoming you in our showroom!
Birthstones for each month:
January: Garnet
Protective stone, acts as a shield, red garnet symbolises love
Colours: comes in many; red, purplish, Tsavorite green, yellow, orange
February: Amethyst
Encourages spirituality, healing, mental clarity
Colours: purple, bluish or reddish purple
Some prasiolites have been labelled “green amethyst” because they are a green quartz but true amethyst is only purple
March: Aquamarine modern, Bloodstone traditional
Aquamarine: Latin for “of the sea”, said to protect seafarers, marital happiness,
foster superior intellect
Colour: Light blue/green hues
Bloodstone: Protect against evil spirits, bring good fortune, helps with circulation and health,
associated with the crucification of Jesus Christ where drops of His blood hit the earth solidifying
into stone as they dried
Colour: dark green with deep red
April: Diamond
Durability, strength, eternal love
Colours: colourless and an array of fancy colours
To learn more about diamonds read our 4Cs guide here!
May: Emerald
Gives the wearer heightened intelligence, to think objectively, promotes healing, clairvoyance
Colours: green, deep, dark with blue undertones
June: Alexandrite modern, Pearl traditional
Alexandrite: Luck, prosperity, intellect, balances the spiritual and physical states
Colours: it is a colour changing chrysoberyl so in incandescent light will look: red, orange, purple and
in sunlight will appear: green, green blue, dark blue
Pearl: Honesty, purity, romance, wisdom
Colours: white, black, green, gold, silver, pink and. many more
July: Ruby
Worn by warriors, gives strength, physicality, stamina, good luck and allows the wearer to navigate
passionate social situations and calms anger
Colours: rich blood reds to pinkish reds
August: Peridot/spinel modern, Sardonyx traditional
Peridot: Protection during the night, wards off evil spirits
Colours: lime green, green with yellowish overtones, olive green
Sardonyx: Courage, happiness, clear communication
Colours: red and white banded, reddish brown, red to orange, red to black
Bespoke Lalique inspired ring with peridot
September: Sapphire
Gives protection, is highly spiritual
Colours: variety from pinks, oranges, yellows to blues and greens
October: Tourmaline modern, Opal traditional
Tourmaline: Promotes healing, confidence, love, courage, stamina, strength, supports the Chakras
Colours: blue, blueish green, green, reddish pink, brown, watermelon bicolour
Opal: Light and magic, healing for the eyes, good luck
Colours: Fire opal orange, black/blue, creamy white with flashes of colour play
November: Citrine modern, Golden Topaz traditional
Citrine: Healing, happiness, relief from physical and psychological ailments
Colours: warm yellow, oranges with hints of brown
Golden Topaz: Health, love, astrology, wealth
Colours: topaz comes in a variety of colours but the golden hues vary from yellow, orange, to pink
and pinkish red
December: Tanzanite/zircon modern, Turquoise/lapis lazuli traditional
Tanzanite: Facilitates higher consciousness and stimulates intuition, perception, detoxes the body
and is calming
Colours: blueish purple, grey purple
Zircon: Grounding stone, inspires, motivates, gives guidance
Colours: many; blue, brown, champagne, cinnamon, golden honey, raspberry, red, saffron
Turquoise: Protection, luck, abundance, hope
Light sky blue with or without dark veins
Lapis lazuli: Wisdom, inner tuition, unblocks the third eye, self expression and creative thinking,
confidence
Colours: blue and gold-brown
