Birthstone jewelry is a beautiful and special addition to any jewelry collection. It's inherently personal and always in style, hence why it’s an ever-popular choice for birthday, anniversary, and holiday gifts. When you buy a birthstone piece for yourself or a loved one, you’re not only giving the gift of beauty, but also of meaning.
Since ancient times, each birthstone has been connected to unique properties, symbolism, and mystical powers. What powerful meaning does your birthstone hold? Find out as we go over everything to know about your birthstone gemstones.
January
January Birthstone: Garnet
The January birthstone is garnet, a lush red gemstone named for its resemblance to a pomegranate seed. Like punica granatum, garnets have long been associated with regeneration and enduring passion. Ancient people believed that garnet would protect the wearer from harm and strengthen bonds between lovers.
February
February Birthstone: Amethyst
The February birthstone is amethyst, the soft purple variety of quartz. Amethyst gemstones are associated with mental clarity, business savvy, and spirituality. Due to its regal purple hue, amethyst is also a symbol of royalty.
March
March Birthstones: Aquamarine and Bloodstone
The modern March birthstone is aquamarine, the lovely light blue variety of beryl. This glittering blue gem takes its name from the Latin word for “seawater.” Aquamarine is strongly associated with sailors and the sea, and is also thought to promote balance and calmness.
The traditional March birthstone is bloodstone, an opaque gemstone that varies in color. Most commonly, bloodstone is deep green with flecks of red. Like aquamarine, bloodstone is a grounding stone associated with balance and calm. Bloodstone is also connected to courage and wisdom, and is thought to help strengthen one’s sense of self.
April
April Birthstone: Diamond
The April birthstone is diamond, the most brilliant gemstone on earth. Diamonds are a symbol of love, purity, and eternity, making them a popular choice for engagement rings and wedding bands. When worn as a birthstone, diamonds are also associated with attracting abundance and promoting inner strength.
May
May Birthstone: Emerald
The May birthstone is emerald, a precious gemstone that’s famous for its mesmerizing green color. Emeralds are a symbol of power, confidence, and new beginnings. Emeralds are also associated with luxury and royalty. Emeralds have been the favorite jewel of many royals throughout the ages, including Cleopatra.
June
June Birthstones: Pearl, Alexandrite, and Moonstone
The traditional June birthstone is the lustrous pearl, a naturally beautiful gemstone that requires no polishing. Pearls are a symbol of purity, peace, luck, and love. Pearls have been prized since ancient times, when Ancient Greeks believed that pearls were hardened tears of joy from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love.
The modern June birthstones are alexandrite and moonstone. Alexandrite, one of the rarest gemstones on earth, shifts from green to purplish red depending on the light. The uniquely transformative alexandrite is associated with good fortune and positive change. Moonstone is a type of feldspar that’s beloved for having adularescence, a glow-like type of light reflection. Moonstone is associated with the moon, relaxation, love, and feminine energy.
July
July Birthstone: Ruby
The July birthstone is ruby, a breathtaking red gemstone associated with passion, power, nobility, and love. Named for the Latin ruber, meaning red, rubies have been considered a symbol of life force and energy for thousands of years. Throughout the ages, people have believed rubies had mystical powers of protection.
August
August Birthstones: Peridot
The August birthstone is peridot, a vibrant green gemstone that forms under extraordinary conditions. This light green gem is often found within hardened lava or on meteorites that came to Earth from outer space. Peridot is considered a very lucky gemstone and is associated with prosperity, good health, and peace.
September
September Birthstone: Sapphire
The September birthstone is sapphire, a precious gemstone that occurs in a beautiful variety of colors. While sapphires can be found in almost every color of the rainbow, blue sapphire is most strongly tied to the month of September. The deep blue variety of sapphire is associated with wisdom and spirituality, and has also been considered a protective gemstone. When worn in an engagement ring, blue sapphire is considered a symbol of love, fidelity, and loyalty.
October
October Birthstones: Opal and Tourmaline
The traditional October birthstone is opal, a stunning gemstone with a dynamic appearance. Precious opals are the only gemstones that display what jewelers refer to as play-of-color, a unique flashing of rainbow colors. The opal’s play-of-color is magical to behold, so it’s easy to see why people associate opals with mystical properties. Throughout the ages, people have worn opal necklaces as talismans designed to ward off evil and attract good luck.
The modern October birthstone is tourmaline, a transparent gem that comes in an array of colors, including black, green, and pink. Tourmaline can also be bicolored. A popular form of bicolored tourmaline is the pink and green watermelon tourmaline. Different colors of tourmaline are associated with unique meanings. Pink tourmaline is a symbol of love and compassion, green tourmaline is tied to stamina and courage, and black tourmaline is thought to promote self-confidence.
November
November Birthstones: Citrine and Topaz
The modern November birthstone is citrine, a cheerful yellow gemstone that ancient people believed held the power of the sun. The yellow form of quartz, citrine is most strongly associated with health and happiness. Citrine is thought to help boost the mood, ease stress, and promote overall well being.
The traditional November birthstone is topaz, a gemstone that occurs in a range of colors. The November birth month is most commonly associated with yellow and orange topaz, both of which are associated with fire and the sun. Ancient Greeks and Romans believed that yellow topaz had healing powers and could prevent injury.
December
December Birthstones: Blue Topaz, Tanzanite, Blue Zircon, Turquoise, and Lapis Lazuli
If you were born during the final month of the year, you have a wealth of beautiful blue birthstone options to choose from. With five associated gemstones, December has more birthstone options than any other month.
The three modern December birthstones are blue topaz, tanzanite, and blue zircon. Blue topaz, the most popular December birthstone, is a clear blue gemstone that symbolizes intelligence, love, and trust. Tanzanite is a violet-blue transparent gemstone that’s thought to promote creativity and help people recognize their strengths. Blue zircon is a transparent blue gemstone that creates strong fire, the rainbow sparkle emitted from gemstones. Blue zircon is connected to mental clarity, self-confidence, and purity.
The two traditional December birthstones are turquoise and lapis lazuli. Turquoise, known for its blue-green color, is an opaque gemstone that symbolizes strength, understanding, kindness, and protection. Lapis lazuli is a metamorphic rock with a deep blue color. This ancient gem is associated with wisdom, honor, and having a strong sense of self.
Birthstone Jewelry Gifts
Whether you’re shopping for a loved one or treating yourself, birthstone jewelry always makes a great gift. Find your perfect birthstone jewelry gift at JustDesi. Browse our birthstone charms here or get in touch with us to create a custom birthstone piece. Our expert jewelers can create any birthstone design you dream of, including pieces that feature more rare birthstones.