We all know that birthstones are very important for some people as an appreciation of their birth month but what do they symbolize? Let’s find out.
Although garnet is commonly associated with the colour red, these gemstones can be found in almost any colour and are popular choices for the jewellery of all types. That’s excellent news if you’re in the market for the January birthstone. The garnet family is one of the most complexes in the gem world. It’s not a single species but rather consists of several species and varieties.
Some believe that garnets are a protective stone, shielding the wearer from injury. This made them particularly popular amongst warriors and royalty. Occasionally associated with life-giving blood, red-variety garnets are also connected to vitality, love, and light.
Amethyst is crystalline quartz in colours ranging from pale lilac to deep reddish-purple. It has a relatively high hardness of 7, which means it’s very scratch resistant. The February birthstone makes a fine gem for any kind of jewellery.
As the colour purple has long been connected with royalty, amethysts were favoured by the ruling class. Over time, amethysts have also come to be associated with spirituality, mental clarity, and healing.
Named after the colour of seawater, aquamarine is the blue to a blue-green member of the beryl family. Readily available and moderately priced, the March birthstone makes an excellent jewellery stone.
The name “aquamarine” comes from the Latin for “seawater”, and the stones were thought to protect seafarers. Some associate aquamarines with marital happiness and superior intellect.
Diamond is the most popular ring stone choice in the world. These gems are prized for their classic beauty and clarity, and diamond jewellery has become a status symbol.
Due to their extreme hardness, overall durability, and undeniable beauty, diamonds are associated with strength and eternal love. It is no wonder that they are commonly used in both engagement and wedding ring designs.
Emerald has been synonymous with the colour green since ancient times. A fine emerald is a truly breathtaking sight, and this member of the beryl family deserves its placement among the traditional “Big Four” gems, along with diamond, ruby, and sapphire.
Legend has it that wearing emeralds will imbue the wearer with heightened intelligence and allow them to think objectively. Others use the stone to promote healing. It has even been claimed that emeralds allow the wearer to predict the future.
“Emerald by day, ruby by night,” alexandrite is well-known for displaying one of the most remarkable colour changes in the gem world — green in sunlight and red in incandescent light. However, this modern June birthstone is so rare and expensive few people have even seen a natural alexandrite.
“Emerald by day, ruby by night,” alexandrite is well-known for displaying one of the most remarkable colour changes in the gem world — green in sunlight and red in incandescent light. However, this modern June birthstone is so rare and expensive few people have even seen a natural alexandrite.
One of the most popular traditional jewellery stones, ruby is exceptionally durable. Its colours — always red — can reach vivid levels of saturation. Fine-quality rubies are some of the most expensive gemstones, with record prices over $1,000,000 per carat.
Rubies have long been connected with physicality and strength. Favoured by warriors, rubies were thought to be intimately connected with the human body. They were credited with increasing the strength and stamina of the wearer. Rubies were also thought to calm anger and help the wearer navigate passionate social situations.
The modern August birthstone, peridot has been prized as a jewellery stone since ancient times. Always green in colour but with considerable variations, a peridot’s particular shade depends on its source.
Peridots have been credited with protecting their wearer during the night. This is due to the fact that the lively appearance of peridot fostered ancient associations between the gemstone and the sun. It was thought that keeping the stone close during dark hours repelled nighttime evil spirits.
Few gems have held our attention over millennia as well as sapphire. Its pure blue colours and excellent durability make it an exceptional gemstone. However, not all sapphires are blue. The September birthstone comes in many colours.
Sapphires are considered a protective gemstones. They may shield the wearer from physical harm as well as bad intentions and envy. It was also thought that sapphires had medicinal properties. Blue sapphires are considered a highly spiritual stone worn by priests. Lastly, sapphires are among the few gemstones that can exhibit natural asterism in the form of a six-rayed star.
No other gem comes in as many colours, including multi-colours, like tourmaline, the modern October birthstone. Some of these colour combinations are incredible.
Tourmalines enjoy worldwide popularity. Some people believe tourmalines have healing and stress-relieving properties. Tourmalines have also been credited with boosting creativity and are favoured by artists and writers. Others wear them to soothe a broken heart.
Citrine is the yellow to red-orange variety of crystalline quartz. Clever marketing and the rise of “earth tone” fashions have made this durable and readily available gem a popular modern birthstone in recent years.
A cousin of amethyst, citrine is also part of the quartz family. Citrine is predominantly associated with healing and happiness. Whether you’re having a stomach ache, suffering from insomnia, or just feeling stressed, citrines are thought to bring relief.
Found in Tanzania, tanzanite can show intense blue and violet hues after heat treatment. It can mimic fine sapphire at a fraction of the price but requires a protective setting.
Tanzanite is believed by some to facilitate a higher consciousness, intuition, and perception. Its blue colour is also thought to bring calmness to the wearer.
