Birthstones are precious stones that represent each month of the year. Birthstones are worn as a declaration of the month in which one celebrates their birthday or to represent the births of loved ones.
January – Garnet
Among the most diverse and widespread gemstones, January’s birthstone Garnet, is available in a vast array of colours ranging from the trademark deep pomegranate hue that inspired its name, to purple, blue and green.
Garnet was first mined in Bohemia over 5000 years ago and reached its peak popularity during the Victorian era. Today, the continent of Africa leads in producing the vast majority of the global Garnet supply found in modern jewellery .
Historically, Garnet was thought to remedy inflammation and internal turmoil during medieval times and believed to help replace self-doubt with greater confidence according to Indian Astrology.
Ranging between 6.5-7 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, Garnet is more susceptible to wear and tear than rubies, sapphires, and diamonds. While suitable for daily wear, ensuring your pieces do not scratch against harder stones is key to maintaining their beauty.
Interested in learning more? Click HERE to visit the Gemological Institute of America’s Website.
February – Amethyst
February’s birthstone; Amethyst, is the purple variety of the mineral Quartz. It is associated with the Greek God of Wine; Dionysus, for its rich wine-like tones. Amethyst is believed to bestow strength and keep its wearers mind clear.
Until the 19th century, Amethyst was primarily mined in Russia. There are now mines worldwide - as close as Phoenix, Arizona.
Ranking 7 on the Hardness Scale, Amethyst is suitable for daily wear, with caution around harder stones such as Diamonds, Rubies or Sapphires, as these could cause scratches.
Interested in learning more? Click HERE to visit the Gemological Institute of America’s Website.
March – Aquamarine
Believed to protect sailors at sea and calm waves, Aquamarine is the blue variety of Beryl, named for its resemblance to seawater.
For the past two centuries, Brazil has served as an important source of Aquamarine, with other mines across Africa, Russia and the United States.
Ranking 7.5-8 on the Hardness Scale, Aquamarine is suitable for daily wear, with caution around harder stones such as Diamonds, Rubies or Sapphires, as these could cause scratches.
Interested in learning more? Click HERE to visit the Gemological Institute of America’s Website.
Alternative birthstone for March is Bloodstone.
April – Diamond
One of the world’s most sought-after stones, April’s Birthstone Diamond, was named Adamas by the Greek, which translates to ‘invincible,’ speaking to its remarkable strength.
Being the only gem comprised of one single element; carbon, Diamonds form under high pressure and temperature conditions that only occur over 160 kilometers (100 miles) below the earth's surface.
Diamond trades date back as early as the 4th Century BCE where they were gathered from rivers and streams in India and sought-after by the rich and wealthy.
Now mined around the world, Diamonds are believed to hold healing powers, providing their wearer prosperity and longevity.
The most durable of all stones, Diamonds rank 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, meaning they are stronger than all other natural formations and can scratch all other surfaces.
Interested in learning more? Click HERE to visit the Gemological Institute of America’s Website.
May – Emerald
Emerald is one of the most well-known and iconic stones dating back to ancient times. The origin of its name comes from smaragdus; the ancient Greek word for green and has captured the imaginations of Roman Pharoah to Incan Empires. Cleopatra was known to be passionate for Emeralds and owned a vast collection. The first known Emerald mines date back to 330 BC in Egypt. Today, Emerald is mined globally, with its primary source from Columbia.
Emerald is the most popular of the Beryl family of mineral species, which includes Aquamarine. Emerald ranges from vivid green to blue green.
Emerald was once also believed to cure diseases like cholera and malaria, as well as providing wit and intelligence to their wearer. The colour green is scientifically known to relieve stress and eye strain.
Ranking 7.5-8 on the Hardness Scale, Emerald is suitable for daily wear, with caution around harder stones such as Diamonds, Rubies or Sapphires, as these could cause scratches. Emeralds do require particular care, such as avoiding heat and harsh chemicals.
Interested in learning more? Click HERE to visit the Gemological Institute of America’s Website.
June – Pearl
Pearls – both natural and cultured, are one of the most beloved of all gems, and originate from oceans, lakes, and rivers around the world. Cultured Pearls are available as four main groups; Akoya, South Seas, Tahitian, and Freshwater.
Pearls come in a variety of colours; the most familiar being white and cream. They are comprised of the mineral Calcium Carbonate and can be produced in most shelled mollusks. Pearls are formed around a microscopic irritant introduced into the mollusk’s soft tissue that the mollusk coats with nacre to produce a pearl’s iridescence. Natural Pearls; the rarest, are created without human intervention, while the more plentiful cultured Pearls are the result of the deliberate insertion of an irritant.
The oldest pearl mentioned dates from 2206 BC. Cultured pearls date back to hundreds of years ago in China, with whole cultured Pearls being pioneered successfully in Japan in the early twentieth century and since then, production has spread worldwide.
Associated with purity, humility and innocence, Pearls are also thought to bring relief from numerous diseases and conditions ranging from infertility to depression.
Ranking 2.5-3 on the Hardness Scale, Pearls are a soft gem requiring special care. Daily wear is not recommended and should be worn with caution around harder stones such as Diamonds, Rubies or Sapphires, as these could cause scratches.
Interested in learning more? Click HERE to visit the Gemological Institute of America’s Website.
Alternative birthstones for June are Moonstone and Alexandrite.
July – Ruby
Referred to as ‘King of the precious stones’ in ancient India, Ruby is one of the most rare, highly valued and important gemstones in the coloured stone market, and ranges in different hues of red to deep blood red. Derived from the Latin word ruber, meaning ‘red’– Rubies have always been one of the most coveted gems globally throughout history, and is associated with the lifeforce of blood, power, beauty and passion. It has long been a signifier of wealth and success in the Western world, being sought after by both European royalty and the upper class since Medieval times.
Ruby is the most valuable variety of the corundum mineral species, which includes Sapphire. The trace element Chromium is responsible for the red colour in Rubies. First mined in Myanmar (formerly Burma) centuries ago, Rubies later became sourced primarily from Vietnam, extending to other countries; Mozambique now being an important source.
Second most durable to Diamonds, Rubies rank 9 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness and are suitable for daily wear.
Interested in learning more? Click HERE to visit the Gemological Institute of America’s Website.
August – Peridot
Peridot, sometimes called Chrysolite, is an olive-green gemstone in the Olivine mineral family. It is one of the few gemstones to appear in only one colour. Its name traditionally derives from the word faridat; meaning ‘gem’ in Arabic. It is often confused with Topaz and Emerald, due to its similar colour characteristics.
Topazios, an ancient island in the Red Sea now known as Zabargad, is where Peridot was first recorded, and it is believed that mining began as early as around 300 BCE. Today, Peridot is mined globally, with Myanmar and Arizona being important sources, but has been also found on meteorites and volcanic locations such as Hawaii.
As early as the Second Century BCE, Peridot appeared in religious and ceremonial practice in the ancient world, and later in the chalices and churches of medieval Europe. Throughout history it was used as a protective talisman, believed to shield the wearer from evil spirits and night terrors.
Ranking 6.5-7 on the Hardness Scale, Peridot is a softer gem and must be worn with caution around harder stones such as Diamonds, Rubies or Sapphires, as these could cause scratches.
Interested in learning more? Click HERE to visit the Gemological Institute of America’s Website.
Alternative birthstones are Spinel and Sardonyx.
September – Sapphire
Like Rubies, Sapphire belongs to the Corundum family of minerals. It is mostly associated as a blue gemstone but can also occur in the full spectrum of colours, referred to as Fancy Sapphires. Parti Sapphires are the phenomena where a Sapphire can show two or more colours.
The Greek word Sappheiros, which means “blue stone” is where the Latin word Sapphirus comes from and where we get the name Sapphire. The trace elements iron and titanium are responsible for why a blue Sapphire gets its colour. There are many Sapphire deposits around the world, but the high-quality sources are mined in the Indian subcontinent, Madagascar, and Myanmar.
The Sapphire is a symbol of truth, nobility, fidelity, and sincerity. Blue symbolized Heaven in the Middle Ages and adorned clergy and royalty alike. The most famous engagement ring and iconic of royal jewels; a 12-carat oval Ceylon Sapphire surrounded by a 14-diamond halo, was gifted to Princess Diana by Prince Charles in 1981.
Sapphires are exceptionally durable and rank 9 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness and are suitable for daily wear.
Interested in learning more? Click HERE to visit the Gemological Institute of America’s Website.
October – Opal
Opal, known for its dramatic, shifting Kaleidoscopic colours referred to as “play-of-colour,” the Queen of Gems stands out in uniqueness and character amongst other gemstones. From Roman times to the Middle Ages, Opal was believed to encompass all the virtues and powers of all other coloured stones, thus, bearing associations of good luck and the supernatural.
Upala in ancient Sanskrit, meaning “precious stone,” is believed to be where the name Opal derives. Opal is classified as a Mineraloid due to its lack of a crystalline structure, which is what defines a true mineral. It is composed of microscopic spheres of hydrated silica deposited deep in the earth driven by soaking rain in dry desert regions.
Opal ranges in a variety of body colours: from white (the most common), to gray, blue, orange, brown, and black (the rarest). Primary sources are Australia and Ethiopia.
Opal is a soft gemstone that ranges from 5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness and should be stored by itself to prevent jewellery set with harder gems such as Diamonds, Sapphires and Rubies from scratching. Avoiding heat and harsh chemicals is also recommended.
Interested in learning more? Click HERE to visit the Gemological Institute of America’s Website.
Alternative birthstone for October is Tourmaline.
November – Citrine
Derived from the French word citron, for “lemon” - Citrine is a yellow to brownish orange variety of Quartz. Whether used decoratively in ornamental carvings, to adorn objects in battle such as shields and swords or worn as a talisman, Quartz has been a popular gem since ancient times - hitting its peak popularity as a fashionable jewellery choice in Victorian Scotland.
Natural Citrine is rare, as most Citrine in the modern market is heat-treated Amethyst. Natural Citrine is sourced from Bolivia, Spain, Uruguay, Mexico, and Madagascar, while Amethyst that is typically heat treated is mined mainly from Brazil.
Today, Citrine is believed to radiate positive energy, healing, joy, and abundance.
Ranking 7 on the Hardness Scale, Citrine is suitable for daily wear, with caution around harder stones such as Diamonds, Rubies or Sapphires, as these could cause scratches.
Interested in learning more? Click HERE to visit the Gemological Institute of America’s Website.
December – Blue Topaz
Topaz is a silicate mineral that is most associated as a yellow gemstone, but ranges in a full spectrum of colours. Its name is derived from the Greek word topazius - formerly the name of Zabargad; a remote island in the Red Sea where historically Peridot was mined and mistaken for Topaz.
Dating back to ancient times, and is believed to give the wearer strength, intelligence, and long life.
There is a variety of Blue Topaz ranging from lighter hues referred to as Sky Blue Topaz, to more vivid called Swiss Blue Topaz, and London Blue Topaz; the deepest blue hued variety. The majority of blue Topaz is found in Brazil, although due to its rarity, most blue Topaz is treated to achieve a blue colour.
Ranking 7.5-8 on the Hardness Scale, Topaz is suitable for daily wear, with caution around harder stones such as Diamonds, Rubies or Sapphires, as these could cause scratches.
Interested in learning more? Click HERE to visit the Gemological Institute of America’s Website.
Other birthstones for December are Turquoise and Tanzanite.
