Birthstones Buying Guide

Birthstone jewellery  makes a great gift!  Whether for a birthday  or an anniversary,  nothing is quite as special as the remembrance shown with a birthstone.   Explore our guide to learn more about the qualities of each month!  

January Garnet  The stone for the first month of the calendar year is the ruby red garnet,  given its name after the seeds of the pomegranate.   Though most commonly known as the red gemstone, a garnet can come in a variety of other colours.  The garnet is also known as the protective gem of journeyers.  A gift of garnet is thought to be symbolic of love and the desire for a loved one's safe travel  and speedy homecoming.  This striking stone is perfect for rings  or cuff links,  with white metals emphasising its colour depth and yellow gold giving it a regal appearance.	February Amethyst  The deep purple stone of February is the amethyst,  often thought to provide well-being.  In ancient myth, the amethyst provides protection from intoxication and has adapted the modern symbol for peace.   Amethyst was once considered more valuable than diamonds.  As a member of the quartz  family, it occurs naturally as crystals  within rocks. The gift of amethyst is symbolic of protection and the power to overcome difficulty.  It is said to strengthen the bond of love in a relationship, so it is an ideal anniversary  or engagement  gem.  Whether or not amethyst holds such power, it's stunning beauty will certainly make anyone who wears it feel extra special.	March Aquamarine  If you can picture the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean, you can understand the colour of March's stone, aquamarine,  literally named after these waters (aqua) by the ancient Greeks.  Aquamarine varies in colour from blue-green to a light sky blue, but gems containing green are often heat-treated to remove this less desirable tone.  The majority of aquamarines, unlike other gemstones,  are flawless. A gift of aquamarine symbolises both safety and security, especially within long standing relationships.  Some people even say that the aquamarine reawakens love in a tired marriage,  so if you want to bring back that spark in your partner's eyes, you might consider this gem as a gift!	April Diamond  April's birthstone, the diamond,  is remarkably simple in composition, yet stunning in its unique ability to reflect and refract light into vivid flashes of brilliant colour.  As one of the hardest substances on the planet, this stone has been revered throughout history.  Formed deep within the earth where there is intense heat and pressure, diamonds are simply crystallised carbon.  Volcanic activity of centuries ago brought these gemstones  to the earth's surface, where they are found either within volcanic rock formations or washed out into rivers. The gift of a diamond  is a symbol of everlasting love.  There is no more convincing a promise of an enduring relationship than this timeless gemstone.

May Emerald  Spring is time for new growth and rebirth, and the intense glow of May's birthstone, the emerald,  is refreshing to the eye!  Its flecks of colour have been marked through history as a resemblance of new foliage.  In the past, emeralds were linked to the ability to see into the future. However, in the present, the gem is believed to stand for good health.    Some people believe that wearing an emerald brings wisdom, growth, and patience, and as any couple in a long-term relationship would agree, all of these qualities are essential for a successful and lasting love.	June Pearl  From one of the humblest life forms, the mollusc, comes the June birthstone of the pearl.   It is a true symbol of beauty and elegance.   Pearls have been a passion and even an obsession of people throughout the ages.  They have been ground up and used in cosmetics  and as a medicine to treat heart and stomach conditions.  These gems  have also adorned crowns, clothing, and temples, and were said to be a favourite of Cleopatra.  They continue to be viewed as a mark of taste and refinement as well as a symbol of purity, and they are often given to celebrate a marriage or the birth of a child.  Pearls are nature's perfect gift, suitable for all ages, and elegantly worn with everything from jeans  to an evening gown.	July Ruby  The ruby's red  colour speaks of heat and passion.  Ancient tribes used the gem as bullets  for blowguns, and it was said that a pot  of water would boil instantly if a ruby was tossed into it. Rubies are a variety of Corundum, a mineral found as crystals in rock.  This is the second hardest mineral, next to diamonds,  and is found as a sapphire  in any colour other than red.  The larger the ruby,  the greater its value. It has been said that the ruby's glow comes from an internal flame that cannot be extinguished, making it a perfect stone to give as a token of love.  Ancient lore also says that it will bring good luck and fortune to those who wear it on their left hand, making it a unique alternative for an engagement ring!	August Peridot  Throughout history, August's light green birthstone, the peridot,  has been used as a means to connect with nature.   It signifies strength and the promise of new growth. It was believed that the peridot glowed with light even as darkness fell, which is why miners were said to have scouted for these gems during the night, marking their location, and returning in the light of day to retrieve them.  Perhaps this legendary mining  method is the reason that the peridot is sometimes called the "evening emerald."  The force of nature is alive within this gemstone, making it the perfect gift.  With its symbols of vitality and happiness, it is perfect for any recipient.

September Sapphire  The striking deep blue of the sapphire  is reminiscent of a clear night sky.  Sapphires have long been a favourite of priests and kings, who considered them symbolic of wisdom and purity.    Ancient civilisations  believed that the world was set upon an enormous sapphire, which painted the sky blue with its reflection.  This legend, as well as the belief that the ten commandments  were inscribed upon tablets made of sapphire, gives September’s birthstone a royal place among gemstones. The sapphire is second only to the diamond in hardness, making it a durable gemstone for setting into jewellery.   A gift of sapphire represents sincerity and faithfulness, perfect for your sweetheart.	October Opal  October's birthstone, the opal,  treats the eye to a burst of shimmering colours.  It is prized for its ability to refract and reflect wavelengths of light, and was called "cupid paederos" by the Romans,  meaning a child as beautiful as love. The opal is a non-crystallised silica, which is a mineral  found close to the earth's surface where ancient hot springs once existed.  Opals are actually 30% water and must be protected from heat and harsh chemicals, otherwise they can risk losing their iridescence. A quality opal is very expensive, made more so by the caution that must be exercised in cutting, polishing, and setting it into jewellery.  A gift of opal is symbolic of faithfulness and confidence, and the powerful energy radiating from this gemstone  will surely illuminate any occasion!	November Citrine  November's birthstone, citrine,  is a wam in colour and rare to find.  This gemstone  ranges in colour from a pale yellow to a dark orange, and gets its name from the French word for lemon, "citrin." It is believed that some citrine may have actually begun as amethyst,  but heat from nearby molten rock changed it to the yellow form of quartz.   Citrine is known to change colour when subjected to heat and is routinely heated in the jewellery making  process to intensify its colour.  With citrine being the symbol for hope and strength, its sunny colour makes it the perfect gift to brighten anyone's day!	December Blue Topaz  The cool and calming hue of December's birthstone, the blue topaz,  has quite an interesting history.  It is ironically derived from the Sanskrit word, "tapas," meaning fire.  Ancient civilisations  considered this stone to have cooling properties and healing powers.  Blue topaz is the hardest of silicate minerals.  Pure topaz  is colourless, yet changes of elements in the stone result in the creation of different hues.  The blue shade is created when topaz is heated, whether naturally or by man. The gift of topaz is the symbol for love and fidelity.  Luckily, this stone is not known to put out the flames of love!

Related Guides

Engagement and Wedding Jewellery	Gemstones	Milestone Jewellery Gifts	Cleaning your Jewellery

External Links

• About.com:  Birthstone jewellery shopping advice.
• Bernardine.com:  Read more details about birthstone colours and their meanings.
• Gems4Friends.com:  Learn more about birthstones and consult a birthstone chart full of interesting facts.