The tradition of birthstones dates back to ancient history and remains popular today, with many choosing to wear their own birthstone or that of a loved one as a meaningful and personal keepsake. Throughout time, these stones have gained symbolic meanings, with their colours often linked to special qualities such as strength, love, healing, or protection.
The official list of modern birthstones was introduced by the National Association of Jewellers in 1912 and is as follows:
January – Garnet
Symbolism: Protection, strength, and vitality
Rich in deep red hues, garnet has been treasured since ancient times as a powerful stone of protection, believed to safeguard travellers on their journeys. Its history dates back as far as 3100 B.C., making it one of the oldest gemstones known to mankind. The name garnet is derived from the Latin word granatus, meaning grain, which alludes to the gem’s pyrope variety resembling pomegranate seeds.
February – Amethyst
Symbolism: Clarity, calm, and wisdom
This regal purple stone is said to promote calmness and inner strength. Once worn by royalty, amethyst symbolises spiritual insight and balance. It is also cherished for its exquisite colouring, which can range from soft pinks to the deepest purples. Its name derives from the Greek word amethystos, meaning “not drunk,” as it was once believed to protect against intoxication. Beyond its beauty, amethyst has also been prized for centuries for its supposed healing properties, thought to soothe stress and promote restful sleep.
March – Aquamarine
Symbolism: Tranquillity, courage, and communication
With its calming hue, it’s no surprise that aquamarine takes its name from the Latin words aqua (water) and marina (the sea). Historically carried by sailors for safe passage against strong currents, this serene gem is now associated with clarity and peacefulness. A variety of the mineral beryl (the same family as emerald), aquamarine ranges in colour from pale sky blue to deep sea blue.
April – Diamond
Symbolism: Purity, love, and strength
As the hardest natural substance on Earth, diamonds have come to symbolise unbreakable love and enduring strength, making them the quintessential choice for engagement rings. Admired for their beauty and resilience for centuries, they were also once believed to possess powerful healing properties. Formed from pure carbon deep within the Earth’s mantle, diamonds are most commonly colourless, though they can also appear in shades of yellow, brown, pink, or blue.
May – Emerald
Symbolism: Growth, renewal, and harmony
Perfectly suited to spring, emeralds are renowned for their vivid green hue and symbolise renewal and harmony. Admired for centuries, they have long been associated with fertility and growth. A member of the beryl family, emeralds range in colour from pale to deep green, with the most intense shades being the most sought after. According to legend, emeralds were a favourite of Cleopatra, who believed in their power and allure.
June – Pearl / Alexandrite / Moonstone
Symbolism: Wisdom, intuition, and serenity
June babies are lucky to have three options. Pearls symbolise elegance and purity, Alexandrite brings luck and transformation, and Moonstone connects to intuition and femininity.
Pearls are unique among gemstones as they form within living creatures rather than the Earth’s crust. They come in a variety of colours including white, black, pink and gold and are prized for their lustrous surface and iridescence.
Alexandrite, is a rare and unique gemstone known for its colour-changing properties. It's name derives from Alexander II, emperor of Russia because it had been discovered on his birthday.
Finally, Moonstone is a mystical gemstone is known for its unique and iridescent sheen, which resembles the glow of the moon leading the romans to believe it was formed from moonbeams.
July – Ruby
Symbolism: Passion, vitality, and courage
Known as the “king of gems,” ruby has been associated with love, power and protection. Its deep red glow makes it a bold and meaningful birthstone. Its name comes from the Latin, ‘rubeus’, meaning red. It is incredibly durable and second only to diamond in terms of hardness. Historically, people believed that rubies protected wearers from harm and brought good fortune, while also symbolising love and passion.
August – Peridot
Symbolism: Positivity, strength, and healing
This bright green gem is believed to bring good health and ward off negativity. Ancient Egyptians called it the “gem of the sun” and believed it harnessed nature’s power, inspired by its vibrant, botanical hue. Known for its vivid green colour, peridot is a variety of olivine minerals formed deep within the Earth’s mantle. Beyond its striking appearance, it has been treasured for centuries as a symbol of healing and positive energy.
September – Sapphire
Symbolism: Truth, loyalty, and wisdom
Often linked to royalty, with one of the most iconic sapphire jewellery pieces being Princess Diana’s engagement ring, sapphire has long symbolised sincerity and trust. Cherished for its rich blue hue and timeless appeal, it remains a favourite in both traditional and modern fine jewellery, often chosen for engagement rings, heirlooms, and elegant statement pieces.
October – Opal / Tourmaline
Symbolism: Creativity, hope, and transformation
Opals are beloved for their mesmerising play of colour, symbolising imagination and freedom. This captivating effect is caused by microscopic silica spheres within the stone’s structure, which refract light to create a stunning rainbow like display.
Tourmaline, meanwhile, is believed to inspire artistic expression and emotional healing. Found in a wide range of beautiful colours including pink, green, blue and yellow, it is a versatile and cherished gemstone.
November – Topaz / Citrine
Symbolism: Joy, abundance, and energy
Topaz and citrine are both linked to warmth and prosperity. Their golden tones evoke sunshine and positive energy.
Citrine, a variety of quartz, ranges in colour from pale yellow to deep honey orange. Known as “the money stone,” it was once believed to attract wealth and success to its wearer.
Topaz, one of the hardest natural gemstones, appears in a range of colours — including yellow, orange, pink, blue, and brown. The most prized variety is imperial topaz, admired for its rich peachy-orange hue. In ancient times, both the Egyptians and Romans linked topaz to their sun gods, believing it possessed protective and energising powers.
December – Turquoise / Tanzanite / Zircon
Symbolism: Luck, peace, and protection
From the ancient charm of turquoise to the rare brilliance of tanzanite, December’s birthstones are as distinctive as they are meaningful, each said to bring calm and clarity.
Turquoise, the traditional stone for December, lends its name to the colour itself and has been cherished for centuries for its protective qualities.
Tanzanite, found almost exclusively in the Mererani Hills of northern Tanzania, is prized for its vivid blue violet colour and extreme rarity.
Completing the trio, zircon is celebrated for its brilliance and fire, long believed to also offer protection and ward off evil spirits.
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