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Birthstone Buying Guide: Meaning, Tips & Gemstone Traits

by uulricaring 16 Jun 2025 0 comments

Discover the story behind each month's gemstone — and how to choose the right one.

 

Birthstones add a personal touch to any jewellery piece, making them a timeless choice for birthdays, anniversaries, or just-because gifts. Each stone is linked to a specific month, believed to hold unique symbolism and energies. Whether you're buying for yourself or someone else, understanding birthstones can help you choose a piece that feels meaningful, thoughtful, and beautiful.

 

Below, we explore the birthstones by month, their meaning, visual traits, and shopping tips.

 

 January – Garnet

Symbolism: Protection, grounding, loyalty

Colour: Deep red (but also found in orange, green, and purple tones)

Gem Traits: Durable, with excellent brilliance in well-cut stones

Buying Tip: Look for richly saturated red garnets — almandine and pyrope types are most common in fine jewellery.

 

February – Amethyst

Symbolism: Calm, clarity, spiritual balance

Colour: Violet to deep purple

Gem Traits: Affordable and striking, with moderate hardness (7 on Mohs scale)

Buying Tip: Choose stones with even colour and minimal zoning (patchiness). Deeper purple tones are typically more valuable.

 

 March – Aquamarine

Symbolism: Peace, communication, courage

Colour: Pale to medium blue, sometimes with a greenish tint

Gem Traits: Belongs to the beryl family (same as emerald); usually very clear

Buying Tip: Look for a vivid sky-blue hue. Avoid overly pale stones unless you prefer a soft, understated look.

 

April – Diamond

Symbolism: Strength, purity, eternal love

Colour: Colourless is traditional, but fancy colours (yellow, blue, pink) are rising in popularity

Gem Traits: The hardest natural substance (10 on Mohs scale); brilliant and timeless

Buying Tip: Consider the 4Cs: cut, colour, clarity, and carat. For birthstone jewellery, even smaller diamonds can add symbolic value.

 

 May – Emerald

Symbolism: Renewal, wisdom, intuition

Colour: Rich green, often with blue undertones

Gem Traits: Luxurious but delicate — natural emeralds often have inclusions (called jardin)

Buying Tip: Expect natural imperfections. Prioritise colour and transparency over flawless clarity.

 

June – Pearl / Moonstone / Alexandrite

Symbolism: Femininity, transformation, inner growth

Pearl: Soft sheen, often creamy white, needs careful care

Moonstone: Shimmering adularescence, milky with a glowing light

Alexandrite: Colour-change gem (green to red) and highly rare

Buying Tip: For classic elegance, choose pearls. For a mystical vibe, try moonstone or alexandrite. Note that alexandrite is rare and expensive.

 

❤️ July – Ruby

Symbolism: Passion, courage, love

Colour: Rich red, sometimes with pinkish undertones

Gem Traits: Second only to diamond in hardness (9 on Mohs); fiery and eye-catching

Buying Tip: Look for a deep, vivid red with minimal visible inclusions. Burmese rubies are the most prized.

 

August – Peridot

Symbolism: Lightness, joy, protection

Colour: Yellow-green, fresh and citrusy

Gem Traits: Often eye-clean, with sparkling clarity; affordable and cheerful

Buying Tip: Medium olive-green stones are more desirable than overly yellow tones. Often sourced from Arizona or Pakistan.

 

September – Sapphire

Symbolism: Wisdom, loyalty, self-expression

Colour: Traditionally royal blue, but also available in peach, yellow, green, and teal

Gem Traits: Very durable (9 on Mohs), versatile, suitable for everyday wear

Buying Tip: Blue sapphires should have strong saturation with a velvety depth. Teal and parti sapphires are unique modern alternatives.

 

October – Opal / Tourmaline

Symbolism: Creativity, uniqueness, open heart

Opal: Iridescent, shifting colours — no two are the same

Tourmaline: Found in many colours, from pink to green to black

Buying Tip: Opals require more care — avoid harsh impact. Tourmalines are more durable and come in stunning candy hues.

 

November – Citrine / Topaz

Symbolism: Positivity, abundance, clarity

Citrine: Yellow to honey orange; warm and inviting

Topaz: Often sky blue or golden; occasionally pink or imperial (orange-pink)

Buying Tip: Citrine is budget-friendly and perfect for everyday wear. Blue topaz is a vibrant, affordable classic.

 

❄️ December – Tanzanite / Zircon / Turquoise

Symbolism: Reflection, serenity, insight

Tanzanite: Vivid violet-blue, only from Tanzania

Zircon: Often confused with diamond; sparkly and underrated

Turquoise: Sky blue or green-blue with unique veining

Buying Tip: Tanzanite is more luxurious; turquoise has a rustic, bohemian charm. Zircon is a hidden gem for brilliance on a budget.

 

 How to Choose the Right Birthstone Jewellery

Match the Mood: Is this for everyday wear or a meaningful keepsake?

 

Think Beyond Birth Month: Some people choose by energy, colour, or symbolism, not just month.

 

Set it Right: Lighter stones (like opal or pearl) suit delicate, protected settings. Harder stones (sapphire, garnet) are ideal for rings.

 

Customise It: Add a birthstone as a subtle accent, centrepiece, or engraving detail.

  Birthstones Make Beautiful, Personal Gifts

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, marking a milestone, or simply saying “I see you,” birthstone jewellery offers a personal connection that few pieces can match.

 

Want to personalise a piece with a birthstone? [Contact us] or [Explore Custom Options].

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