Birthstone Jewellery; Months & Meanings

Do you know why birthstone jewellery is always so popular?  Each month of the year is associated with a beautiful stone or gemstone and there are many different styles, meanings and stories associated with each one.  

A birthstone can be worn to celebrate the month of your own birth, or the birth month of those you love.  Traditional Mother's Rings and Family Rings, bangles and pendants incorporate multiple birthstones in the same piece of jewellery, representing lots of loved ones and ensuring they are always with you.

Birthstones can be faceted (cut and sparkly, the most popular form for jewellery), or smooth and rounded. They can be natural, created or in crystal or cubic zirconia birthstone colours. Oh My Giddy Aunt has all forms of birthstone jewellery, we can custom make something just for you or you can choose from readymade birthstone rings, earrings and pendants.  The most important thing about birthstone jewellery is the story it tells about a person, place or time. 

Faceted Birthstones & Meanings

Faceted or cut birthstones sparkle and shine and the most popular birthstones for each month are listed here, along with the simple meaning of each birthstone.

• January - Garnet (red/brown) - Loyalty
• February - Amethyst (purple) - Sincerity
• March - Aquamarine (light blue) - Courage
• April - Diamond - Purity 
  
• May - Emerald (green) - Happiness 
  
• June - Alexandrite (purple/red) - Health 
  
• July - Ruby (red) - Love 
  
• August - Peridot (green) - Enthusiasm 
  
• September - Sapphire (blue) - Wisdom 
  
• October - Rose Zircon (Pink) - Hope 
  
• November - Topaz or Citrine (yellow) - Friendship 
  
• December - Blue Zircon (blue) - Prosperity

 

History of Birth Stones

Different cultures have attributed special meanings to gemstones for centuries The mystical birthstones of Tibetan origin date back over a thousand years and the Ayurvedic birthstone list from ancient India dates back to 1500 BC. The first written record of gems with meaning possibly comes from the book of Exodus in the Old Testament where the Breastplate of Aaron is described as a ceremonial garment set with twelve gemstones to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Over time, gems with special colours also became associated with the twelve months or signs of the zodiac. During the fifteenth century the custom of wearing birth stones was popular in Poland. Although custom then suggested that the stone for each month was worn by everyone as the powers of the gemstone were heightened during its month.

  

Tiffany & Co Birthstone Poem

In 1870, romantic Tiffany & Co published Gregorian Calendar Poems "of unknown author" detailing birthstones and their meanings in a pamphlet. Most of the stones and meanings listed here are still popular today, although faceted stones are often used in place of bloodstone, pearl, opal or turquoise and some alternative stones have been adopted to be a less expensive substitute for a cut stone.

The February born shall find

Sincerity and peace of mind,

Freedom from passion and from care,

If they, the Amethyst will wear. 

By her who in March was born

No gem save Bloodstone shall be worn

They will ensure her constancy

True friendship and fidelity. 

She who from April dates her years,

Diamonds shall wear, 

Lest bitter tears f

or vain repentance flow.

 

Who first beholds the light of day

In spring's sweet, flower month of May

And wears an Emerald all her life

Shall be a loved and a loving wife. 

 

By her who in June was born

No gem save Pearls shall be worn

They will ensure her constancy

True friendship and fidelity. 

 

The gleaming Ruby should adorn,

All those who in July are born,

For thus they'll be exempt and free,

From lover's doubts and anxiety. 

 

Wear a Peridot or for thee,

No conjugal fidelity,

The August born without this stone, `

Tis said, must live unloved; alone. 

 

A maiden born when autumn leaves

Are rustling in September's breeze,

A Sapphire on her brow should bind;

To bring her joy and peace of mind. 

 

October's child is born for woe,

And life's vicissitudes must know,

But lay an Opal on her breast,

And hope will lull those woes to rest. 

 

Who first comes to this world below

In dreary November's fog and snow,

Should prize the Topaz amber hue,

Emblem of friends and lovers true. 

 

If cold December gave you birth

The month of snow and ice and mirth

Place on your hand a Turquoise blue;

Success will bless whate'er you do. 

 

The Modern Birthstone List

• Monday: Pearl 
• Tuesday: Garnet or Ruby 
• Wednesday: Cymophane (Cat's-eye Chrysoberyl) or Amethyst 
• Thursday: Emerald or Sapphire 
• Friday: Topaz or Carnelian 
• Saturday: Sapphire or Turquoise 
• Sunday: Ruby or Topaz 

Over the years, many different lists of birthstones and meanings have been developed in many cultures, and today many of these birthstone lists are still in existence. Whichever stone appeals to you, the idea that birthstones have special significance still captures the imagination of those gifted with a touch of romance.

 
All Birthstones: Modern, Traditional, Zodiac and Ancient

January

Modern: garnet 

Traditional: garnet 

Zodiac gemstone for Capricorn: ruby

Ancient birthstones: Hebrew: garnet, Roman: garnet, Arabic: garnet, Hindu: serpent-stone, Polish: garnet 

February

Modern: amethyst 

Traditional: amethyst 

Zodiac gemstone for Aquarius: garnet 

Ancient traditional birthstones: Hebrew: amethyst, Roman: amethyst, Arabic: amethyst, Hindu: chandrakankta, Polish: amethyst 

March

Modern: aquamarine

Traditional: bloodstone, jasper

Zodiac gemstone for Pisces: amethyst

Ancient traditional birthstones: Hebrew: bloodstone, Roman: bloodstone, Arabic: bloodstone, Hindu: gold-sivalinga, Polish: bloodstone

April 

Modern: diamond, cubic zirconia 

Traditional: diamond, sapphire 

Zodiac gemstone for Aries: bloodstone 

Ancient traditional birthstones: Hebrew: sapphire, Roman: sapphire, Arabic: sapphire, Hindu: diamond, Polish: diamond 

May 

Modern: emerald 

Traditional: emerald, agate 

Zodiac gemstone for Taurus: sapphire 

Ancient traditional birthstones: Hebrew: agate, Roman: agate, Arabic: emerald, Hindu: emerald Polish: emerald 

June 

Modern: moonstone, pearl, alexandrite 

Traditional: alexandrite, emerald 

Zodiac gemstone for Gemini: agate

Ancient traditional birthstones: Hebrew: emerald, Roman: emerald, Arabic: agate, Hindu: pearl, Polish: agate 

July 

Modern: ruby

Traditional: ruby, onyx

Zodiac gemstone for Cancer: emerald

Ancient traditional birthstones: Hebrew: onyx, Roman: onyx, Arabic: carnelian, Hindu: sapphire Polish: ruby, Russian: ruby 

August 

Modern: peridot 

Traditional: sardonyx, carnelian 

Zodiac gemstone for Leo: onyx 

Ancient traditional birthstones: Hebrew: carnelian, Roman: carnelian, Arabic: sardonyx, Hindu: ruby, Polish: sardonyx 

September 

Modern: sapphire 

Traditional: sapphire, peridot 

Zodiac gemstone for Virgo: carnelian 

Ancient traditional birthstones: Hebrew: peridot, Roman: peridot, Arabic: peridot, Hindu: zircon, Polish: peridot 

October 

Modern: opal, tourmaline, pink zircon 

Traditional: tourmaline, aquamarine 

Zodiac gemstone for Libra: peridot 

Ancient traditional birthstones: Hebrew: aquamarine, Roman: aquamarine, Arabic: aquamarine Hindu: coral, Polish: aquamarine 

November 

Modern: topaz, citrine 

Traditional: citrine, topaz 

Zodiac gemstone for Scorpio: beryl 

Ancient traditional birthstones: Hebrew: topaz, Roman: topaz, Arabic: topaz, Hindu: cats-eye Polish: topaz 

December 

Modern: turquoise, blue topaz, tanzanite 

Traditional: zircon, ruby 

Zodiac gemstone for Sagittarius: topaz 

Ancient traditional birthstones: Hebrew: ruby, Roman: ruby, Arabic: ruby, Hindu: topaz, Polish: turquoise