Birthstones
January - Garnet
While the most popular color of garnet is a reddish-brown, it is found in a wide variety of other colors such as purple, pink, violet, green, yellow, orange, red, brown, black & even colorless. Used since the Bronze Age, garnets were also popular amongst the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks & Romans.
Meaning & Symbolism - Good health, wealth & happiness
February - Amethyst
The amethyst’s purple tones range from deep, dark violet, to the less coveted pale lavender. The gem’s rich hue has long been associated with royalty and nobility. In ancient history, the amethyst was believed to be a “gem of fire” and was considered to be a precious stone valued as much as a diamond.
Amethyst is also the traditional gift for 6th wedding anniversaries.
Meaning & Symbolism - Sincerity, security, spirituality & contentment
March - Aquamarine
Aquamarine, a gemstone named for the sea, ranges from a nearly colorless whitish-blue to a rich teal. Some believed that the gem would calm waves and keep sailors safe at sea.
Aquamarine is also the traditional gift for 19th wedding anniversaries!
Meaning & Symbolism - Loyalty, honesty & beauty
April - Diamond
Diamonds, perhaps the most popular of all gemstones, are made of pure carbon and are the hardest natural substance on the planet. Most people think of diamonds as colorless but yellow, brown, green, gray, black, pink, blue, red, and purple stones can also be found.
Diamonds are, of course, the popular choice for engagement rings, but they are also the traditional gift for 60th & 75th wedding anniversaries.
Meaning & Symbolism - Inner strength, invincibility, balance, clarity & abundance
May- Emerald
Known for its brilliant green color, emerald can also have blue or yellow undertones and loses all color when subjected to high heat. Emeralds have been coveted for most of history, loved by Cleopatra, the Aztecs and Incas, and the Moguls of India.
Emerald is also the traditional also the traditional gift for 20th & 30th wedding anniversaries
Meaning & Symbolism - Wisdom, faith, and domestic bliss or success in love
June - Pearl
The month of June has three birthstones – Pearl, Alexandrite and Moonstone. However, the pearl is the most popular.
Unlike most other gemstones, pearls are not mined. The most highly valued pearls are created inside of saltwater oysters and freshwater clams whose shells are lined with mother-of-pearl, or nacre.
Meaning & Symbolism - Purity, success & innocence
June - Alexandrite
The month of June has three birthstones – Pearl, Alexandrite and Moonstone.
Alexandrite, the second birthstone for June, is bluish green in color changes to purple-red or violet when exposed to daylight. It was first discovered in Russian emerald mines and named after the then reigning prince of Russia, Alexander II.
Meaning & Symbolism - Intuition, creativity and imagination
June - Moonstone
The month of June has three birthstones – Pearl, Alexandrite and Moonstone.
Moonstone bears its name from its blue color which reflects a silvery play of tones that appear like phases of the moon when light shines on it. It is composed of fine layers of feldspar and albite that make the stone look like it’s textured. Moonstone has long been associated with astral magic and mystery.
Meaning & Symbolism - Passion, calmness & good luck
July - Ruby
Ruby, a pink to deep red precious gemstone, has been one of the most coveted gems since antiquity due to its rarity, rich color & hardness. They are said to attract good luck to the wearer, and Ancient Hindus believed rubies protected one from evil.
Ruby is also the traditional gift for 15th & 40th wedding anniversaries.
Meaning & Symbolism - Love and passion
August - Peridot
Peridot is one of the few gemstones to occur in one color, naturally – olive green. The intensity of the color depends on the amount of iron in the crystal formation. Peridot is often confused with the emerald and is sometimes called “the evening emerald.”
Peridot is also the traditional gift for 16th wedding anniversaries.
Meaning & Symbolism - Strength, truth & loyalty
September - Sapphire
Sapphires come in all colors of the rainbow except red. variety of colors, but are mostly associated with blue hues. Like many other precious gemstones, they've been cherished by royalty for centuries. Ancient Greeks and Romans believed sapphires would protect them from harm and envy, and Clerics of the Middle Ages believed they symbolized heaven.
Sapphire is also the traditional gift for 5th & 45th wedding anniversaries.
Meaning & Symbolism - Truth, serenity & faithfulness
October - Opal
The month of October has two birthstones - Opal and Tourmaline.
Opals are known for their fascinating color shifting. Most are white with iridescence, but they can be black or even transparent with flecks of red or yellow. Throughout history, they've been associated with lightning, fireworks, galaxies & volcanoes.
Opal is also the traditional gift for 14th wedding anniversaries.
Meaning & Symbolism - Hope, purity & truth
October - Tourmaline
The month of October has two birthstones - Opal and Tourmaline.
Tourmaline is a newer October birthstone and comes in a dazzling array of colors, often with multiple colors in just one stone. Because of its vibrancy and wide color range, it was often mistaken for other gemstones.
Tourmaline is also the traditional gift for 8th wedding anniversaries.
Meaning & Symbolism - Courage, strength & confidence
November - Topaz
The month of November has two birthstones - Topaz and Citrine.
Topaz can come in a variety of colors, but the prized "Imperial Topaz", adored by Russian Czars, is orange with pink undertones.
Blue topaz is the traditional gift for 4th wedding anniversaries while Imperial topaz is for 23rd wedding anniversaries.
Meaning & Symbolism - Longevity, good fortune & friendship
November - Citrine
The month of November has two birthstones - Topaz and Citrine.
Citrine, the name of November’s second birthstone stands for “lemon” in French, because its color is close to that of the fruit. Naturally, citrine is pale yellow in color, or orange. However, jewelers use heat-treated stones to make citrine ornaments of richer and deeper tones. In ancient times, it was given to women by sun gods to protect them against evil.
Meaning & Symbolism - Happiness, positive energy & prosperity
December - Turquoise
December has three birthstones - Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon, all collectively known for their dazzling shades of blue.
Turquoise is a green-blue stone often found with veins for matrix running through it. Its importance spans time and space, cherished by Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Chinese artisans, Native Americans, and is the national gemstone of Tibet.
Meaning & Symbolism - Health, good fortune & peace
December - Tanzanite
December has three birthstones - Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon, all collectively known for their dazzling shades of blue.
Tanzanite derives its name from an East African state, Tanzania, where it was discovered in the 1960's and the only place it has been found to date. It's a brilliant stone which can exist in numerous hues of purples and blues. However, the most valuable tanzanite stones come in vivid violet-blue color.
Tanzanite is also the traditional gift for 24th wedding anniversaries.
Meaning & Symbolism - Intuition & spiritual awareness
December - Zircon
December has three birthstones - Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon, all collectively known for their dazzling shades of blue.
Zircon comes in various colors, including blue, orange, green, yellow & red. The most popular is blue, but zircon can also be heat-treated to become colorless and gold. Many people confuse this spectacular gem with synthetic cubic zirconia because of their analogous names and common use as diamond simulants. However, zircon is a natural crystal whose existence on earth dates back over 4.4 billion years.
Meaning & Symbolism - Prosperity, wisdom & self-respect