According to some historians, birthstones date back to the Book of Exodus, connecting the twelve stones in Aaron’s breastplate to the twelve months of the year and the twelve signs of the zodiac. The Gemological Institute of America can trace the custom of wearing the gemstone associated with your birth month to sometime in the 1560s. An official list of birthstones was developed by Jewelers of America in 1912 and has been updated multiple times since then, with some minor differences between the US and UK official lists.
Read on to find out more about the gemstone representing your birth month and what it symbolizes.
The History of Birthstones
january
Garnet
As the birthstone for January, the warm, blood-red garnet stands in contrast to this cold month. Garnet is thought to bring friendship, loyalty and sincerity to the wearer, and the stone is said to have the power to ensure protection during travel. In earlier times, garnets were exchanged as gifts between friends to demonstrate their affection for each other and to ensure that they meet again. Garnets are found all over the world, and significant garnet producing regions include India, Australia and the United States.
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Shop Garnet Jewellery
February
Amethyst
Rich and regal, deep purple amethyst is the birthstone for February. It is said that wearing an amethyst keeps one on an even keel. It is thought to bring peace of mind and drive away angry passions and worries. Amethyst is also believed to bring the wearer peace, love, spiritual fulfillment, courage, and happiness. Amethyst has been mined all over the world, with the largest source to date found in Uruguay.
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Shop Amethyst Jewellery
March
Aquamarine
Icy-blue aquamarine, the traditional birthstone for March, is said to provide a sense of youth and hope, like the new spring that comes each year. Since ancient times, people believed that aquamarine endowed its wearer with foresight, courage, and happiness, as well as increase intelligence. Legends say that sailors wore aquamarine to keep them safe during travel and prevent seasickness. Aquamarine is an abundant gemstone found all over the world from China to Africa to the United States and beyond.
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Shop Aquamarine Jewellery
April
Diamond
Diamond is the traditional birthstone for those born in April. Although usually thought of as the jewel of love and power, the diamond is also believed to strengthen the body and soul of the wearer. It is also thought to protect their innocence and bring out their very best qualities. Natural diamonds mined from the earth are considered extremely rare and valuable. Lab-created diamonds are chemically and optically identical to mined diamonds and are an affordable alternative as well.
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Shop Diamond Jewellery
May
Emerald
The bright green emerald honours those born in the greenest month—May. Its colour is associated with joy. Emerald is thought to be able to sharpen the mind and help the wearer tell the future. They are also believed to enhance love and contentment. Colombia is the world's largest producer of emeralds, providing up to 95% of the total supply in a good year.
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Shop Emerald Jewellery
June
Pearl
Lustrous and lovely, the pearl is the traditional birthstone for June. The elegant pearl is thought to bestow the qualities of modesty and purity upon its wearer. According to early Chinese legends, pearls fell from the sky when dragons fought. Ancient folklore says that pearls were the tears of the gods, and Greeks believed that wearing pearls would promote marital bliss. Pearls are believed to bring the power of love, money, protection, and luck. Since natural pearls are very rare, most pearls sold today are cultured (grown in a controlled environment), with the majority coming from China.
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Shop Cultured Pearl Jewellery
July
Ruby
Rich red ruby is the traditional birthstone for July. A symbol of zeal and passion, it is thought to give its July-born wearer undying vigour, fortune, and love. It is believed to be a powerful protector for those surrounded by unfriendly forces. Historically rubies have been mined in Thailand and have been found in a range of other countries. In the last decade, Mozambique has become the world’s most reliable source of quality rubies.
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Shop Ruby Jewellery
August
Peridot
Fresh, spring-green peridot is the traditional birthstone for August. Thought to bring about friendships, it is believed to help the wearer to steer clear of envy and ward off fear. It is also thought to help the wearer gain divine inspiration and improve one’s speech. Peridot is also believed to bring the wearer good luck, peace, and success, and attract love and calm anger. Found all across the United States, the principal source of peridot today is a mine in Arizona.
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Shop Peridot Jewellery
September
Sapphire
Cool blue sapphire, the traditional birthstone for September, marks the season’s shift from summer to autumn. To those born in this transition month, sapphire is believed to help relax and clear the mind. It is also thought to protect its owner from fraud, envy and bring the wearer spiritual enlightenment and inner peace. They are found and mined all over the world, but sapphires found in certain areas of the world, such as Kashmir, India, are considered especially desirable.
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Shop Sapphire Jewellery
October
Opal
Elegant and iridescent opal is the traditional birthstone for those born in October. It is complex and colourful and is believed to ensure fidelity and confidence, in addition to sharpening the mind and emotions. Legend says that the opal aids inner beauty and faithfulness and can help the wearer recall past lives. Opals are primarily mined in Australia and Ethiopia.
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Shop Opal Jewellery
November
Citrine
Warm and cheerful, the golden-yellow citrine is the traditional birthstone for those born in November. Citrine is believed to make the wearer lighthearted and hopeful. Citrine is thought to promote creativity, help personal clarity and eliminate self-destructive tendencies. It is also referred to as “money stone” thanks to a superstition that it can bring prosperity. Brazil is the world’s leading producer of citrine.
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Shop Citrine Jewellery
December
Blue Topaz
In shades ranging from pale to deep, the breathtaking blue topaz is the stunning birthstone for December. Those born in the last month of the year are thought to gain a pleasant disposition and patient attitude when wearing blue topaz. It is also believed to be a symbol of love and fidelity. Brazil is one of the largest producers of topaz, but it has also been found in the US, some areas of Europe, Australia and Africa.
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Shop Blue Topaz Jewellery