Birthstone Guide
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January February March April May June July August September October November December
JANUARY - GARNET
January's birthstone is the rich dark red gemstone aptly named after the seeds of the luscious fruit pomegranate. It has been said that if a lady dreamt of garnet a mystery of her life would become unravelled.
Historically, some believed that red gemstones such as the garnet had the ability to heal blood related illness such as haemorrhages. Garnet gemstones represent Aquarius signs in the zodiac, who are those born between 21st January and 19th February.
FEBRUARY - AMETHYST
Amethyst is the deep purple gemstone whose colour evokes regal and religious connotations as featured in the Crown Jewels and historical iconic dress. Amethyst gemstones have been thought by some to bring clarity, encourage good business decisions and protect the wearer from evil thoughts.
According to folklore, Greek hosts would use glasses carved from amethyst to disguise their drinks as wine so as to remain sober amongst drunken guests. Amethyst gemstones are symbolic of pisces star signs born between 20th February and 20th March as well as those with February birthdays.
MARCH - AQUAMARINE
Aquamarine, as the name suggests, is named after the lifesource element of water. Literally translated, aquamarine means 'water of the ocean.' It has been said that the ancient Greeks and Romans believed having an aquamarine aboard a ship would protect sailors at sea.
In the calendar of the zodiac, aquamarine represents the ram sign Aries born between 21st March and 20th April. Aquamarine is part of the beryl gemstone family, to which the beautiful green emerald also belongs. Aquamarine has been thought to encourage long, happy marriages.
Browse all aquamarine jewellery
APRIL - DIAMOND
Diamonds are the UK's most popular gemstone, used all manner of jewellery from fine fashion pieces to lifelong engagement rings. Diamonds are the hardest gemstone in the world. The product of carbon pressurised under extreme temperatures, diamonds flaunt a sparkle like no other stone.
The name diamond is derived from the Greek 'adamus' meaning invinsibility so it is easy to see how the stone has become a symbol of strength, unity and eternal bonds. Diamonds represent the zodiac sign of the bull, Taurus. Taurus signs are those born between 21st April and 21st May.
MAY - EMERALD
Emeralds are the luscious green gemstones famed for vibrant colour and unique appearance. Emerald has become a term that names all things natural and fertile, for example the abundant green landscapes of the Emerald Isle. Cancer star signs boast precious emeralds as their symbolic gemstone.
Emeralds, along with diamonds, rubies and sapphires, are one of few gemstones considered precious for its rarity, colour and hardness.
JUNE - PEARL
Pearls are a kind of organic gemstone, grown inside the heart of oysters and mussels. Pearls begin as impurities, hard to believe given the beautiful gemstones that they grow into. Some have believed that pearls bestow clairvoyant powers. Every pearl is unique, with its own story told through its shape, size, colour and imperfections.
Coco Chanel was a fan of pearls and was once quoted as saying "A woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls." Pearls are the symbolic stone for June birthdays and Gemini zodiac star signs.
JULY - RUBY
Red rubies have long been regarded as the romantic gemstone, evoking love and passion in all its forms. The sanskrit name for ruby translates roughly as 'king of gemstones.' Ruby is in the same gemstone family as the sapphire, the corundum.
These gems come in a range of colours but only red corundum stones can be called rubies. Rubies are capricorn's zodiac gemstone. Rubies are only slightly less durable than diamonds, commanding a high price per carat.
AUGUST - PERIDOT
Peridot is the olive green gemstone that is recognised for its age, with peridot jewellery being found that dates back to the ancient Egyptian era. Composed from the mineral olivine, this gemstone is named peridot when it is of gem quality.
Peridot deposits have been found in meteorites Olivine-rich green sand beaches can be found in Hawaii, Norway and in other locations across the globe. Peridot is the beautiful birthstone for August and represents the star sign virgo in the zodiac calendar.
SEPTEMBER - SAPPHIRE
Sapphires can come in many colours from popular blue to black, white, orange and even pink. Kate Middleton and Penelope Cruz are famous fans of this gemstone having blue sapphires feature in their engagement rings.It has been said that some once believed sapphires had the power to guide and forewarn of adversity.
The powers that were believed to be harnessed by this stone were thought to be so strong that they could pass from wearer to wearer. Sapphire is the September birthstone, is associated with the zodiac sign Taurus.
OCTOBER - OPAL
Opal is a beautiful and individual kind of gemstone flaunting spectacular flashes of colour and depth. Shakespeare used the opal as a visual metaphore for indecisiveness in Twelfth Night - "The tailor make thy garment of changeable taffeta, for thy mind is very opal". Represents the zodiac sign Libra.
Arabic folklore has suggested that opals came to the earth in thunderbolts of lightning. Opals can form in many colours in different parts of the world. Australia is known for its fabulous opals as is Ethiopia and Mexico is known for fire opals.
NOVEMBER - TOPAZ
The name topaz is thought to come from the Sanskrit word “tapas” meaning heat. Topaz is also connected to "Topazios" the Greek island where a yellow gemstone now known to be most likely an olivine stone used to be mined. Gemondo offers topaz in a spectrum of colours from clear white topaz and popular blue topaz to multicoloured mystic topaz.
Topaz is the November birthstone and represents sagittarius star signs in the zodiac. It has been said that in ancient times some believed topaz could bestow intense beauty and the power of invisibility on the wearer.
DECEMBER – TANZANITE & TURQUOISE
Turquoise and tanzanite gemstones are symbolic birthstones for the month of December.
Turquoise has been found in jewellery that dates back to the ancient Egyptians, being found in tombs. Turquoise is usually found in warm and dry climate countries such as Turkey, Iran, United States and Central America.
Tanzanite occurs in a beautiful violet and ultramarine colour mix, blending the best parts of blue and purple together. Tanzanite is a fairly recent discovery in the world of gemstones being uncovered and debuted in 1967. Tanzanite is considered a rare and exclusive gemstone with limited deposits, so having one of these gemstones in your collection really is something special.
