Written by Bérengère Treussard - Wednesday, February 14, 2024
The tradition of assigning a gemstone to each month of the year dates back to antiquity. These stones, known as birthstones, are often used in jewellery to craft unique and meaningful pieces.
Whether you're looking for a ring, a bracelet, earrings, or any other piece of jewellery as a gift, this comprehensive guide will help you discover the birthstone associated with your birth month, providing insights into its significance and properties.
Indeed, birthstones, beyond their symbolic and spiritual meanings, possess unique physical properties that make them valuable from a gemmological perspective. Each birthstone has its own chemical composition, crystalline structure, and optical characteristics that set them apart from one another.
Garnet is a gemstone that comes in a variety of colours, ranging from deep red to green, as well as shades of orange and pink. Composed of aluminium silicate and iron, garnet is often linked to energy, passion, and creativity. It is also considered a protective stone, used to balance emotions and boost self-confidence. In jewellery, garnet is often used to craft timeless and elegant pieces such as rings, bracelets, and earrings.
Diamonds come in a variety of colours, ranging from yellow to pink, and even blue and green, but coloured diamonds are exceptionally expensive. White diamonds remain the most popular. Diamond rings are a classic and elegant choice for special occasions.
Emerald is a green gemstone highly valued for its vibrant colour and beauty. Composed of aluminium silicate and beryllium, emerald is often linked to growth, fertility, and vitality. It is also considered a healing and protective stone, used to enhance intuition and promote mental clarity.
This gemstone is admired for its vivid green hue and its significance of renewal, love, and luck. In jewellery, emerald is often used to create luxurious and rare pieces, as beautiful emeralds become increasingly rare and expensive. Emerald earrings are also highly popular, adding a touch of glamour to any attire.
In contrast to other birthstones, pearls are of organic origin, produced by molluscs. Often associated with innocence, purity, and love, they are used in a variety of jewellery pieces, including earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Pearl jewellery is timeless and suitable for all occasions, whether formal or casual.
Alexandrite is a rare and precious stone known for its unique colour-changing phenomenon. It shifts in colour depending on the light source, transitioning from emerald green in daylight to ruby red under artificial light. A variety of chrysoberyl, alexandrite is highly coveted by collectors and gem enthusiasts for its rarity and beauty.
Ruby is an extremely precious gemstone highly valued for its intense red colour. A variety of corundum (like sapphire), it is a hard and durable mineral. Rubies are often faceted to enhance their colour and brilliance, making them highly sought after in high-quality jewellery. They are considered a symbol of passion, strength, and power.
Peridot is a gemstone with a vibrant and fresh green hue, primarily composed of iron and magnesium silicate. Valued for its lively green colour, peridot symbolizes growth, prosperity, and happiness. In jewellery, peridot is often used to craft light and vibrant pieces, including earrings and bracelets. Its natural brilliance makes it a popular choice for summer jewellery.
Sapphire is a popular gemstone cherished for its deep and intense blue colour. It belongs to the corundum family, akin to ruby. However, unlike rubies, sapphires can be found in a variety of colours, including pink, yellow, green, and purple. Sapphires are considered protective stones and are often worn as talismans.
Opal is a unique gemstone appreciated for its shimmering and iridescent colours. Composed of hydrated silica, it is often found in shades of white, pink, blue, and green. Regarded as a healing and protective stone, opal is associated with creativity and passion. This gem is admired for its unique beauty and colourful reflections. Opals are frequently used to create distinctive and artistic pieces, such as rings and earrings. Opal is a versatile stone that can add a touch of mystery and magic to your jewellery collection.
Topaz comes in a variety of colours, ranging from pale yellow to deep blue. Composed of aluminium fluoride and fluorosilicate, it is often associated with wisdom, mental clarity, and inner strength. It is also considered a healing stone, bringing calmness and balance. In jewellery, topaz is frequently used to create bright and elegant pieces, such as rings and bracelets. Topaz earrings add a touch of sophistication and charm to any attire.
Tanzanite is a variety of zoisite, with aluminium and calcium silicate as its main components. Renowned for its deep blue-purple colour, unique to this gemstone, tanzanite exhibits perfect cleavage gemmologically, allowing it to split easily along crystalline planes. With a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, it is relatively resistant to scratches. This gemstone is commonly associated with transformation, spirituality, and healing. In jewellery, tanzanite is often used to craft refined and elegant pieces, such as rings and necklaces. Tanzanite earrings add a touch of mystery and sophistication to your look.
Turquoise is a precious stone valued for its distinctive blue-green colour, formed by the presence of copper and aluminium in rock formations. Often used in jewellery creation, turquoise is considered a stone of protection and luck, associated with serenity and peace.
Every birthstone carries its unique meaning and properties. When selecting a piece of jewellery with your birthstone, you can express your individuality and personal connection with your birth month. Whether you opt for a ring, bracelet, earring, or any other accessory, birthstones remain a timeless and meaningful choice to enhance your collection.