Birthstones: Learn the colors and meaning by month
Birthstone jewellery is a perfect way to celebrate a birthday or special occasion, making it a thoughtful gift for a loved one or friend. Best of all, every birthstone has unique metaphysical & spiritual properties, adding a deeper purpose to each stone! Not sure which gem matches up to which month or what each stone actually represents?
Below you’ll find a description of each gemstone and its metaphysical & spiritual meaning. Keep in mind that some months have multiple birthstones and each birthstone often has multiple meanings and the meanings are somewhat open to interpretation. I have also included a chart helpfully provided by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) which includes cleaning and care for each gemstone along with some interesting history and lore.
JANUARY - Birthstone: Garnet
Colour: Dark Red
Meaning: Consistency & Loyalty. It provides a protective and calming influence, boosting the courage and self-confidence necessary to achieve great things. It is also a symbol of friendship that brings health, wealth and success to the wearer.
FEBRUARY - Birthstone: Amethyst
Colour: Purple
Meaning: Sincerity and Peace. Amethyst is said to be able to still the mind and create a sense of mental peace and tranquility where creative thinking thrives. Often used for focus and imagination, amethyst grows the spark of new ideas into flames of passion to bringing them to life.
MARCH - Birthstone: Aquamarine
Colour: Light Blue
Meaning: Courage, Health and Communication. Aquamarine is said to inspire calm, rational flow of communication. It's soothing energy fosters truthfulness and reason, encouraging harmonious interactions. Aquamarine evokes the purity of crystal blue waters, and the relaxation and feeling of calm that the sea brings. It is also seen as a stone of courage and helps people overcome any anxieties associated with communication, such as a fear of public speaking or the fear of opening up to others in meaningful conversation.
APRIL - Birthstone: Diamond
Colour: White/Clear
Meaning: Innocence, Faithfulness, Love. The Diamond, in its rarity and beauty, is a symbol of purity, innocence, love and fidelity, and embraces strength of character and faithfulness to oneself and others. It is also said to encourage all aspects of truth and trust. No wonder it is commonly used for engagement and wedding rings!
MAY - Birthstone: Emerald
Colour: Green
Meaning: Happiness, Fertility, Vitality. With Emerald's stunning green color, it is thought to represent vitality, new beginnings and the spring season. For this reason, it's the perfect gemstone to represent happy new beginnings, fertility, love and an eternal relationship. Emerald can also represent a faithful relationship and strong natural connection with a partner.
JUNE - Birthstone: Pearl & Alexandrite
Colour: Alexandrite - Light Purple / Pearl - white
Meaning:
Alexandrite: Balance & Joy. Alexandrite encourages romance. It is also said that through the stone, joy enters the lives of people with too much self-discipline. This stone is said to remind us of our purpose in life and our origin. It gives hope to those who are in despair, and it brings strength, reminding you of the light. With its changing color, it is a reminder that life is not just what it seems to be from one angle.
Pearl: Resilience. Pearls calm and soothe negative emotions, bringing positive and uplifting feelings to the forefront. The pearl is a beacon of light during difficult times, illuminating the true self to rise above misfortunes. They are also known to be an introspective gem, encouraging us to really discover our true selves and our true purpose.
JULY - Birthstone: Ruby
Colour: Red
Meaning: Nobility, Passion & Beauty. Ruby is the perfect symbol for powerful feelings. It is said to promote positive dreams and clear visualization and aid in retaining wealth. This birthstone is said to bring good luck and protection, and its fiery color complements the outgoing and passionate personalities of those born in this month. Moreover, it represents beauty, power, protection, passion, love and prosperity.
AUGUST - Birthstone: Peridot
Colour: Light Green
Meaning: Harmony, Radiance & Protection. Peridot, the bright green color of nature, is associated with harmony, good health, restful sleep, and peacefulness. Also known as the stone of compassion, peridot is thought to calm anger by giving renewal to all things. When set in gold, this gem was said to protect the wearer from nightmares. Associated with the sun, Peridot drives away darkness – both from outside forces and within. Peridot brings inner radiance, helping the wearer recognize their own destiny.
SEPTEMBER - Birthstone: Sapphire
Colour: Dark Blue
Meaning: Wisdom, Intuition & Calmness. Sapphire’s radiant energy heightens spiritual power, enhancing self-discipline and intuition, augmenting subconscious action towards goals and desires. It is a stone that calms and focuses the mind, allowing instinct to take the lead. It is also said to help with focus and concentration.
OCTOBER - Birthstone: Tourmaline & opal
Colour: Tourmaline - Pink / Opal - Iridescent White
Meaning:
Tourmaline: Balance & Self Love. Tourmaline comes in many colours, but for October birthstone, it's the color pink that is at the forefront. Pink Tourmaline clears away old destructive patterns, building new pathways towards self-love and acceptance. This stone releases negative emotions such as stress, self-doubt, anxiety, and guilt. It is also said to promote better listening and understanding. It is believed to carry the virtue of love that is unconditional, as well as everlasting friendship.
Opal: Amplification, Hope, & Purity. Opal amplifies traits, whether those traits are good or bad, and brings characteristics to the surface for transformation. It is said to enhance self worth, confidence and self-esteem, and help you to understand your full potential. It is also supposed to bring lightness and spontaneity to the wearer. The opal is also said to be a representative of justice and harmony, and is a protective stone in dangerous places.
NOVEMBER - Birthstone: Citrine
Colour: Yellow
Meaning: Prosperity, Joy, & Energy. Citrine is known as the sunshine stone for it's bright yellow coloring and its focus on energy and joy. The essence of this stone is said to hold the power of positivity, is a burst of bright energy, and is said to bring warm light to frayed nerves. Citrine is like a summer holiday for your soul, dispelling maudlin moods and bringing good vibes and grace to the wearer.
DECEMBER - Birthstone: Blue Topaz
Colour: Greenish-Blue
Meaning: Empathy, Wisdom & Communication. Topaz is considered a mellow, empathic stone that soothes, heals, re-charges and re-centers its wearers. Often associated with compassion and communication, it is a preferred stone to wear for "building bridges" between people. In particular, Blue Topaz is believed to promote truth and forgiveness, relaxing the spirit as well as the body. Those who meditate often claim that it as a splendid stone for helping one attune to their higher self.
