Our most-loved and often-used gemstones, along with the birth month they represent.


January: Garnet

Awareness, commitment, regeneration, order, insight.
The name “garnet” comes from the Latin word “Garanatus,” meaning “seedlike,” in reference to the bright red seeds of the pomegranate. In Greek mythology, a pomegranate is seen as a gift of eternal love. Since Hades had given a pomegranate to Persephone before she left him to ensure her speedy return, garnet may be given to a beloved before embarking on a trip. It is also believed to heal the broken bonds of lovers. However, the powers of a garnet lie dormant until it is polished. While traditionally a deep burgundy, Garnets can also be pink-red (Rhodolite Garnet), orange-red (Spessaritite Garnet) and spring green (Tsavorite Garnet) in addition to others.


 

February: Amethyst

Contentment, spirituality, dreams, healing, peace, happiness, love, intuition.
Amethyst is said to promote the highest, purest aspirations of human kind. The stone encourages calm, bravery, and contemplation. Historically, the stone was believed to assist prophecy and visions and to bring riches and powers to its owners. At the highest level, amethyst bestows the spiritual understanding required to reach the state of bliss. Amethyst is part of the quartz family, like Citrine, and can sometimes even occur in conjunction with Citrine in a single gem, referred to as “Ametrine.”


 

March: Aquamarine

Courage, purification, peace, intuition, self-expression, balance, preparedness.
Since early times, aquamarine has been believed to endow the wearer with foresight, courage, and happiness. It is said to increase intelligence and promote youthfulness. The Romans believed that aquamarine absorbs the atmosphere of young love and in medieval times, the stone was thought to reawaken the love of long married couples. Aquamarine is part of the beryl family, along with Emeralds and Morganite.


 

April: Diamond

Courage, strength, healing, protection, spirituality, mental abilities.
The Romans believed diamonds gave the wearer strength, invincibility, bravery, and courage during battle. Considered in olden times as ‘tears of the Gods’ or ‘splinters from falling stars’ and the idea that Cupid’s arrows were tipped with them may be why diamonds are considered the ultimate symbol of love today. Diamonds are considered the first choice for bridal jewelry because they’re the hardest known substance on earth! Diamonds will continue to sparkle after generations of wear. Cognac- and champagne-colored Diamonds are a gorgeous alternative to the traditional white Diamond.


 

May: Emerald

Love, domestic bliss, sensitivity, loyalty, harmony, focus.
Prized by Cleopatra above all gems and representing spring, new birth and fertility, folklore suggests that these stones will improve memory and intelligence, while enhancing clairvoyance. They are also worn to boost love and contentment. The Egyptians buried emeralds with their Pharos because they believed they had the power of eternal youth. A gift of emeralds represents love and fidelity. Their distinctive deep green color is produced only under extremely rare conditions and because these conditions also result in tiny cracks and cavities in the stone, even the highest-qualities emeralds tend to have inclusions.


 

June: Moonstone

Reflection, beginnings, insight, tenderness, harmony.

A bringer of good fortune and a passion enhancer, moonstones are said to protect women and children and balance the yin and the yang. Legend has it that holding a moonstone in your mouth during a full moon would allow you to see into the future. Moonstone’s healing properties are said to promote digestion, and calm emotions, among many other physical and mental health-giving attributes. Moonstone is part of the feldspar family, like Labradorite.


 

June: Pearl

Integrity, focus, wisdom, spirituality, sincerity, fertility.

Arabian legend describes pearls as drops of the moon that the oyster has fallen in love with. They are symbols of purity, faith, charity and innocence and they are said to promote wisdom and contentment into old age. Pearls have a tendency to heighten the emotions, thus making them easier to appreciate or change. They are also said to enhance personal integrity and help clear the mind so that it can be a clear channel for wisdom and spiritual guidance.


 

July: Ruby

Nurturing, spiritual wisdom, passion, protection from distress.
Representative of devotion, desire and passion, Ruby promotes good luck in love and encourages sensitivity in relationships. It is said to be an antidote to poison, and was a stone of prophecy, darkening when danger was near. When rubbed on the skin a ruby is thought to restore youth and vitality. Rubies and Sapphires are both made up of the same material, corundum, but the name “Ruby” describes a particular shade of red.


 

August: Peridot

Warmth, friendliness, understanding, openness in love and relationships.
Peridot is considered a tonic for the whole being warding off many physical ailments. It is also considered a ‘feel good’ stone that nourishes the ego, promoting good mental health. The stone enhances confidence and assertion without aggression. It helps a person see their own light and recognize that they are deserving of love. Ancient Egyptians used peridot to clean and heal the heart. Peridot is one of few gemstones that occurs in only a single color; in this case, green.


 

August: Spinel

Spiritual development, creativity, cleansing, love, kindness.
The name “Spinel” comes from the Latin “spina”, or arrow. Because Spinel can pass for Ruby, many collections of Crown Jewels once mistakenly referred to Spinels as Rubies. Spinel is a gem whose mystical properties are said to aide in love, helping its owner in finding adoring and devoted relationships. Spinel also enhances positive traits and helps the wearer achieve success. It’s most commonly mined in Africa and Asia and also occurs in Canada.


 

September: Sapphire

Joy, peace, beauty, intuition, prosperity, fulfillment of dreams.
The deepest blue sapphires led to the belief that the world sat on a giant sapphire and the color of the sky was merely a reflection of this gem. Sapphire was used to protect against envy and mental illness, and was said to strengthen eyesight. Given as a gift, sapphire represents sincerity and faithfulness, loyalty and friendship. Sapphires are another good choice for bridal wear, as they’re almost as durable as Diamonds, and not only that, they occur in nearly every color of the rainbow.


 

October: Opal

Introspection, beginnings, insight, peace, travel.
Asian cultures believe opals to be a gem of hope. Australian Aborigines believe their ancestors left behind opals as a sign of their enduring presence. They also believe that fire sprang forth from opals. Given as a gift, opal is said to mean faithfulness and confidence. Opals are said to stimulate psychic abilities and inspire creativity, inspiration and imagination. Traditional opals have a base white color, though blue and black Boulder Opals (which are more durable) are gaining notoriety and becoming more valuable.


 

October: Tourmaline

Energizing, soul-searching, releasing.
Tourmaline symbolizes love, friendship and wealth. It is used to calm nerves and induce rest and tranquility. The name Tourmaline comes from the Singhalese (Sri Lanka) word tura mali which translates as the stone of mixed colors. Ancient legend says that tourmaline is found in all colors having gathered them as it traveled along a rainbow’s arc. It is believed to strengthen the body and spirit and inspire creativity. Artists and writers used it extensively as a talisman. Tourmaline most commonly occurs in varying shades of green and pink (and often together in a single gem, called “Watermelon Tourmaline”) and also blue and black, though other colors do sometimes occur.


 

November: Topaz

True love, understanding of interrelationships, expression of ideas, trust, personal expansion and growth.
Topaz is a symbol of love and affection. The stone has also been thought to bring fidelity and friendship if constantly worn without being set aside. The Egyptians said that the golden glow of the sun gave topaz its color. Legend also has it that topaz dispels all enchantment, sharpens the wit and has been said to be an aid to ones sweetness and disposition. Topaz is most often a sky blue, but also occurs in a beautiful golden hue called “Imperial Topaz.”


 

November: Citrine

Intuition, comfort, protection, creativity, physical energy, wealth, mental awakening.
Citrine is believed to promote creativity, help personal clarity and eliminate self-destructive tendencies. It is believed to balance the yin and yang energies, boost self-esteem, and quell anxiety. These stones are believed to help people in handling negative attitudes in a better way and also deal with pressure while dealing with finances, decision making and problem solving. While traditionally a golden orange, Citrine can also be a deep, warm red.


 

December: Tanzanite

Communication, intuition, protection, symmetry, decision-making, spirituality.

African folklore tells us that tanzanite helps to relax and slow down intense individuals, allowing them to lead less stressful, more productive, healthier lives. This keeps them more organized and sensitive to others around them. Tanzanite acts as an elixir to the soul elevating one’s mood and freeing one from negative habits. Possessing a tanzanite is said to bring luck and fortune to its bearer. Tanzanite is one of few fine gemstones with only a single known origin: in this case, Tanzania.


 

December: Turquoise

Spiritual attunement, cleansing, healing, protection, valor, soothing, peace of mind, guidance through the unknown, romantic spontaneity.
Turquoise promotes mental and spiritual clarity, enhanced wisdom, trust, kindness and understanding. In the East, turquoise was said to ward off all evil things. It is believed to help relax the mind and relieve mental tensions, calming the emotions and easing stress. This stone occurs in many shades of green and blue. Turquoise is found in only a few places on earth: dry and barren regions where acidic, copper-rich groundwater seeps downward and reacts with minerals that contain phosphorus and aluminum.