LEARN ABOUT YOUR
BIRTHSTONE COLORS

January - Garnet

Calm, Honor, Protection

The word garnet is derived from two sources, the Middle English word "gernet", which means dark red, and the Latin "granatus", which means seed. This is because the garnet looks similar in color and shape to a pomegranate seed. It traditionally symbolizes protection, faith, and constancy and is said to have a more powerful influence on those born in January who wear them. It was used to keep those wearing it safe during travel and so is traditionally worn by travelers.

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February - Amethyst

Stabilization, Sober Judgment, Peace

At one time reserved only for royalty, the amethyst was once more valuable than diamonds. The word comes from the Greek "amethystos", which means sober. The stone is thought to give the wearer courage and sober judgement, hence the name. It was also believed to prevent intoxication and was used on wine goblets for this reason. The love of the gemstone by royalty is where the expression "royal purple" comes from. The pope also always wears a ring with an amethyst.

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March - Aquamarine

Youth, Friendship, Enhanced Love

The aquamarine is a bright blue-green stone. The name comes from the latin "aqua marina", which means seawater. Sailors used it as protection on their journeys to guarantee a safe voyage. It is also said to help with love and enhance affection. The stone became popular in the United States when a heart-shaped aquamarine was gifted to President Theodore Roosevelt's daughter for her wedding.

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April - Diamond

Success, Love, Happiness

The hardest natural substance on earth, the word diamond is from the Greek "adamas", which means unbreakable. It is because of its hardness that the diamond is the symbol of everlasting love and invincibility. The diamond was also thought to have healing powers and was used to draw out toxins and cure other ailments. The tradition of a diamond being given as a symbol of engagement began when the Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to his fiancée in 1477.

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May - Emerald

Serenity, Success, Goodness

The word emerald is derived from several languages, including the ancient Greek word "smargados", all with the common meaning of "green gem". It is said to have been Cleopatra's favorite gemstone and was also worn by Alexander the Great and Charlemagne. To the ancient Romans, the stone symbolized Venus, the god of love and beauty. The stone is also associated with fertility, nature, and love.

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June - Alexandrite

Luck, Confidence, Compassion

The alexandrite stone was named after the czar of Russia, Alexander II, and was discovered in the Ural Mountains. It is a unique gem in that it can range in appearance from green to red depending on the light source. The stones that best show this dramatic change of colors are the most highly sought after. It is a very rare and expensive gemstone. The alexandrite is said to help balance one's emotions, as well as bring good luck. It is also believed that the changing colors can help notify the wearer of changing health or emotional state.

Shop Alexandrite Jewelry >>

July - Ruby

Good Fortune, Safety, Contentment

The word ruby comes from the Latin word "ruber", meaning red, and can range from pink to blood red. The brightest blood red rubies are the most sought after and valuable stones. Known as the "Lord of Gems" by the Hindus, it was thought to protect against evil. The ruby is also a symbol of love, safety, and peace. The ruby was used as a cure for illness, and a treatment called the "ruby elixir" was used on patients to cure them by placing the elixir on their tongue.

Shop Ruby Jewelry >>

August - Peridot

Kind Temperament, Radiance, Tranquility

The origin of the word peridot is uncertain. However, it is thought to come from the Arabic word "faridat", which means gem. It is one of the only stones that can be found in just one color, variations of green. It was believed to protect its wearer from nightmares, ward off evil, and assure marital happiness. The peridot was believed to be the tears of the goddess Pele, the goddess of volcanoes and fire.

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September - Sapphire

Purity, Wisdom

This beautiful blue gem derives its names from the Greek word "sappheiros", which means blue stone. It is the third hardest mineral on earth. The sapphire was traditionally favored by kings and priests. This is because the stone is symbolic of wisdom and purity. It also symbolized heaven, and those who were not clergy believed it to bestow heavenly blessings. The most highly-valued sapphires are the most medium blue-hued stones. They were also exchanged by husband and wife in ancient times as a popular marriage gift.

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October - Tourmaline

Endurance, Strength, Creativity

The tourmaline is a semi-precicious stone that can be found in a large variety of colors. The word for tourmaline comes from the Sinhalese word "turmali", which meant stones of many colors. It was used by artists to inspire creativity and was also was believed to strengthen the spirit. The tourmaline was believed to be found in so many colors because it passed through a rainbow.

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November - Citrine

Optimism, Self-Confidence, Happiness

The citrine is a yellow to golden variety of quartz. The name comes from the citron fruit, which is a yellow hue. It was traditionally worn for its healing properties and was known as the "healing quartz". The citrine is gifted when one wishes its recipient hope and strength. It is also believed to bring success and good fortune and is known as a joyful stone for its bright and sunny color.

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December - Blue Zircon

Protection, Rest, Spirituality

The word for zircon originally came from the Persian word "zargun", which meant gold-colored. It was eventually used to refer to any light-colored zircon stones. The blue zircon was traditionally believed to help promote sleep, bring prosperity, and bestow wisdom. It is also thought to help with depression and uplift the mood of the wearer. The blue zircon is the most popular color variation for zircon gemstones.

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BIRTHSTONE EDUCATION

Click on a birthstone below to view details.

Jan

Garnet

Feb

Amethyst

Mar

Aquamarine

Apr

Diamond

May

Emerald

Jun

Alexandrite

Jul

Ruby

Aug

Peridot

Sep

Sapphire

Oct

Tourmaline

Nov

Citrine

Dec

Blue Zircon

Garnet

Calm, Honor, Protection

The word garnet is derived from two sources, the Middle English word "gernet", which means dark red, and the Latin "granatus", which means seed. This is because the garnet looks similar in color and shape to a pomegranate seed. It traditionally symbolizes protection, faith, and constancy and is said to have a more powerful influence on those born in January who wear them. It was used to keep those wearing it safe during travel and so is traditionally worn by travelers.

Amethyst

Stabilization, Sober Judgment, Peace

At one time reserved only for royalty, the amethyst was once more valuable than diamonds. The word comes from the Greek "amethystos", which means sober. The stone is thought to give the wearer courage and sober judgement, hence the name. It was also believed to prevent intoxication and was used on wine goblets for this reason. The love of the gemstone by royalty is where the expression "royal purple" comes from. The pope also always wears a ring with an amethyst.

Aquamarine

Youth, Friendship, Enhanced Love

The aquamarine is a bright blue-green stone. The name comes from the latin "aqua marina", which means seawater. Sailors used it as protection on their journeys to guarantee a safe voyage. It is also said to help with love and enhance affection. The stone became popular in the United States when a heart-shaped aquamarine was gifted to President Theodore Roosevelt's daughter for her wedding.

Diamond

Success, Love, Happiness

The hardest natural substance on earth, the word diamond is from the Greek "adamas", which means unbreakable. It is because of its hardness that the diamond is the symbol of everlasting love and invincibility. The diamond was also thought to have healing powers and was used to draw out toxins and cure other ailments. The tradition of a diamond being given as a symbol of engagement began when the Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to his fiancée in 1477.

Emerald

Serenity, Success, Goodness

The word emerald is derived from several languages, including the ancient Greek word "smargados", all with the common meaning of "green gem". It is said to have been Cleopatra's favorite gemstone and was also worn by Alexander the Great and Charlemagne. To the ancient Romans, the stone symbolized Venus, the god of love and beauty. The stone is also associated with fertility, nature, and love.

Alexandrite

Luck, Confidence, Compassion

The alexandrite stone was named after the czar of Russia, Alexander II, and was discovered in the Ural Mountains. It is a unique gem in that it can range in appearance from green to red depending on the light source. The stones that best show this dramatic change of colors are the most highly sought after. It is a very rare and expensive gemstone. The alexandrite is said to help balance one's emotions, as well as bring good luck. It is also believed that the changing colors can help notify the wearer of changing health or emotional state.

Ruby

Good Fortune, Safety, Contentment

The word ruby comes from the Latin word "ruber", meaning red, and can range from pink to blood red. The brightest blood red rubies are the most sought after and valuable stones. Known as the "Lord of Gems" by the Hindus, it was thought to protect against evil. The ruby is also a symbol of love, safety, and peace. The ruby was used as a cure for illness, and a treatment called the "ruby elixir" was used on patients to cure them by placing the elixir on their tongue.

Peridot

Kind Temperament, Radiance, Tranquility

The origin of the word peridot is uncertain. However, it is thought to come from the Arabic word "faridat", which means gem. It is one of the only stones that can be found in just one color, variations of green. It was believed to protect its wearer from nightmares, ward off evil, and assure marital happiness. The peridot was believed to be the tears of the goddess Pele, the goddess of volcanoes and fire.

Sapphire

Purity, Wisdom

This beautiful blue gem derives its names from the Greek word "sappheiros", which means blue stone. It is the third hardest mineral on earth. The sapphire was traditionally favored by kings and priests. This is because the stone is symbolic of wisdom and purity. It also symbolized heaven, and those who were not clergy believed it to bestow heavenly blessings. The most highly-valued sapphires are the most medium blue-hued stones. They were also exchanged by husband and wife in ancient times as a popular marriage gift.

Tourmaline

Endurance, Strength, Creativity

The tourmaline is a semi-precicious stone that can be found in a large variety of colors. The word for tourmaline comes from the Sinhalese word "turmali", which meant stones of many colors. It was used by artists to inspire creativity and was also was believed to strengthen the spirit. The tourmaline was believed to be found in so many colors because it passed through a rainbow.

Citrine

Optimism, Self-Confidence, Happiness

The citrine is a yellow to golden variety of quartz. The name comes from the citron fruit, which is a yellow hue. It was traditionally worn for its healing properties and was known as the "healing quartz". The citrine is gifted when one wishes its recipient hope and strength. It is also believed to bring success and good fortune and is known as a joyful stone for its bright and sunny color.

Blue Zircon

Protection, Rest, Spirituality

The word for zircon originally came from the Persian word "zargun", which meant gold-colored. It was eventually used to refer to any light-colored zircon stones. The blue zircon was traditionally believed to help promote sleep, bring prosperity, and bestow wisdom. It is also thought to help with depression and uplift the mood of the wearer. The blue zircon is the most popular color variation for zircon gemstones.

Shop Garnet Jewelry