Whether you’re looking for an engagement ring or a new set of stud earrings, you can have fun matching your jewelry to your birthstone. Doing so adds unique character and personalization to the jewelry piece, making it even more enjoyable to wear day-to-day.
So, if you want to know what your birthstone is and learn a little bit about its significance, stay tuned. In this guide, we'll explore all of the different birthstones in detail:
Birthstone Definition
Similar to zodiac signs, birthstones are gems that correspond with each month of the year. Each birthstone holds a symbolic meaning, such as luck, protection, healing powers, and more. They’re cherished cultural icons throughout the world, dating back to ancient texts, mythologies, and traditions.
More specifically, modern birthstones mostly derive from the breastplate of Aaron in Hebrew tradition and the twelve gems representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The birthstones used in jewelry today are curated by organizations like the American Gem Society and the National Association of Jewelers, offering a contemporary interpretation of this ancient tradition.
January Birthstone: Garnet
- Color: Deep red
- Hardness Range: 6.5-7.5 Mohs
- Symbolizes: Friendship, devotion, vitality, and balance
Used by the ancient Egyptians as protective talismans, garnets come in many different colors. From fiery oranges to rich burgundies, this gemstone looks stunning when paired with white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold. Try pairing garnets of multiple shades together on a necklace or set of earrings to create unique cluster jewelry.
February Birthstone: Amethyst
- Color: Deep violet
- Hardness Range: 7.5-8 Mohs
- Symbolizes: Royalty and nobility
Worn by royalty throughout history, amethyst was historically believed to protect its wearer from intoxication and bestow clarity of mind. The rich purple hue pairs exceptionally well with sterling silver or platinum. Amethyst is a great choice for earrings and necklaces, creating a stunning contrast when paired with other gemstones.
March Birthstone: Aquamarine
- Color: Serene blue-green
- Hardness Range: 7.5-8 Mohs
- Symbolizes: Honesty, beauty, and loyalty
Often associated with the ocean, aquamarine is a symbol of eternal friendship that was believed to protect sailors and ensure a safe voyage. Aquamarine’s hardiness makes it an excellent choice for rings or any other jewelry that may experience wear and tear, and we recommend pairing it with white gold, platinum, or silver.
April Birthstone: Diamond
- Color: Colorless, but can come in various shades
- Hardness Range: 10 Mohs
- Symbolizes: Purity, strength, and everlasting love
The hardest natural substance known to man, diamonds have been prized throughout history for their beauty and durability. Whether you’re looking for complementary or contrast, they can be paired with almost any metal.
May Birthstone: Emerald
- Color: Vibrant green
- Hardness Range: 7.5-8 Mohs
- Symbolizes: Successful faith, wisdom in love, and domestic bliss
Revered by ancient civilizations, emeralds were believed to possess healing powers and bring luck to their wearers. Today, the rich green hue is exceptionally alluring when set on right yellow gold jewelry. Emeralds are also fairly resistant to scratching, giving them functionality for any jewelry piece.
June Birthstone: Pearl or Alexandrite
- Color: Natural pearls range from pale lilac to dark green, while alexandrite has unique color change properties depending on the lighting
- Hardness Range: 8.5 Mohs (Alexandrite)
- Symbolizes: purity and innocence (Pearl), luck, prosperity, and intellect (Alexandrite)
The traditional June gemstone is the pearl, but seeing as pearls are not actually gemstones, alexandrite can be considered a real stone alternative. Alexandrite looks stunning when paired with diamonds and other gemstones, while pearls look amazing when paired with platinum. Explore the different options and choose whatever June birthstone works for you.
July Birthstone: Ruby
- Color: Deep red
- Hardness Range: 9 Mohs
- Symbolizes: Love, passion, and good fortune
Revered as the "King of Gemstones," rubies have been believed to possess protective powers and bring success in love and life. From deep crimson to vibrant pinkish-reds, this gemstone pairs exquisitely with rose gold and other golds as well. It’s also a very hard stone, making it durable and long-lasting in all forms of jewelry.
August Birthstone: Peridot
- Color: Pale green to yellowish-green
- Hardness Range: 6.5-7 Mohs
- Symbolizes: Strength, healing, and positivity
Believed to ward off evil spirits, peridot was highly valued by ancient civilizations for its protective properties. From pale greens to vibrant yellows, this gemstone looks stunning when paired with yellow gold. It’s best when worn in necklaces and earrings due to its softer nature.
September Birthstone: Sapphire
- Color: Pure blue, but can have pink undertones
- Hardness Range: 9 Mohs
- Symbolizes: Wisdom, loyalty, and faithfulness
Often associated with royalty, blue sapphires were believed to protect their wearers from harm and envy. From deep blues to lighter shades, this stone truly shines when paired with white gold or platinum. It’s also versatile and durable enough for everyday rings, necklaces, earrings, and more.
October Birthstone: Opal
- Color: Displays a spectrum of colors
- Hardness Range: 5.5-6.5 Mohs
- Symbolizes: Hhope, purity, and innocence
Revered by ancient cultures as a symbol of protection and good luck, opals were believed to possess magical powers. The colorful stone pairs well with yellow and white gold, but its soft nature means it should only be used in earrings and necklaces.
November Birthstone: Topaz
- Color: Ranges from golden to blue to reddish-brown
- Hardness Range: 8 Mohs
- Symbolizes: Strength, intelligence and good fortune
Coming from the Greek word ‘Topazos for “Fire”, Topaz was believed to possess healing properties and bring wisdom and courage to its wearer. From warm yellow hues to cool blue topaz, the stone comes in a variety of rare and common hues. Regardless of the color, it pops especially when paired with platinum, white gold, or silver. Topaz is also considerably durable, making it a solid choice for almost any type of jewelry.
December Birthstone: Turquoise
- Color: Sky blue to greenish-blue
- Hardness Range: 5-6 Mohs
- Symbolizes: protection, healing, success, and good fortune
Considered a sacred stone by ancient cultures, turquoise was believed to protect its wearer from harm and bring good fortune. With a vibrant array of blues and greens, this stone shines when paired with yellow or rose gold. Keep in mind that turquoise is a somewhat soft stone, and will hold up best in the form of earrings or necklaces.
Shop Stunning Diamond Jewelry At Edwin Novel
Are you an April baby looking for stunning birthstone jewelry? At Edwin Novel, we pride ourselves on offering high-quality diamond rings, pendants, and earrings. All of our jewelry comes in intricate designs and patterns at an affordable price, allowing you to find something personalized to your taste.
So, if you want to invest in the perfect diamond jewelry, contact us today!