Gemstones: Birthstone, Zodiac & Anniversary Guide

Selecting a piece of jewellery as a gift can be made even more personal and special by selecting an item with extra meaning behind it e.g someones birthstone. See below the birthstones for each month and a bit about them including wedding anniversaries and zodiac signs.

January – Garnet 

Garnet is the gemstone for the zodiac sign of Aquarius too, the gemstone occurs naturally in lots of colours including orange, yellow, green, purple, brown, black, pink and colourless but most commonly known for its lovely dark red colour. One of the greatest attributes almost all Garnets share is that their colour is almost always natural. Garnet has long been associated with protection.

February – Amethyst

Amethyst is the most prized variety of Quartz and showcases many beautiful hues of purple. Greeks believed this gemstone enabled the wearer to maintain a balanced mind-set & considered by some to be a symbol of peace of mind and modesty. It is also the stone for the 6th and 17th wedding anniversaries and the zodiac sign Pisces. 

March – Aquamarine

Known as the gem of the sea its name comes from the Latin ‘aqua’ for ‘water’ and ‘marina’ for ‘of the sea’. Aquamarine is a variety of Beryl and like its name has a wonderful Aqua body colour, This gemstone has come to symbolise happiness and everlasting youth and is associated with relaxation and with being soothing and protective.It is also the gemstone for the zodiac sign of Scorpio.

April – Diamond

The most iconic stone in the world is Diamond, it is the toughest gemstone and one of the toughest materials known to man. It is also given on the 10th, 60th and 75th wedding anniversaries. Diamond is associated with invincibility, courage and strength. It is the gemstone of choice for engagement rings along with its hard wearing properties it is also associated with innocence, faithfulness and love. It is the stone for the zodiac sign Aries.   

May – Emerald 

Emerald is one of the most desirable, historical and famous gemstones. Emerald is also the gemstone for the 20th, 35th and 55th wedding anniversary, its unique green colour combined with its subtle inclusions often reffered to as jardin (French word for garden) give each piece its own distinctive fingerprint. It is seen as the gemstone of spring. Emeralds are said to signify hope, new growth and eternal life. It is the gemstone for the zodiac sign Cancer.

June – Pearl

Pearl is one of the most spectacular, most desired and oldest gemstones in the world. Pearl is an organic creation found in the mollusc of a shell in the sea. Coming in all sizes, colours and shapes pearls were a symbol of power and wealth. Now we are able to culture pearls in special oyster nurseries completely natural pearls remain rare. Pearl is also given on the 3rd and 30th wedding anniversaries.

July – Ruby

Ruby is also the stone for the 15th and 40th wedding anniversary, Rubies come from the corundum mineral family which also includes Sapphire, it is Chromium that gives Ruby its distinctive crimson colour.Corundum is very hard wearing so is a great choice for engagement rings along with Diamond. Ruby is one of only 4 precious gemstones aswell as Sapphire, Emerald and Diamond. All other gemstones will be known as semi-precious. Ruby is associated with attributes like beauty and wisdom. The name comes from the latin word ‘ruber’ which means red. It is given for the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries, and is also given to show strength in a relationship. 

August – Peridot

Peridot is known for its beautiful vivid almost lime green colour, they are a fascinating gemstone that forms in lava deep in the earths mantle but can also form in meteorites. Peridot has long been associated with luck and is the gemstone for the 16th wedding anniversary. Known as the gem of the sun it is well suited to the month of august.It is also the gemstone for the zodiac sign Libra.

September – Sapphire

Sapphire is one of the most famous gemstones in the world known for its desired rich blue colours, Sapphire also comes in a variety of colours including violet, green, yellow, orange, pink and purple. Along with Ruby, Diamond and Emerald it is one of only 4 gemstones known as ‘precious’. Sapphire has long been associated with truth, nobility, faithfulness and sincerity. The name comes form the Ancient Greek word ’Sappheiros’ which means ‘precious blue gem’. Sapphire is the blue variety of the mineral corundum and Ruby is the red variety of the same mineral. Corundum is very hard wearing so a great choice for engagement rings along with Diamond. It is the gemstone given on 5th, 45th and 70th wedding anniversaries. It is also linked with the zodiac sign Taurus. 

October – Opal

Opals distinctive rainbow of colours are caused by millions of tiny silica spheres aligned within the gemstone, no other gemstone can match this wonderful mesmerising play-of-colour produced by the opal. Opals have been associated with royalty and good luck for centuries.

November – Citrine

Citrine comes in a variety of lovely yellow/orange hues, this beautiful colour is caused by trace elements of iron. It is also the gemstone for the 13th wedding anniversary. It is the yellow variety of Quartz, and its name comes from the old French word for lemon. Citrines warm colour is said to be a gift from the sun, it is considered soothing, calming and comforting, and is said to spark imagination and encourage fresh beginnings and prosperity. 

December – Tanzanite

Tanzanite has a very unique appeal, this gemstone is trichroic which means it displays three colours as it interacts with the light. From one angle it will appear blue, from another violet and from another it may show a flash of pink tones. Tanzanite is named after its country of origin Tanzania, it was discovered much more recently than most gemstones in 1967 and is a gem quality variety of the mineral Zoisite. It is a very rare gemstone and one of the most precious discovered. It is the gemstone given on the 24th wedding anniversary.