Birthstones — The Complete Guide

The History of Birthstones

The idea of associating gemstones with specific periods of time is an ancient one. Very ancient. The Book of Exodus describes the breastplate of the high priest Aaron, set with twelve gemstones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. In the 1st century A.D., the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus was the first to link these twelve stones to the twelve signs of the zodiac. In the 5th century, the Church Father Jerome further refined this idea: whoever wears one of these stones should receive the power of the corresponding month.

In the Middle Ages, it was customary to own the entire collection—and to wear the appropriate stone depending on the month. It wasn’t until the 18th century that this tradition changed: People began wearing only their birthstone for the rest of their lives. The final standardization came in 1912 through the American National Association of Jewelers (now Jewelers of America). Their list of twelve stones—garnet for January, amethyst for February, and so on—is the one we know today.

This tradition has endured over the centuries for three reasons: It’s personal without being overwhelming. It combines jewellery with symbolism without being cheesy. And it works well for gifts—for mothers, sisters, partners, and children—because everyone has a birth month, and every month has its own colour.

An Overview of the 12 Stones

Before we dive into the individual stones, here’s a quick overview. In the table, you’ll find each month listed along with its stone, traditional symbolism, and dominant colour. Click on a stone to jump directly to its section.

Month	Stone	Symbolism	Colour
January	Garnet	Loyalty, Trust	Deep red
February	Amethyst	Clarity, Protection	Lavender-Violet
March	Aquamarine	Courage, Calmness	Light Blue
April	White Sapphire	Purity, Truth	Sure
May	Emerald	Love, Growth	Rich green
June	Moonstone	Intuition, Femininity	Shimmering
July	Ruby	Passion, Energy	Carmine Red
August	Peridot	Healing, Strength	Light green
September	Blue Sapphire	Wisdom, Loyalty	Deep Blue
October	Pink Tourmaline	Compassion, Joy	Pink Rosé
November	Citrine	Optimism, Warmth	Golden yellow
December	Tanzanite	Spirituality, Change	Violet-Blue

Here's a side-by-side comparison of all twelve stones—all photographed as the Muse Lumière Trilogy Ring so you can compare them in the same setup:

January — Garnet

Garnet is the stone of deep connection. Its name comes from the Latin *granatus* —meaning “grained”—and refers to the deep red colour of pomegranate seeds. The ancient Egyptians wore garnet jewellery as a symbol of life and death. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that garnet protected travelers and guided them in the darkness. Those born in January wear a stone that traditionally symbolizes loyalty, steadfastness, and the preservation of important relationships—fitting for a month that marks the beginning of a new year.

February — Amethyst

Amethyst is the elegant shade of purple—ranging from delicate lilac to a deep plum tone. The name comes from the Greek word *amethystos*, meaning “not drunk.” The Greeks believed the stone protected against excessive wine consumption and mental confusion. In the British royal family, amethyst was long the stone of the coronation robes. Today, it symbolizes clarity, protection, and calm self-reflection. Those born in February wear a stone traditionally associated with inner strength and mental balance—a rare combination.

March — Aquamarine

Aquamarine carries the sea within it. “Aqua marina” —water of the sea—is what the Romans called it, and they believed the stone brought sailors good luck and a safe return home. Its light, clear blue does indeed recall the colour of shallow bays. Aquamarine symbolizes courage, calm clarity, and the ability to keep a cool head in stormy times. Those born in March, at the transition from winter to spring, wear a stone that reflects precisely this energy of transition—hope, quiet strength, and a fresh breath of life.

April — White Sapphire

Traditionally, the gemstone for April is the diamond. At Velur, we carry the white sapphire instead—a chemically different stone that is virtually indistinguishable to the eye, yet offers clear advantages in terms of ethics and price. The sapphire belongs to the corundum family; it is the second-hardest gemstone after the diamond and has a clear, cool sparkle. Symbolically, it represents purity, truth, and unclouded clarity. Those born in April thus receive a stone that embodies the timeless elegance of a diamond without the problematic background of the diamond trade.

May — Emerald

Emerald is the stone of love—and Cleopatra’s favorite stone. She had entire mines worked to extract emeralds for her jewellery. Its deep green colour traditionally symbolizes growth, new life, and the blossoming of a relationship. Being born in the spring—the month when everything bursts into bloom—is a perfect symbolic match for this stone. Emeralds are slightly softer than other gemstones and require a little care—which makes them seem even more special and intimate.

June — Moonstone

Moonstone is the most mystical of the birthstones. It has no distinct colour—its sheen shifts with the light, ranging from white-bluish to silvery, and sometimes with a delicate golden hue. Hindus believe the stone was formed from captured moonlight. The Romans associated it with Diana, the goddess of the moon. Symbolically, moonstone represents intuition, femininity, and quiet inner knowledge—qualities that cannot be forced but can only be allowed to unfold. Those born in June wear a stone that, like no other, celebrates change and depth.

July — Ruby

The ruby is a garnet elevated to royal status. Both are red, but while garnet has an earthy quality, the ruby is velvety, intense, and almost luminous. In Sanskrit, it is called ratnaraj —king of gemstones. Burmese warriors wore rubies under their skin because they believed the stone made them invulnerable. The ruby symbolizes passion, vitality, and uncompromising devotion. Those born in July, in the midst of midsummer, wear a stone that reflects the warmth and intensity of this month—visible, powerful, and impossible to overlook.

August — Peridot

Peridot is one of the few gemstones that occurs in only a single colour—a clear, fresh light green that is rarely found in any other stone. The ancient Egyptians called it the “gemstone of the sun” and mined it on the volcanic island of Zabargad in the Red Sea. Some peridot crystals have even been found in meteorites—meaning they actually came from space. Symbolically, it represents healing, strength, and letting go of old burdens. It’s a fitting stone for late summer, a time when many things come to a close and fall into a new order.

September — Blue Sapphire

The blue sapphire is regal. Princess Diana wore one; today, Kate Middleton wears the same ring. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that the stone protected against envy and poisonous words. Its deep, rich blue is one of the most famous colours in the world of gemstones. Symbolically, the sapphire represents wisdom, loyalty, and true love. Those born in September, as summer gives way to fall, wear a stone that radiates a special dignity—without needing to make a big show of it.

October — Pink Tourmaline

Tourmaline comes in more colours than any other gemstone—from black to green to pink. The pink variety, sometimes called rubellite, is the birthstone for October. Its name comes from the Sinhalese word “turmali, ” which means “stone of mixed colours.” Pink tourmaline symbolizes compassion, joy, and an open heart. It’s a beautiful symbolism for a month when autumn bursts into colour and much of the world takes on warm hues.

November — Citrine

Citrine is the sunny variety of quartz—ranging from a delicate honey-yellow to a rich golden-orange. The name comes from the French word “citron,” meaning lemon. The Romans wore citrine as protection against evil thoughts; in the 17th century, it was particularly popular among Scottish goldsmiths for decorating daggers. Symbolically, the stone embodies warmth, optimism, and creative energy. In a month when the days are growing shorter and light is in short supply, citrine is like a little reservoir of sunshine on your finger—subtle, yet unmistakable.

December — Tanzanite

Tanzanite is the newest of the birthstones. It was discovered in Tanzania in 1967—the only known source worldwide, hence its name. Tiffany & Co. introduced it to the market and named it after the only country that produces it. Its play of colour is fascinating: depending on the angle of the light, it shifts between deep blue and violet. Tanzanite is considered a stone of spiritual renewal and conscious transformation. It is a fitting symbol for those born in December at the end of the year—when the old comes to a close and the new begins.

Birthstone Jewellery at Velur

At Velur, you’ll find each of the twelve stones as a handcrafted 14k gold ring. There are four designs to choose from, each available in twelve stone variations—you choose the ring first, then the stone. All stones are lab-grown, making them ethically sound, consistent in colour, and fairly priced. Here are the four designs:

If you’d rather not buy the birthstone as a standalone ring but would like to incorporate it into an engagement ring, read our post on the hidden birthstone in an engagement ring —there, we explain how a hidden stone works in an engagement ring and when it makes sense.

Five Occasions for Birthstone Jewellery

Birthstone jewellery isn't just for your own birthday. Here are five occasions when it's a great choice:

1. Mother's Day

The mother’s birthstone, worn by her daughter—or the mother’s own birthstone, worn by her child. Both options work. Mothers with multiple children love rings or pendants that combine the birthstones of all their children. With the Velur Eternity bands, up to five stones can be set in a row.

2. Birth of a Child

The child’s birthstone, worn by the mother—as a visible symbol of a new bond. It may seem simple and unspectacular, but emotionally, it’s one of the most powerful jewellery gifts of all. Fathers who want to give the new mother something personal without falling into clichés will find a solution here that’s anything but generic.

3. First Date or Getting-to-Know-You Month

Did you meet in May? Emerald. In September? Sapphire. The stone becomes an unspoken reminder of the moment when it all began. She won’t understand it right away—and when you explain the story behind it as you give it to her, you’ll create a moment she’ll remember for a long time.

4. A Gift to Yourself to Celebrate a Milestone

A degree, a new job, an important birthday. Birthstone jewellery as a gift to yourself has a special quality: it’s personal, without carrying any external significance. You wear a reminder of a moment when you achieved something—visible only to you.

5. Hidden Message in the Engagement Ring

The most intimate option: a tiny birthstone, hidden in the engagement ring where no one but her can see it. The stone represents her birth month, the month you got engaged, or her mother’s birth month. We’ve written a separate post about this.

Lab-Grown vs. Natural Stone — Velur's Position

At Velur, all birthstones are lab-grown. This is a deliberate decision, and there are three reasons for it.

Ethics. The gemstone trade is historically a problematic business. Not all mines are problematic, but enough of them are that it is rarely possible to trace the origin of a natural gemstone with certainty. Lab-grown gemstones are produced through controlled laboratory processes, without mining and without questionable supply chains.

Quality. Conditions can be precisely controlled in the lab. The result: stones without inclusions, with perfect colour saturation, and in the exact size needed for a ring. With natural gemstones—especially smaller ones—such levels of clarity are expensive and rare.

Price. Lab-grown stones cost a fraction of what their natural counterparts do. This is what makes birthstone jewellery affordable in the first place for people who don’t want to spend €2,000 on a small natural gemstone—which, to be honest, is most people.

Chemically and physically, lab-grown and natural gemstones are identical. The only differences lie in their origin and price. When you buy a Velur birthstone ring, you get a genuine gemstone—but without the ethical and financial baggage of the traditional gemstone industry.

Which birthstone is right for whom?

If you'd like to give birthstone jewellery as a gift but aren't sure which stone is right, here are four profiles to help guide you.

She loves simple, minimalist designs

Aveline solitaire set in a clear, cool stone: white sapphire (April), aquamarine (March), moonstone (June). A slim gold ring, one stone, no frills. She’ll be able to wear it every day—with jeans or a cocktail dress.

She likes statement pieces and bold colours

Muse Aurora Halo in garnet, ruby, emerald, or blue sapphire. The halo setting and the intense colour make this ring a real eye-catcher that stands out even on a hand full of other rings.

She values meaning more than glamour

The Muse Lumière Trilogy features her birthstone, flanked by two accent stones that can represent other important people in her life. Three stones, three stories—the ring gains depth without being overly flashy.

It straddles the line between classic and modern

Aveline Lumière Pavé. A classic solitaire design, but with a subtle pavé band. It sounds understated, looks high-quality, and suits almost any lifestyle. Probably the most versatile ring in the collection.

Frequently Asked Questions