What Is My Birthstone?

You’ve probably looked at a gemstone before and marvelled at its beauty. But have you ever considered that a stone’s properties go beyond aesthetics? Every precious gemstone has a rich history behind it, linking it to birth months, legends, symbolic meanings, and sometimes, even social media trends.

A birth stone is a gemstone that is attributed to your birth month, based on a long history of culture and attributions. If you’re curious about the gemstone attributed to your birth month, you aren’t alone–more and more people are enamoured with the sentimentality birthstones provide. 

Here, we’ve composed a list of the gemstones paired with each calendar month and dive into their origins so you can finally decide if that natural ruby necklace is right for you!

 

The Origins of Birthstones

While allocating particular stones to calendar months is relatively recent, the concept originated in Ancient Rome, where people began linking gems with zodiac signs and astrology. Ancient Romans collected all twelve stones to ensure peace, happiness, and prosperity. Let’s take a look at what your birthstone is and what it means.

 

What Is Your Birthstone? 

Learning about the different meanings and associations with birthstones can help you feel connected to the month you were born and provide interesting insights. Some people choose to internalise this information with their identities, and for others, it’s a fun way to gift personalised jewellery to a loved one or friend.

 

January: Garnet

Garnet, more specifically its red variety, is the birthstone for January. It symbolises friendship and trust. It’s the perfect stone to give to someone close to your heart.

February: Amethyst

Amethyst, the February stone, comes in a range of stunning lavender hues. Believed to provide courage, it can be your go-to piece in times of uncertainty.

March: Aquamarine

Aquamarine, a beautiful blue-green gemstone, was traditionally presumed to have magical healing powers. While modern science has debunked this belief, nothing stops you from weaning a beautiful aquamarine as an emblem of youth and hope.

April: Diamond

The most sought-after April birthstone requires no introduction. A symbol of eternal love all around the globe, this rare stone is always accompanied by a hefty price tag.

May: Emerald

May boasts another fan favourite — the emerald. This gemstone was Cleopatra’s favourite, due to its stunning colour and rarity. Emeralds are associated with balance, wisdom, and patience.

June: Alexandrite

While this month had traditionally been associated with the ever-famous pearl, a relative newcomer to the gem world took over in the 19th century. Alexandrite, a synthetic stone named after Russia’s Alexander II, is an expensive stone that has the ability to change colour. It is believed to stimulate luck and good fortune.

July: Ruby

July hosts the famous ruby–available in various warm, red hues, this expensive stone traditionally signifies love and intimacy. If you were born in July, make sure to check out our posts on how to tell if a ruby is real and what the birthstone is for July for more information.

August: Peridot, Spinel

Peridot, a yellow-green stone symbolising strength, was the go-to stone for August. However, Spinel, a gemstone often mistaken as ruby, has been recently added as an option for all of you Augustians. Spinel’s meaning slightly differs from ruby, and this gem is said to help set aside ego and promote harmony in relationships.

September: Sapphire

September is associated with sapphires, some of the most precious stones in the world. When most of us hear sapphire, we think blue. But in reality, sapphires come in various colours, including black. Associated with rich Christian folklore, a sapphire might be all you need to feel heavenly. 

October: Tourmaline, Opal 

Tourmaline and Opal are the birthstones for October. Both exquisite gems are multi-coloured, making them a visual treat for wearers and observers alike. Opal, which is equally beautiful, is incredibly inexpensive and perfect for budget-friendly purchasers. Opal is said to promote creative energy and tourmaline is said to promote healing after loss.

November: Topaz, Citrine

If you were born in November, you can choose between two similar-looking but distinct gems: topaz and citrine. Though they may look the same to the common eye, citrine attracts wealth and abundance while topaz encourages good health.

December: Turquoise, Tanzanite, Zircon

Turquoise is the gem most linked with those born in the year’s last month. However, alternatives include tanzanite and zircon. Most of these December stones are stunning bluish tones, perfect for maintaining a calm and classy aura. All of these stones have meanings attributed to personal growth and higher learning.

 

Should You Wear Your Birthstone?

While the idea of metaphysical abilities contained in rocks has been dispelled by scientists and astrologers alike, many still believe that wearing your birthstone can be lucky. Whether it’s luck or a confirmation bias causing you to think and act a certain way that’s leading to good fortune, who are we to question it? 

 

Why Do Some People Have Two Birthstones?

Some months have multiple birthstones for various reasons. For some months, different cultures had differing beliefs about the gemstone’s meaning. In other cases, some consumers wanted more budget-friendly alternatives to their birthstone.

 

The Takeaway

While the idea of stones containing magical powers has tamed down to being merely lucky charms, birthstones can offer a beautiful way to express your identity to the world. The next time you want to treat yourself to a beautiful piece or jewellery, or purchase a thoughtful, personalised gift for that special someone, consider incorporating a birthstone with it.