Do you know your birthstone? An exploration of gems through the months

Personalising jewellery by birthstone is a subtle and meaningful way to add sentimentality to a piece. Each calender month has one or more gemstones associated with it, so you can choose a piece that reflects the recipient’s birthday. These gemstones can vary by culture and history, but the following list we’ve put together is from the Gemological Institute of America - a highly revered authority. We’ve included information about each gemstones hardness too, so you can assess if it would be suitable for the piece of jewellery you’re envisioning (see our blog post about gemstone hardness).

1. January - Garnet: January's birthstone, the garnet, comes in an array of hues beyond red, including green, orange, and even rare blue. Its Moh's hardness ranges from 6.5 to 7.5, making it relatively durable. Found in metamorphic rocks, the garnet's stunning colour diversity is due to variations in its chemical composition.

2. February - Amethyst: These are regal purple gemstones that come in a range of depth of colour, from pale lilac rose de France style amethyst, to deep and vibrant purple with pink flashes. With a Moh's hardness of 7, it's perfect for everyday jewellery. This variety of quartz gets its captivating purple colour from iron impurities. It's a gem that's both stunning and durable.

3. March - Aquamarine and Bloodstone: March has two captivating birthstones: the tranquil aquamarine and the earthy bloodstone. Aquamarines, with a hardness of 7.5 to 8, have an elegant pale blue hue and are often used in art deco jewellery. Bloodstones, a variety of chalcedony, showcase deep blackish-green with red specks. Their hardness varies, usually around 6.5 to 7.

4. April - Diamond: April's birthstone, the diamond, is famed for its brilliance and unmatched hardness of 10 on the Moh's scale. Its 3D carbon lattice makes it the hardest known natural material. Modern lab created diamonds are chemically identical, and so can give you all the benefits of natural diamonds at a more affordable price point.

5. May - Emerald: Emerald, May's gem, showcases lush green hues due to chromium and vanadium impurities. With a Moh's hardness of 7.5 to 8, emeralds are relatively softer gems often with impurities known as ‘jardin’. The rarity of quality gem-grade material combined with their alluring colour makes them highly sought-after.

6. June - Alexandrite, Moonstone, and Pearl: June is fortunate enough to choose from three birthstones: the colour-changing alexandrite, the ethereal moonstone, and the lustrous pearl. Alexandrite's Moh's hardness ranges from 8.5 to 9, moonstone's at 6 to 6.5, and pearls are comparatively soft at 2.5 to 4.5. Alexandrite's enchanting colour shift from greens to reddish-purples is due to chromium impurities. Moonstone's shimmer arises from adularescence, while pearls are organic gems formed within oysters.

7. July - Ruby: Beautiful rubies come in a range of pinks to deep reds, and with inclusions all the way to flawless top end gemstones. With a Moh's hardness of 9, rubies are only surpassed by diamonds in hardness. Their red colour comes from chromium. This prized gem's value escalates with its vividness and size, and top quality rubies command a small fortune.

8. August - Peridot and Spinel: August boasts peridot's vibrant green and spinel's captivating spectrum of colours. Peridot, with a Moh's hardness of 6.5 to 7, showcases shades from yellow-green to olive. Spinel's hardness ranges from 7.5 to 8, with colours including reds, blues, and enchanting greys. If you’ve ever considered a black diamond; look at grey spinels instead - they have an incredible flash and their transparency (while remaining monochrome) can blow the opaque black diamond out of the water!

9. September - Sapphire: Renowned for its deep blue colour, sapphire actually comes in various hues except red, which is classified as a ruby. If you like quirky gemstones, look for bicolour and parti sapphires. With a Moh's hardness of 9, sapphires are both beautiful and durable, making them ideal for all jewellery.

10. October - Opal and Tourmaline: October's birthstones include the captivating opal and the diverse hues of tourmaline. The mesmerizing color play of opals (with a hardness of 6.5-7.5) is known as opalescence, and is a result of their unique internal structure. Tiny spheres of silica diffract light, creating a captivating interplay of spectral colors that shift and dance as the angle changes. Tourmalines, with a Moh's hardness of 7 to 7.5, offer a stunning range of colours, making each gem unique.

11. November - Topaz and Citrine: November showcases topaz's and citrine's golden hues. Topaz, with a Moh's hardness of 8, can occur in a spectrum of colours, typically famed for blues and yellows and often irradiated to increase vibrancy. Citrine's warm yellow and orange hues stem from iron impurities. Its hardness also ranges around 7.

12. December - Turquoise, Natural Zircon, and Tanzanite: December's array of birthstones includes the blue-green turquoise, the dazzling natural zircon, and the alluring tanzanite. Turquoise, a relatively soft gem at 5 to 6 is a beautiful opaque, soft blue gemstone. Natural zircon, with a Moh's hardness of 6.5 to 7.5, boasts diverse colours and fantastic refraction. Tanzanite, with hues of blue and violet, is relatively softer at 6 to 7 on the Moh's scale.

Whether you're seeking a durable gem or one that shimmers with a unique hue, birthstone jewellery offers a more personal touch. Explore our collection or commission a bespoke piece to create the perfect gift that resonates with your journey.