Birthstones and Their Meanings

Primary Birthstone: Garnet

Garnet, a deep red gemstone, is often linked with protection, strength, and passion. Historically, garnets were used as talismans for warriors and travellers, believed to safeguard them from harm. Spiritually, garnet is associated with grounding energy and revitalising one’s inner strength. The name “garnet” comes from the Latin word granatum, meaning “pomegranate,” due to the gemstone’s colour closely resembling the rich red seeds of the fruit. The connection between garnet and pomegranate is not only visual but also symbolic—both are considered to represent vitality, love, and abundance, with the deep red hue symbolising life force and passion.

Secondary Birthstone: Rose Quartz

Rose quartz is traditionally linked with love, compassion, and emotional healing. It is often called the “stone of unconditional love” and is believed to promote feelings of self-love, peace, and harmony in relationships. In jewellery, rose quartz is seen as a symbol of gentleness, healing, and forgiveness.

Primary Birthstone: Amethyst

Amethyst, a stunning purple stone, is linked to wisdom, clarity, and spiritual awareness. Amethyst has been used in royal jewellery for centuries and was believed to protect against negative energies, enhancing intuition and mental clarity. The name “amethyst” comes from the Greek word amethystos, meaning “not intoxicated,” as it was thought to prevent drunkenness and promote clear-headedness.

Secondary Birthstone: Onyx

A powerful protection stone, onyx is said to absorb negative energy and promote emotional balance and strength. Onyx naturally occurs in a variety of colours, but it is most famous for its black and white variety, where the contrasting bands of colour create a bold, dramatic effect. However, onyx can also be found in shades of brown, red, and green.

Primary Birthstone: Aquamarine

Resembling the serene blues of the ocean, aquamarine symbolises tranquillity, courage, and clarity. Sailors in antiquity wore aquamarine to ensure safe voyages, and it was often referred to as the “water of the sea” because of its ocean-like hues. The stone was also believed to have healing properties, particularly for calming emotions and bringing harmony. Its name is derived from the Latin aqua marina, meaning “sea water,” referencing its colour.

Secondary Birthstone: Bloodstone

This dark green stone flecked with red is believed to enhance courage, vitality, and strength. The stone’s name comes from the red spots within the green surface, which were thought to resemble blood. In medieval Europe, bloodstone was considered to have protective and life-saving qualities, often worn as a talisman by warriors. It was also used in signet rings, engraving, and seal designs during the Renaissance.

Primary Birthstone: Diamond

A symbol of eternal love and invincibility, diamonds have long been treasured in engagement rings and royal crowns. They are thought to enhance strength, clarity, and purity of mind. The word “diamond” comes from the Greek adamas, meaning “unconquerable” or “invincible,” reflecting the gemstone’s unmatched hardness and brilliance.

Secondary Birthstone: White Sapphire

This stone carries the same brilliance as a diamond and symbolises wisdom, strength, and integrity. White sapphires are also durable, scoring 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness. While not as hard as diamonds, they are still highly resistant to scratching. White sapphires are less brilliant than diamonds due to their lower refractive index

Primary Birthstone: Emerald

Emeralds, with their lush green colour, have been cherished by ancient civilisations for their association with wisdom, fertility, and rebirth. They are also said to open the heart to love and compassion. Emeralds were prized by ancient civilisations, particularly the Egyptians, who mined them in the desert hills along the Red Sea. Cleopatra was famously fond of emeralds, using them in her jewellery and as symbols of her reign. The name “emerald” is derived from the Greek smaragdos, meaning “green gem.”

Secondary Birthstone: Chrysoprase

A bright green gemstone, chrysoprase is linked to joy, prosperity, and emotional healing. Chrysoprase has been known since antiquity, though it was more commonly used in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Ancient Greeks and Romans used chrysoprase in jewellery, and it was also prized by the European aristocracy during the Renaissance.

Primary Birthstone: Pearl

Pearls symbolise purity, wisdom, and integrity. They have been used in jewellery for centuries and were favoured by royalty and nobility. The ancient Greeks believed pearls were the tears of the gods, and in some cultures, they symbolised purity and love. In ancient China and India, pearls were considered sacred, often used in jewellery and religious artefacts

Secondary Birthstone: Moonstone

Moonstone is a mystical gemstone with a soft, shimmering appearance, belonging to the feldspar mineral family. Its unique optical effect, called adularescence, gives it a moonlit glow. Moonstone has been admired for thousands of years. In ancient civilisations like the Romans and Greeks, it was believed to be linked to the moon and associated with the goddess Diana. In India, moonstone was considered a sacred stone, symbolising love and fertility. This iridescent gem is associated with intuition, feminine energy, and new beginnings.

Primary Birthstone: Ruby

Ruby, a variety of corundum, is one of the most treasured gemstones in history, prized for its vibrant red colour and durability. A stone of passion, vitality, and protection, rubies have been prized by ancient civilisations and royalty. They are believed to bring strength and prosperity. The name “ruby” is derived from the Latin word ruber, meaning “red,” reflecting its vivid red hue.

Secondary Birthstone: Carnelian

Carnelian has been used as a gemstone since ancient times. In Egypt, it was highly prized, often used in jewellery, amulets, and signet rings. Ancient Egyptians believed carnelian had protective properties, especially for the afterlife, and it was often placed in tombs. The stone was also popular in Rome and Greece, where it was used in engraved gemstones for rings, and symbolised courage, vitality, and creativity.

Primary Birthstone: Peridot

A vibrant green gemstone, peridot is associated with prosperity, protection, and positive energy. Peridot has been used as a gemstone for over 3,500 years. It was known to the ancient Egyptians, who called it “the gem of the sun,” as it was often mined on the volcanic island of Zabargad (also known as St. John’s Island) in the Red Sea. Ancient Egyptians believed the stone had magical properties and could protect against nightmares. During the Middle Ages, peridot was often set into religious artifacts, and it became associated with the power to dispel evil spirits. The name “peridot” is thought to come from the Arabic faridat, meaning “gem.”

Secondary Birthstone: Spinel

Spinel is a precious gemstone that comes in a variety of colours, including red, pink, blue, purple, and black. It is often mistaken for other gemstones, especially ruby and sapphire, due to its similar appearance. Spinel has excellent durability (Mohs hardness of 7.5–8) and brilliant sparkle, making it a prized choice for jewellery. Spinel is linked to revitalisation, energy, and protection from negativity. For centuries, spinels were confused with rubies and sapphires due to their similar colours. Many famous “rubies” in royal crowns and collections were later discovered to be spinels. The Black Prince’s Ruby – A large red spinel set in the British Imperial State Crown was originally thought to be a ruby and has been in the British royal collection since the 14th century.

Primary Birthstone: Sapphire

Most commonly found in deep blue, sapphires symbolise wisdom, loyalty, and divine favour. Historically, they were worn by royalty to attract protection and guidance. The word “sapphire” comes from the Greek sappheiros, meaning “blue stone.” While blue is the most famous, sapphires actually come in almost every color except red (since red corundum is classified as ruby). Star sapphires exhibit a star-like effect (called asterism) due to needle-like inclusions.

Secondary Birthstone: Lapis Lazuli

A deep blue stone speckled with gold, lapis lazuli is known for enhancing wisdom, self-expression, and spiritual growth. The most prized lapis lazuli comes from the Badakhshan province in Afghanistan, where it has been mined for over 6,000 years.

Primary Birthstone: Opal

Opals shimmer with a kaleidoscope of colours, representing creativity, transformation, and emotional healing. Ancient cultures believed opals contained the virtues of all gemstones, as their colours shifted and changed in the light, symbolising fluidity and adaptability. In Ancient Rome, the Romans prized opals above all other gemstones, believing they symbolised hope and good fortune. They called it “opalus”, meaning “precious stone.” The Roman senator Pliny the Elder described opals as containing the beauty of all other gemstones combined.

In Indigenous Australian Dreamtime stories, opals were created when the Creator stepped onto Earth, and his footprints turned into shimmering stones. Australian opals, especially black opals from Lightning Ridge, are among the most valuable and prized opals in the world.

Secondary Birthstone: Tourmaline

Tourmaline is one of the most colourful gemstones, occurring in nearly every hue. It is associated with protection, balance, and creativity.

Watermelon Tourmaline – A combination of pink, white, and green in one crystal, resembling a watermelon slice

Paraíba Tourmaline – Electric neon blue to greenish-blue, the most valuable variety, due to copper traces.

Primary Birthstone: Topaz

Often golden or blue, topaz symbolises abundance, strength, and clarity. It has been used historically to promote good fortune and health. The name “topaz” is thought to come from the Sanskrit word tapaz, meaning “fire.”

Natural Colors of Topaz:

1. Colorless (White Topaz) – The most common form of topaz, often used as a diamond substitute.
2. Yellow – Ranges from pale yellow to golden hues, often mistaken for citrine.
3. Orange (Imperial Topaz) – A rare and highly valued variety, with shades of deep golden-orange to reddish-orange.
4. Pink – Naturally occurring pink topaz is rare and usually a result of chromium traces.
5. Red (Imperial or Precious Topaz) – One of the rarest colors, often with a reddish-orange or deep pinkish-red hue.
6. Blue – Light blue topaz can occur naturally, but most blue topaz on the market is treated.

Treated & Enhanced Colors of Topaz:

Mystic Topaz – A coated topaz that displays rainbow-like iridescence, created with a thin titanium film.

Swiss Blue – A bright, vibrant blue achieved through heat and irradiation.

London Blue – A deep, rich blue created through irradiation, darker than Swiss Blue.

Secondary Birthstone: Citrine

A warm yellow gemstone, citrine is linked to prosperity, joy, and positive energy. During the Art Deco period, citrine was widely used in bold, geometric jewellery, favoured by celebrities and royalty, including Hollywood stars like Greta Garbo. And during Roman times, citrine was used in signet rings and jewellery, believing it carried the energy of the sun.

“The Merchant’s Stone” – Citrine has long been associated with wealth and success, leading to its nickname. Many believed it attracted prosperity, making it a favorite among traders and business owners.

Primary Birthstone: Turquoise

A sacred stone in many cultures, turquoise is associated with protection, wisdom, and good fortune. It has been used in jewellery by Native American and Middle Eastern civilisations for thousands of years. The name “turquoise” comes from the French word turquois, meaning “Turkish,” as the stone was originally imported to Europe through Turkey.

Secondary Birthstone: Tanzanite

A striking blue-violet gem, tanzanite is believed to aid spiritual awakening, transformation, and emotional balance. Tanzanite was discovered in 1967 by a Maasai tribesman near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, East Africa. It was named after the country where it was found, making it a modern addition to the world of gemstones. Tanzanite is only found in one location on Earth – a small area near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, about 4.3 square miles. The deposit of tanzanite is believed to be finite, and some experts estimate that the gemstone could be mined out in a few decades.