WHAT IS A BIRTHSTONE?

The beautiful garnet gets its name from the Latin “garantus”, meaning pomegranate, because the seeds of the pomegranate fruit are a deep glistening crimson colour, much like these gems. Although commonly associated with this rich red colour, garnets are available in a stunning array of colours, each with their own name, some of which, such as mandarin garnets are very rare…

An alluring deep purple, the amethyst is a variety of quartz known for its exquisite colour, and equally rich history. It was named by the ancient Greeks, from the word “amethustos” meaning “not intoxicated”, because they believed that the stone prevented its owner from intoxication, or drunkenness.

Amethyst is a beautiful, affordable and highly durable semiprecious stone, widely viewed as the most valued variety of quartz today and associated with February birthdays and 6th and 17th wedding anniversaries…

Aquamarine and Bloodstone are the two very different, but equally beautiful, stones commonly associated with a March Birthday. Aquamarine is also used to celebrate a 19th wedding anniversary and has a connection with the zodiac sign Scorpio. Aquamarine from the Latin words “Aqua” and “Marina” was given its names because of its glassy light blue colour, resembling the “water of the sea”. This stunning gem evokes images of tranquil blue seas, cascading waterfalls and cool, crisp, pools of water.

The magnificent beauty, historical significance and rich spirituality associated with diamonds, the birthstone of the month of April, is sure to heighten the sense of self of the people born in this month. As most of us already know diamonds are the hardest of the gemstones. Made entirely of carbon, deep in the bowels of the earth, its structure gives it unparalleled strength…

The world’s most famous green gemstone – Emerald is held in high significance, as it is considered to be the most popular gemstone after diamond. The beautiful green colour is associated with growth, inner peace, reflection, life balance, healing and fertility. For May born people, Emerald holds an extraordinary place because it is also the Taurus birthstone…

People born in June are lucky to have 3 birthstones, as are those born in August and December. The birthstones for June are Pearls, Moonstones and Alexandrite's. With so many options there are beautiful pieces for every mood and budget…

The name ruby comes from the term ‘ruber’, the Latin word for red. The colour can actually vary from a vibrant pink to a rich blood red but, whether it’s closer to a blush or a scarlet sunset, the ruby remains one of the most instantly recognisable and well-known gemstones. Ruby jewellery can be perfect for all sorts of different occasions but can be particularly well-suited for summer birthdays as it’s widely recognised as the July birthstone…

Peridot is mystical and unique; with a fascinating story. The gem is recognisable through its distinctive lime green colour. Coming from the mineral olivine, it is known to be one of the only gems which derives its colour from the mineral itself, rather than its impurities. Volcanoes bring peridot - which is formed deep inside the Earth's mantle - to the surface of the planet. It has also been found on meteorites…

The word sapphire, originating from the Greek word sappheiros, is used to describe this mesmerising precious gemstone. Perhaps best known for its beautiful deep blue hues, it is a variety of the mineral corundum, consisting of aluminium oxide, with trace amounts of other elements, such as iron, titanium, chromium, copper, or magnesium…

Opal and tourmaline are the birthstones for the month of October. Opal is also the stone given to celebrate a 14th wedding anniversary.The opal is a beautiful shimmering stone, sometimes milky coloured, emitting a stunning array of colours from its surface.

The opal derives its name from the Sanskrit upala, meaning “precious stone”, and the Greek derivative “Opallios” meaning to see a change in colour…

Citrine and Topaz, the birthstones for the month of November, are probably best known for their warm yellow and golden hues, and for having been mistakenly identified as the same stone for centuries…

The name “Topaz” was overused widely, to describe an array of beautiful yellow and gold coloured gemstones, many of which were in fact made up of other minerals and were not actually the stone we now identify as Topaz…

These stunning, cool, crisp and icy blue stones represent the chilly winter month of December perfectly. A piece of turquoise, blue zircon or tanzanite jewellery would make a beautiful gift for a person born in the month of December.

Turquoise is also the gem used to mark an 11th Wedding Anniversary…