WHAT IS A BIRTHSTONE?
Birthstones are unique precious stones or gems that are often given as gifts to symbolize a particular birth month or special occasion in a specific month. At Allum & Sidaway, birthstones are wonderful gifts for mum, a friend, or family member during a special occasion but are particularly purchased as a birthday gift. Below shows you in detail what stones are linked to what month, offering a deep insight into history and meaning of birthstones.
Our guide to birthstones by month

January Birthstone: Garnet

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…
The beautiful garnet gets its name from the Latin “garantus”, meaning pomegranate, because…

Allum & Sidaway
18ct white gold diamond and garnet tear drop earrings

Trollbeads
Round Garnet Charm

February Birthstone: Amethyst

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…
An alluring deep purple, the amethyst is a variety of quartz known for its exquisite colour…

Allum & Sidaway
18ct white gold amethyst and diamond 3 stone ring

Allum & Sidaway
18ct white gold oval cut amethyst and diamond necklace (chain not included)

March Birthstone: Aquamarine & Bloodstone

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.
Aquamarine and Bloodstone are the two very different, but equally beautiful, stones commonly associated with a March Birthday. Aquamarine is also used to celebrate...

Allum & Sidaway
18ct white gold aquamarine and diamond drop earrings

Allum & Sidaway
18ct white gold oval cut aquamarine and diamond ring

April Birthstone: Diamond

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 magnificent beauty, historical significance and rich spirituality associated with diamonds…

Allum & Sidaway
9ct white gold diamond circle necklace

Allum & Sidaway
18ct white gold diamond scatter ring with pear and round brilliant cut stones

May Birthstone: Emerald

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…
The world’s most famous green gemstone – Emerald is held in high significance, as it…

Allum & Sidaway
18ct white gold pear cut emerald and diamond ring

Allum & Sidaway
18ct white gold emerald and diamond pear shape cluster stud earrings

June Birthstone: Peal, Moonstone & Alexandrite

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…
People born in June are lucky to have 3 birthstones, as are those born in August and…

Allum & Sidaway
9ct white gold diamond and pearl stud earrings

Trollbeads
Grey Moonstone Charm

July Birthstone: Ruby

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…
The name ruby comes from the term ‘ruber’, the Latin word for red. The colour can actually…

Allum & Sidaway
18ct white gold 3 stone ruby and diamond cluster ring

Allum & Sidaway
18ct yellow gold ruby and diamond cluster stud earrings

August Birthstone: Peridot, Sardonyx & Spinel

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…
Peridot is mystical and unique; with a fascinating story. The gem is recognisable through…

Allum Sidaway
9ct white gold peridot and diamond cluster stud earrings

Alex Monroe
Silver clownfish diamond and spinel ring

September Birthstone: Sapphire

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…
The word sapphire, originating from the Greek word sappheiros, is used to describe…

Allum & Sidaway
18ct white gold sapphire and diamond tiara ring

Allum & Sidaway
18ct white gold sapphire and diamond scatter ring

October Birthstone: Tourmaline & Opal

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…
Opal and tourmaline are the birthstones for the month of October. Opal is also the stone given…

Allum & Sidaway
18ct white gold black opal necklace with a diamond halo

Allum & Sidaway
9ct white gold pear cut opal stud earrings

November Birthstone: Topaz & Citrine

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…
Citrine and Topaz, the birthstones for the month of November, are probably best known for…

Allum & Sidaway
9ct yellow gold citrine and diamond cluster ring

Allum & Sidaway
18ct white gold rectangle cut blue topaz and diamond necklace (chain not included)

December Birthstone: Turquiose, Zircon & Tanzanite

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…
These stunning, cool, crisp and icy blue stones represent the chilly winter month of December…

Allum & Sidaway
18ct white gold 2.11ct tanzanite ring with stone set shoulders

Allum & Sidaway
18ct white gold trillion cut tanzanite and diamond stud earrings