Birthstones and what they mean

If you’d like to surprise a loved one with a unique present, then why not buy a piece of jewellery with a gemstone linked to the month they were born in, i.e. their birthstone? According to ancient traditions, these pieces are amulets with strong powers. Who wouldn’t like one of them?

Tip: pay us a visit in our shop in Antwerp if you have been dreaming of a ring, bracelet, necklace or earrings set with your birthstone!

January: garnet

The first birthstone of the year, garnet is reddish brown in colour. Its name is derived from the Latin malus granatus (pomegranate), as its uncut crystals are round and red.

Garnet as a birthstone symbolises:

• Courage
• Inner strength
• Joie-de-vivre

February: amethyst

Amethyst is a mountain crystal whose deep purple colour was associated with Bacchus, the ancient Roman god of wine and revelry, and St Valentine. So it’s the stone of choice for Valentine’s presents!

Amethyst as a birthstone symbolises:

• Compassion
• Wisdom
• Willpower

March: aquamarine

Those born in March will be delighted with aquamarine, a birthstone named after the water of the sea for its intensely blue colour, from pastel to blue-green.

Aquamarine as a birthstone symbolises:

• Hope
• Health
• Order

April: diamond

April-borns might well have the most precious birthstone of all, as they claim the gem of gemstones, the diamond, for the purpose. Diamonds are girls’ (and men’s) best friends, after all.

Diamond as a birthstone symbolises:

• Wealth
• Self-consciousness
• Innocence

May: emerald

The month of May is linked to emerald, a stone that suits this spring month well with its bright green colour. The Incas and Azteks in South America even considered emeralds divine. And the Egyptian pharaohs also loved them.

Emerald as a birthstone symbolises:

• Unconditional love
• Harmony
• Patience

June: pearl

Technically speaking, pearls are not gemstones, as oysters make them. The ancient Greeks believed pearls were in fact the tears of joy of Aphrodite, their goddess of love. This is why pearl as a birthstone symbolises love.

Pearl as a birthstone symbolises:

• Love
• Elegance
• Happiness

July: ruby

The ruby has been called the king among gemstones. With good reason, because this precious stone adorned crowns of several monarchs. Its blood red colour indeed tickles everyone’s imagination. The name ‘ruby’, though, has only been with us since the 12th century as it replaced the name ‘carbuncle’ (derived from the Latin carbunculus, meaning ‘glowing piece of coal’).

Ruby as a birthstone symbolises:

• Willpower
• Concentration
• Courage

August: peridot

If you are an August child, your birthstone is peridot (also referred to as olivine or chrysolite). It resembles emerald somewhat due to its yellowish green colour.

Peridot as a birthstone symbolises:

• Inner peace
• Self-confidence
• Vitality

September: sapphire

Sapphires are valuable minerals wonderfully blue in colour. All through the centuries, these stones were considered to have healing qualities, which may be the reason why so many kings and queens wanted to own one or more of them.

Sapphire as a birthstone symbolises:

• Loyalty
• Discipline
• Strength

October: opal

Opal is October’s stone. This quartz crystal comes in different colours, including yellow, red, blue, green and brown. But be careful, because only a small part of all the opal worldwide is of precious-stone quality!

Opal as a birthstone symbolises:

• Creativity
• Impetus
• Trust

November: topaz

Babies born in November get a topaz for their birthstone. These gemstones are pretty rare, especially those golden in colour. So they have proven easy targets for fakes. The name ‘topaz’ was probably derived from Topazos Island, now called St John’s or Zabargad Island, off the coast of Egypt.

Topaz as a birthstone symbolises:

• Relaxation
• Easing anxieties
• Generosity

December: turquoise

Turquoise is considered a holy stone, reason why healers all over the world used to use it to cure health conditions. This mineral also changes colour from blue to green when it gets exposed to things like sunlight, perspiration and soap.

Turquoise as a birthstone symbolises:

• Self-realisation
• Balance
• Prudence