Birthstones

January

Garnet

The garnet group includes a group of minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones. The name "garnet" may come from either the Middle English word gernet meaning 'dark red', or the Latin granatus ("grain"), possibly a reference to the pomegranate, a plant with red seeds similar in shape, size, and color to some garnet crystals.

February

Amethyst

Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz often used in jewellry. The Ancient Greeks believed that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness; the ancient Greeks and Romans wore amethyst and made drinking vessels of it in the belief that it would prevent intoxication!

March

Aquamarine

Aquamarine, its name is derived from the Latin 'aqua' (water) and 'mare' (sea). Its light blue brings feelings of trust, harmony and friendship.

April

Diamond

Diamond derives its name from the Greek word adamas, which means "invincible". They are considered to be a symbol of everlasting love.

May

Emerald

Emerald is the most precious stone in the beryl group. The name comes from the old French word 'esmeralde', which was derived from the Greek word 'smaragdos' meaning 'green stone'. Emerald is regarded as the traditional birthstone for May, as well as the traditional gemstone for the astrological signs of Taurus, Gemini and sometimes Cancer.

June

Pearl or Moonstone

Pearls make perfect bridal & wedding jewellery, birthday and wedding anniversary gifts. Moonstones are often given as an alternative birthstone.

Pearls are formed within the soft tissue of a living shelled mollusk. They come in eight basic shapes: round, semi-round, button, drop, pear, oval, baroque, and circled.

July

Ruby

Rubies are considered to be one of the four precious stones, together with the diamond, emerald and sapphire. The word ruby comes from the ruber, Latin for red. Colours can vary from blood-red to pink.

Ruby jewellery is traditionally given to celebrate a 40th Wedding Anniversary and is the birthstone for the month of July.

August

Peridot

The peridot was often called the "evening emerald" by the ancient Romans, due to colour resembling deep green emeralds. Colours can vary from  yellow-green through olive green to brownish green.

September

Sapphire

The sapphire is one of the three gem-varieties of corundum, the other two being ruby – defined as corundum in a shade of red—and padparadscha—a pinkish orange variety. Although blue is their most well-known colour, sapphires may also be colourless.

October

Opal or Tourmaline

Opal are unique gemstones that range from clear through white, gray, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, magenta, rose, pink, slate, olive, brown, and black. Opal is Australia's national gemstone and has historically been thought of as a lucky.

Tourmalines are often given as an alternative birthstone gift.

November

Topaz or Citrine

Citrine is a variety of quartz whose colour ranges from a pale yellow to brown.

Topaz is often given as an alternative birthstone gift.

December

Turquoise or Tanzanite

Turquoise is an opaque, blue/green mineral.

Turquoise has been known by many names, but the word turquoise was derived around the 16th century from the French language turquie, for a Central Asian material which was early imported through Turkey.

Tanzanite is often given as an alternative birthstone.