BIRTHSTONES



Month Color Stone

January Dark Red Garnet
February Purple Amethyst
March Pale Blue Aquamarine
April White (clear) Diamond
May Bright Green Emerald
June Cream Pearl
July Red Ruby
August Pale Green Peridot
September Deep Blue Sapphire
October Variegated Opal or Pink Tourmaline
November Yellow Topaz or Citrine
December Sky Blue Turquoise or Blue Topaz


January-Garnet

Though commonly associated with the color red, garnet can also be found in an array of colors. Some popular variations on the traditional red include green tsavorite garnet, raspberry pink rhodolite garnet, and orange Malaya garnet. Legend has it that this stone possesses powers that provide guidance in the night and protection from nightmares. Garnet is also traditionally given as an anniversary gift to celebrate the second year of marriage. Garnet can be found in the United States, Africa, Sri Lanka, Brazil, and India.

February-Amethyst

Amethyst, a variety of quartz, is available in many shades, from pale lilac to vibrant, dark purple. According to Greek folk legend, amethyst was said to prevent intoxication and to have a sobering effect on those driven wild by love's passion. It is also widely believed to have the power to prevent baldness, improve one'-s complexion, and provide its wearer with peace, protection, and tranquility. Amethyst is also traditionally given as an anniversary gift to celebrate the sixth year of marriage. Amethyst can be found in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.

March-Aquamarine

The ideal color of aquamarine is a clear, sea blue retaining no green or gray in color. The aquamarine gemstone is said to protect seafarers and is often given as a gift to those who frequent the ocean. A universal symbol of youth, hope, and health, its color suggests coolness and is most popularly worn in the summer months. Aquamarine is traditionally given as an anniversary gift to celebrate the 19th year of marriage. Aquamarine is mainly found in Brazil, Nigeria, Zambia, Madagascar and the Ukraine.

April-Diamond

While the most popular and the most common diamond is colorless, fancy colored diamonds have recently become popular. A fancy colored diamond can range in color, from various shades of yellow to red, pink, blue, or green. These colored diamonds are sometimes higher in value than a colorless diamond due to their rarity. Widely accepted as the ultimate symbol of love, this gemstone is a perfect gift for any woman. The most popular gemstone for an engagement ring, a diamond is also commonly given as an anniversary gift to celebrate the 10th and 60th years of marriage. Diamonds are mined all over the world. To learn more about diamonds, click here.

May-Emerald

One of the most highly prized gemstones, the green color of an emerald can range in shades. The most sought after color is a pure grass green, however, a true flawless, clear emerald is extremely rare and very difficult to find. The emerald is believed to not only empower the owner with good fortune, youth, and rebirth but it can also cure ailments such as low I.Q., poor eyesight and infertility. Emerald is also traditionally given as an anniversary gift to celebrate the 20th and 35th years of marriage. Emeralds are found in Colombia, Brazil, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

June-Pearl

The only gemstone derived from the sea, pearls are available in a wide range of colors and shapes. The round, white cultured pearl remains the most common, but colored pearls ranging in shades from pink to black have recently begun to see a rise in popularity, as well as the irregularly shaped freshwater pearl. The pearl has been widely recognized as a sign of modesty, chastity, and purity and also symbolizes a happy marriage. Pearls are traditionally given as an anniversary gift to celebrate the 3rd and 30th years of marriage. Pearls can be found in many waters around the world, particularly China, Japan, the South Seas, Australia, and Indonesia. For more information on pearls, click here .

July-Ruby

Derived from the Latin word A¬ruber,AR meaning A¬red,AR rubies only exist in the color red. The finest color ruby will demonstrate a medium to medium-dark, vivid, red color with a slight blue undertone. It is one of the hardest natural gemstones, second in hardness only to the diamond. Rubies are said to guarantee its owner health, wisdom, wealth, and success in love. Rubies are traditionally given as an anniversary gift to celebrate the 15th and 40th years of marriage. Rubies are generally found in Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Tanzania.

August-Peridot

One of the most fashionable gemstones in jewelry design today, when shopping for a peridot, one should seek a pure, lively lime colored stone without any brownish or olive undertones. Peridot actually forms deep inside the earth and is brought to the surface by volcanoes. Peridot symbolizes the tears of the goddess of the volcano and is often used in healing ceremonies in Hawaii and as an amulet against all evil. Peridot is traditionally given as an anniversary gift to celebrate the 16th year of marriage. This gemstone is abundant and mostly found in Arizona, but also mined in China, Myanmar, and Pakistan.

September-Sapphire

Most famously known as the stone Prince Charles chose to use in Princess Diana's engagement ring, sapphire has become a popular alternative to the diamond engagement ring. Sapphires come in many colors such as pink, green, orange, golden yellow, and the most popular, blue. It is thought that sapphires attract heavenly blessings to those who wear them. Sapphire is traditionally given as an anniversary gift to celebrate the 5th and 45th years of marriage. Sapphires can be found in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria, Kenya, China, and the United States.

October-Opal/Pink Tourmaline

Opal ranges from white to black with sparkles of every color in the rainbow. The opal has symbolized hope, innocence, and purity throughout the ages. Thought to banish evil spirits, opal was also believed to favor children, the theater, amusements, friendships, and feelings. Opal comes from Australia, Mexico, and the United States.
Pink Tourmaline has recently become the favorite gemstone among the jewelry industry. Tourmaline comes in many shades of pink and other colors such as purple, orange, yellow, and almost any other color in-between. According to legend, tourmaline promotes balance and protects its wearer from danger. Tourmaline can be found in Brazil, Afghanistan, East Africa, and the USA. Opal or pink tourmaline is traditionally given as an anniversary gift to celebrate the 14th year of marriage.

November-Topaz/Citrine

The color of topaz is most commonly a warm, clear yellow, however, topaz can cover a much broader spectrum. Topaz occurs colorless as well as red, honey-brown, light green, and pink. Blue topaz has also become a fashion trend, popping up in the latest magazines. The rarest and most valuable is the "Imperial" topaz, which is a fiery orange-red hue. Topaz is believed to hold the widest range of curative powers of all gemstones: it provides strength, cools tempers, restores sanity, cures asthma, and relieves insomnia, among many others. Topaz can be found in Brazil, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and China.
Citrine, also a brilliant gold color, is often used as an alternative to topaz because it is readily available and less expensive. This gemstone supports vitality, health, encouragement, and guiding hope for the wearer. Citrine can be found in Brazil, Bolivia, and Spain. Blue topaz is traditionally given as an anniversary gift to celebrate the 4th year of marriage and "Imperial" topaz is given to celebrate the 23rd year.

December-Turquoise/Blue Topaz

The most sought after color of turquoise is usually a pure, sky blue, but turquoise can also be found in colors ranging from blue-green to apple green. In the 16th century, the Southwest Indians used turquoise as currency, and believed that the stone could bring victory to warriors, animals to hunters, and good fortune to all who possessed it. Turquoise is traditionally given as an anniversary gift to celebrate the 11th year of marriage. Turquoise can be found in northeast Iran and the United States. In recent years, those who prefer a faceted stone have begun to use blue topaz as an alternative to turquoise. For more information on blue topaz, see the description given for the month of November.