Gemstones and their meanings

Precious and semi-precious gemstones are more than just beautiful to look at. Often, they are steeped in history and carry deep cultural and spiritual significance. Whether you’re looking for a meaningful gemstone gift or just curious about what your birthstone means. This guide will explain the beautiful colour and sentimental meanings behind each gemstone to help you choose the perfect jewellery piece for your loved one. 

Birthstones by month

 

Did you know birthstones as we know them today are a fairly modern concept? Established in 1912 by Jewelers of America, before then, the tradition of associating gemstones with months of the year was popularised in Poland in the mid-18th century. 

 

Month	Birthstone		Buying Guide
January	Garnet		Colour - Deep, rich orange-reds colours,  Setting - Choose a protective setting like a bezel or halo due to the stone's softness.
February	Amethyst		Colour - Deep purple is the most coveted choice. Although green amethyst is beautiful! Size - Larger carat weight Amethyst stones will retain their high value.
March	Aquamarine		Colour - The deeper the shade, the more valuable the stone will be.  Carat size - As Aquamarine is an affordable stone, a larger carat is good value for money.  Treatment - Some Aquamarine stones are heat-treated to enhance their colour. If you want a natural stone, check the certification with your jewellers.
April	Diamond		The four C’s are the most important things to consider when buying a Diamond. Cut - for light reflection, sparkle and brilliance. Colour - colourless Diamonds are the most sought after, whilst yellow/brown Diamonds are the most affordable.   Clarity - The fewer flaws, the more valuable and clearer the stone will be.  Carat - The stone's weight will impact the cost, but some shapes can give the illusion of a larger stone.
May	Emerald		Colour - the most sought-after Emeralds have a rich, deep, green hue. Jardin Effect - The jardin effect is used to describe inclusions in the Emerald, the fewer inclusions the more valuable the stone. Size - Emeralds are less dense than Diamonds, which means a 1-carat weight in Emerald will appear larger than a 1-carat weight in Diamond.
June	Pearl		Luster - The shinier the Pearl, the higher quality it will be.  Nacre Quality - The thicker the nacre of your Pearls, the more durable and longer-lasting they’ll be.  Surface Quality - Spots, blemishes or cracks can all reduce the value of the Pearl.
July	Ruby		Colour - the most desirable rubies are a deep, rich red with a blue-ish undertone.  Clarity - Rubies naturally have inclusions, the less visible inclusions to the naked eye, the more valuable they are.  Durability - As rubies are one of the hardest gemstones, they can be worn in any setting without worrying about damaging the stone.
August	Peridot		Colour- The perfect colour for Peridot jewellery is a rich lime green with minimal brown undertones.  Durability - Rated 6.5-7 on the Moh scale, we recommend a secure setting for  rings, like a bezel setting.
September	Sapphire		Colour -The best blue Sapphires are a deep, rich royal blue, while pink Sapphires should be a vivid pink - both have a velvety appearance. Carat size - Sapphires are denser than diamonds, so they appear smaller than a Diamond of the same carat weight.  Treatment - Sapphires are commonly treated with heat to enhance their colour and clarity. Untreated Sapphires are likely to be more expensive, and certification can verify if they have undergone any enhancements.
October	Opal		Colour - The most desirable Opals flash colourfully when the light catches it. The more vivid the colour, the more valuable the Opal will be due to rarity.   Durability - Opals are much softer on the Moh’s scale than diamonds, which means that they are more prone to damage. Choosing a secure setting like a bezel or halo will limit the potential for damage to the stone.
November	Topaz		Colour - Vibrant blue, orange and golden stones are the most valuable.  Treatment - Blue Topaz is often treated to enhance its colour, whereas natural stones can be more valuable.
December	Tanzanite		Colour - Choose a deep blue colour with hints of violet.  Size - The larger  carat size, the richer its colour is, making larger stones more sought after.

 

What do Gemstones mean?

What do Sapphires mean and symbolise?

Sapphires have long symbolised wisdom, nobility and divine connection. While most people imagine Sapphires as deep blue coloured stones, it may surprise you to find that they also come in shades of pink, green, and yellow which is due to a variation in iron and titanium impurities during formation. 

 

The Royal Stone

Sapphires have been a staple of crown jewels and royal collections for centuries. Kings and queens wore them for protection and strength - a tradition that continues today. Princess Diana’s iconic 12-carat Oval cut Sapphire engagement ring, which is now worn by Kate Middleton, is one of the most famous sapphire engagement rings known which gives this deep royal blue colour surrounded in a halo of diamonds.

 

Myths and Legends

In Ancient Persia, the sky was believed to be a reflection of a giant Sapphire behind the Earth. In the Middle Ages, the stone was thought to protect wearers from bad luck and dishonesty, even changing colour to detect infidelity. They were also said to reverse the effects of poison.

 

What do Emeralds mean and symbolise?   

 

May’s Birthstone, the deep lush green of an Emerald evokes dense forests, symbolising nature, rebirth and renewal. They are May’s Birthstone and represent love, luck and prosperity, making them the perfect choice for jewellery or a beautiful eternity ring.

Emerald Symbolism

Emeralds are a classic gift between lovers, symbolising love, growth and a new chapter in a relationship. They are also said to be lucky, attracting prosperity and success. In Hinduism, they are one of the nine sacred gemstones, associated with intellect and the planet Mercury. 

Emeralds in Ancient Egypt

Emeralds were Known to have been Cleopatra’s favourite gemstone, symbolising eternal youth and power. Cleopatra famously claimed all the country's Emerald mines as her own. Pharaohs were buried with Emeralds to ensure safe passage into the afterlife.

What does Aquamarine mean?

The cool, calm blue of an Aquamarine gem is named after water and the sea. They are March’s birthstone and symbolise serenity and calm. 

Calm and soothing

Aquamarine is said to soothe the mind and offer clarity to the wearer. It also represents strength in a relationship, offering a deeper connection through open communication. 

Good luck for travellers

Traditionally worn by sailors to promote safe travel across treacherous waters, The Romans believed the gemstone had washed up from the sea from a mermaid's treasure chest and that the stone would bring fortune and protection to those who discovered them. They believed that Neptune the god of the sea would have blessed them and this would give them a safe voyage. Nowadays Aquamarine has become a popular gemstone for safe travelling on land or sea.

What does Morganite mean?

Morganite comes from the same gemstone family as Emerald and Aquamarine - Beryl. It is a soft pink colour and is associated with romance and peace. Due to its romantic association, it makes an ideal stone for an engagement ring. 

The love stone

Morganite symbolises unconditional love and feminine energy, its rose blush pink colour is linked to compassion, kindness and matters of the heart. 

Modern discovery

Morganite was only discovered a little over 100 years ago in Madagascar in 1910. It was named Morganite after banker J P Morgan due to his investment in discovering the gem. This new stone rose into popularity in the 1920s and was widely used in Art Deco Jewellery. 

What do Opals mean? 

An Opal's flashing colours represent creativity and mystery - they come in a variety of colours and are said to bring the wearer good luck. 

 

The Eye Stone

In the Middle Ages, Opals were thought to improve the wearer's vision, and in Ancient Greece, they were said to give the gift of second sight and prophecy. 

Rainbow Stone

Australia is one of the largest exporters of Opal, and according to Aboriginal legend, Opals were created when the creator came down to Earth on a Rainbow, leaving behind traces in the stone. 

What do Garnets mean?

January’s Birthstone, Garnets are known for their deep red colours and are a symbol of passion and strength. 

Warriors Protection

Garnets were worn by warriors and soldiers in battle and were said to give the wearer protection and strength. And, it wasn't just in battle that it gave its wearer protection - it was also said to ward off nightmares and bring good fortune. 

 

Stone of devotion

Garnets represent loyalty and devotion, making them a popular choice for jewellery and rings and to signify the commitment and strengthening of relationships.

 

What does Peridot mean? 

 

Peridot is August's birthstone and is known for its vibrant green glow. It represents happiness and good fortune. 

The sun stone 

Peridots were worn as protection against evil spirits. They were also referred to as the gem of the sun and were used in Egyptian jewellery to pay respects to the sun gods. In Hawaiian culture, Peridots were said to be the tears of the goddess of volcanoes. 

 

Wealth and prosperity

Being a similar green colour as the dollar bill, Peridot is said to attract abundance and is associated with wealth and prosperity. Its connection to wealth has led to the nickname “the money stone”. But it’s not just financial wealth it represents - it also represents personal growth and wealth.

 

What do Ruby’s mean? 

Rubies are July’s Birthstone and are known for their fiery red colour, representing passion and power, making them an excellent gift to show your partner how passionate you are about your relationship. 

 

Protective properties

Across the world, rubies have been said to have protective properties. In Myanmar, warriors carried and some implanted rubies under their skin for added courage and protection, believing it offered them invincibility. In Ancient Rome and Greece, rubies were also believed to predict danger - their colour darkening if threats became apparent. 

 

Devotion and desire

Rubies have long been a symbol of love, lust and passion, and make the perfect stone to use in an engagement ring. They are also a favourite stone of the Royals, used in the British Imperial State Crown and other royal collections. 

 

What do Tanzanites mean? 

Tanzanites are more recently discovered stones and are the birthstone for December. It is named Tanzantine after the only location in the world where it’s found and mined, in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. 

Made popular by Tiffany & Co

As Tanzanites were only discovered in the 1960s, it only began to be sold in 1968, with Tiffany & Co introducing it to the market, calling it the “Most beautiful blue stone discovered in the last 2,000 years”. 

Rarer than Diamonds

Tanzanites are more than 1,000 times rarer than Diamonds due to the fact that they are only found in one location in the entire world. As there is a finite supply, the Tanzanite mines will eventually become depleted. 

What does Tourmaline mean? 

Tourmaline is often called the rainbow gem due to the wide range of colours it develops in the formation process, from green to pink and even black. 

 

The chameleon stone

Due to the range of colours it comes in, it can be easily mistaken for other gemstones. Green Tourmaline stones were mined in the 16th century in Brazil by the Spanish as they were mistaken for Emeralds.

 

Tourmaline - Electrifying

As well as coming in electrifying colours, Tourmalines are one of the few stones that can become electrically charged when heated or charged with static energy, leading it to be studied by early scientists.

 

What does Topaz mean? 

Like Tourmaline, Topaz is known for its wide range of colours, from blue to gold, green and even pink. It’s believed to represent healing and renewal and is the birthstone for November. 

 

Wealth and status

Topaz has long been a favourite with the wealthy and known to be worn by royals across the globe. It was a favourite of Cathrine the Great, who had a large collection of Topaz jewellery. However, it was also worn by Roman Emperors and Indian nobility throughout history. 

Energy and Power

Topaz is associated with mental clarity and healing. It is said to give the wearer the energy they need to focus on intellectual challenges. Making it a significant choice of gift for a graduation or a new job. 

What does Alexandrite mean?

Another modern stone, Alexandrite was first discovered in the 1830s in Russia. Its name, Alexandrite, comes from the Tsar who was on the throne at the time, Alexander II. 

Mystical colour-changing properties

Depending on its exposure to light, Alexandrite can appear in different colours. In natural daylight, it appears green, whereas in incandescent light, it can appear red or even purple. Its colour-changing properties are often linked to mysticism and spiritual insight. 

 

A rare find

Alexandrite is only found in a few select locations across the world, making it one of the rarest gemstones known to man. Today, more Alexandrite comes from Brazil and East Africa than its original discovery site of Russia. 

 

What does Amethyst mean? 

February’s Birthstone Amethysts are recognised by their royal purple hue and are known to radiate calming energy and support a clear mind. 

Protection from drunkenness

In ancient times Amethysts were said to protect the wearer from getting too drunk. Because of this, it was a popular ornament for the cups of the wealthy. The word Amethyst even means “not drunk” in Greek. 

Emotional healing

Amethysts are said to have emotional healing properties and can help with mental clarity when it comes to making difficult decisions. Amethysts are often used in meditation to open the mind to higher consciousness. 

Not sure what to buy?

Let us help you! Our friendly team at Shining Diamonds are here to help you every step of the way. With showrooms in Hatton Garden, Brighton and Birmingham, book an appointment or contact us for more information today.