The History Woven Into Every Birthstone

Birthstones have been woven into human history for thousands of years. One of the earliest references appears in biblical tradition, where twelve gemstones on a high priest’s breastplate represented the twelve tribes. Over time, these stones became linked to the months of the year, with many ancient cultures believing gemstones carried protective and symbolic meaning. In 1912, the National Association of Jewellers officially standardized the modern birthstone list that we still use. Today, birthstones remain deeply personal, chosen to mark birthdays, milestones, and meaningful moments, often becoming cherished keepsakes that carry both history and personal story.

January~ Garnet

Garnet has been used in jewellery for over 5,000 years, with examples found in ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artifacts. While most people picture red, garnet naturally occurs in almost every colour.

February~ Amethyst

Amethyst was once considered as valuable as diamond until large deposits were discovered in the 1800s. Its name comes from a Greek word meaning not intoxicated, as it was believed to promote clarity of mind. Leonardo da Vinci wrote that amethyst sharpened intelligence and cleared negative thoughts.

March~ Aquamarine

Aquamarine gets its name from Latin words meaning water of the sea. Sailors once carried aquamarine for protection believing it could calm storms. In medieval times, it was believed to reveal hidden truths and was used by fortune tellers and healers.

April~ Diamond

Many diamonds formed more than one billion years ago deep within the earth before rising to the surface through volcanic activity. Every natural diamond contains tiny internal characteristics called inclusions that act like a fingerprint, meaning no two are identical. Some diamonds also glow under ultraviolet light, a phenomenon known as fluorescence.

May~ Emerald

Emeralds were one of Cleopatra’s favourite gemstones, and she often gifted them to visiting dignitaries. Most emeralds contain natural inclusions known as jardin, meaning garden in French, which are considered part of the stone’s character rather than a flaw.

June~ Pearl and Alexandrite

Pearls are the only birthstone formed inside a living creature rather than within the earth. In ancient China, pearls symbolized wisdom gained through experience. Alexandrite is one of the rarest gemstones and naturally changes colour, appearing green in daylight and reddish under warm light.

July~ Ruby

Rubies have been called the king of gemstones for centuries. In ancient Burma, warriors believed rubies made them invincible and some even embedded them beneath their skin before battle.

August~ Peridot

Peridot forms deep within the earth’s mantle and reaches the surface through volcanic activity. It has also been found in meteorites, meaning some peridot is older than the earth itself. Ancient Egyptians called it the gem of the sun.

September~ Sapphire

Sapphire belongs to the corundum family, meaning rubies and sapphires are the same mineral, with colour being the only difference. Sapphires are also used in watch crystals and scientific instruments because of their strength and clarity.

October~ Opal 

Opals are known for their play of colour, created when light moves through tiny silica spheres within the stone. Because opals contain between three and twenty one percent water, freezing temperatures can cause cracking.

November~ Topaz and Citrine

Topaz was once believed to protect travellers and was used in ancient amulets. It occurs naturally in many colours, including blue, pink, yellow, and clear. Citrine was known as the merchant’s stone because it was believed to attract success and prosperity and was often kept in cash drawers and shops.

December~ Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon

Turquoise gets its name from the French word for Turkish because it entered Europe through Turkey centuries ago, though it was used by Indigenous cultures long before that. Tanzanite is found in only one place on earth near Mount Kilimanjaro, making it one of the rarest gemstones available today. Zircon has been found in rocks over four billion years old, making it one of the oldest known minerals on the planet.

Understanding the stories behind birthstones adds depth to the pieces we choose to wear and gift. All jewellery featured in the photos is available for purchase from Precision Jewellers.