The Ultimate Birthstone Jewellery Guide

The personalised jewellery trend is huge right now, and birthstone jewellery offers a gorgeous way to wear pieces that mean something to you. Whether you choose to wear your own birthstone or a gemstone that represents a loved one’s birth month, birthstone jewellery is thoughtful, personal and meaningful – and when styled in the right way, it can look incredibly chic and cool.

We’ve put together a birthstone guide for each month, so you can find out which gemstone is associated with your birth month, explore its symbolism, and discover birthstone jewellery styling tips and inspiration.

January

What is the birthstone for January? Garnet is the birthstone for January; these gorgeous stones are typically a deep red colour, but occasionally garnets in completely different hues crop up – a real treasure.

What’s the symbolism of garnets as the January birthstone? Garnets are associated with love, passion, friendship, and commitment, and they can also represent energy and courage. They’re a powerful symbol to wear in birthstone jewellery, to bring a beautiful burst of colour and personal meaning to your look.

How to wear January birthstone jewellery There are so many fab ways to style January birthstone jewellery, as the red of garnets looks gorgeous with a monochrome everyday outfit, or with an LBD on an evening out.

“Jewellery means something, and nothing is more personal than a birthstone” says Jo, the owner of Hill & Hill The Jewellers.

“Birthstones can be styled around existing jewellery, in rings or necklaces. We have designed and made many beautiful pieces featuring a birthstone, and that’s really personal and special.”

Garnets are an incredibly eye-catching birthstone, so let them stand out against any other jewellery you’re wearing. Pick one statement garment piece, such as a necklace, bracelet or earrings, and team it with simple accessories. If you have a garnet ring, allow it to take centre stage by pairing it with plainer rings, or by letting it stand alone on one hand.

February

What is the birthstone for February? Beautiful amethyst is the birthstone for February. Its lavender hue is one of Mother Nature’s most striking colours of all, and it’s a truly stunning birthstone for those born in the shortest month of the year.

What does amethyst represent as the February birthstone? Amethyst represents love, clarity, and protection – it’s even believed to guard against negative energy by eliminating stress and bad vibes. This gemstone is also closely linked to royalty, due to its deep purple colour and associations with wealth.

How to style February birthstone jewellery Purple is a bold colour to style, but amethyst looks stunning with a simple outfit, or a formal evening look. Amethyst birthstone jewellery will really stand out against a smart white or pastel-coloured shirt in the daytime. For evening glam, a black dress provides the perfect backdrop for amethyst to shine.

Amethyst looks equally gorgeous in a gold or silver setting; work with our expert jewellery designers to create 100% unique February birthstone jewellery for you or a loved one. View our bespoke jewellery gallery.

March

What is the birthstone for March? Aquamarine is the birthstone for March, so named as its colours are reminiscent of the sea. Aquamarine is typically pale blue in colour, with hints of sea green when it catches the light at the right angle.

What does aquamarine symbolise as the March birthstone? Aquamarine and the ocean are closely linked, and not just in colour; each symbolises tranquility, transformation, clarity and calmness. It was also historically carried by sailors to protect them on the seas. Carry it with you in birthstone jewellery for protection and guidance wherever you go.

How to wear March birthstone jewellery Aquamarine birthstone jewellery is gorgeous to wear at any time of year, but it really comes into its own in March when the first bursts of colour begin to appear after the long winter months. Wear aquamarine as part of your transitional spring/summer wardrobe to represent the changing of the seasons, and introduce an eye-catching pop of colour to crisp spring days.

April

What is the birthstone for April? April’s birthstone is the most glittering gemstone of all: diamond. While diamonds do come in different hues, it’s the traditional colourless diamond that’s this month’s stone, making it one of the most versatile to wear in birthstone jewellery.

What’s the symbolism of diamonds as the April birthstone? Diamonds are associated with strength, endurance, resilience, and enduring love. This is why diamonds are the classic choice for engagement rings and in wedding jewellery, but they make stunning birthstone jewellery too.

Tips for styling April birthstone jewellery Birthstone jewellery featuring diamonds is incredibly versatile to style. April birthstone jewellery may not be immediately obvious, but there are other personalised touches you can add to pieces, such as initials or engravings, to create a truly unique piece of bespoke jewellery that means something to you.

Layer diamond necklaces of varying lengths for a stylish, on-trend look, or find a beautiful pair of diamond earrings that will frame your face beautifully and catch the light whenever you turn your head.

May

What is the birthstone for May? Vivid green emeralds are the birthstone for May. The rich, deep colour of emeralds contrasts beautifully with a yellow gold or silver setting in birthstone jewellery and other pieces.

What do emeralds represent as the birthstone for May?
Emeralds are a spring birthstone, and their green hue is associated with rebirth, renewal, and healing. Emeralds are also associated with love, loyalty, intelligence, and growth – wonderfully positive connotations at the time of year when nature itself is renewing, and we open ourselves up to new beginnings.

How to style May birthstone jewellery Emeralds are a dramatic gemstone to style, but you don’t just need to save them for best. Wear emerald birthstone jewellery every day to represent love and healing, with a stunning emerald ring or pair of stud earrings. And if you do want them to take centre stage for a glamorous evening look, team an emerald pendant necklace with simple chains for a layered effect, or stack an emerald-studded bangle with other bracelets for a seriously cool look.

June

What is the birthstone for June? Alexandrite, a breathtaking gemstone that appears different colours in different lights, is the birthstone for June. Alexandrite typically appears green in natural daylight, but it may look red in some lights, making this a truly mesmerising stone.

What is alexandrite associated with as the June birthstone? Alexandrite can symbolise a variety of qualities, representing its colour-changing appearance. Associations include:

Luck
Transformation
Balance
Positive energy
Personal growth
Creativity
Prosperity

How to wear June birthstone jewellery Alexandrite is a wonderfully versatile gemstone to style, thanks to its unique colour-changing effect. Invest in a stunning pair of alexandrite earrings to wear every day, with any outfit, or opt for an alexandrite ring that will look beautiful alongside rings featuring a mix of metals and gemstones. Look out for vintage jewellery featuring alexandrite for a unique piece that has a story to tell.

July

What is the birthstone for July? Rubies are the birthstone for those born in July. Typically deep red in colour, rubies have long been associated with riches, and are one of the most sumptuous-looking birthstones.

What do rubies represent as the birthstone for July? The rich red of rubies represents love and passion, and it’s also associated with protection, wealth, vitality, and ambition. Wear July birthstone jewellery to showcase your love, while feeling safe and powerful.

July birthstone jewellery styling inspiration Rubies don’t need any help to stand out, so keep the rest of your jewellery minimal when you’re rocking July birthstone jewellery. Rubies look truly stunning when set in yellow gold, and they can be used to create gorgeous heart or other shaped designs, making them a beautiful choice for a bespoke pendant or pair of custom-made earrings.

August

What is the birthstone for August? The birthstone for August is peridot, a green-coloured precious gemstone. Peridot is a completely different shade of green to emerald, with peridot stones more likely to be an olive or lime green colour.

What’s the symbolism of peridot, the August birthstone? Peridot symbolises strength, protection, spiritual growth, harmony, and prosperity. Many believe that wearing peridot birthstone jewellery will attract these qualities into your life – a gorgeous sentiment.

How to style August birthstone jewellery Peridot birthstone jewellery is a truly unique colour, so let that vivid green stand out by styling this gemstone with a neutral or monochrome outfit. A peridot necklace against a low neckline will draw the eye and light up your face. Peridot is the perfect pop of summer colour on hot days and holidays, but its unusual hue makes it a mesmerising talking point all year round.

September

What is the birthstone for September? September’s birthstone is sapphire, a beautiful blue gemstone that belongs to the same mineral family as ruby – these are similar stones, just from different parts of the rainbow.

What’s the meaning behind sapphires, the birthstone for September? September babies have one of the most regal birthstones, the sapphire. These stunning blue gemstones have long been connected with qualities including wisdom, loyalty, sincerity, and protection.

September birthstone jewellery inspiration Sapphires are a breathtaking gemstone, and their blue colour makes them a little more versatile than some of the more unusual-coloured birthstones. A sapphire ring will look gorgeous with any outfit, while a dainty sapphire necklace or pair of stud earrings will dress up jeans and a casual shirt. If you have blue eyes, sapphire birthstone jewellery will really make them pop.

October

What is the birthstone for October? Opal is the traditional birthstone for October, with tourmaline seen as the ‘modern’ birthstone for the month. We love both of these stones; opal with its iridescent, milky hues, and tourmaline offering a whole spectrum of stunning colours.

What are opals associated with as the October birthstone? Opals are associated with purity, truth, balance, calmness, and hope, so they can be incredibly meaningful to wearers. Every opal has its own unique finish, and it will look different as the light changes; keep the stone’s meaning fluid when rocking your October birthstone jewellery.

The best ways to wear October birthstone jewellery Opals come in different tones; white opals are milkier in appearance and look gorgeous against cooler skin tones, while fire opals tend to have hints of yellow and orange, and pair best with warmer skin tones. Keep this in mind when shopping for October birthstone jewellery, and remember that opals can look completely different in different lighting.

Opals can be worn alongside other gemstones, as their subtle colours look beautiful next to other hues, from all ends of the rainbow. Opals are especially effective set in traditional yellow gold, which brings a vintage feel to contemporary pieces.

November

What is the birthstone for November? Those born in November have two birthstones to choose from: topaz and citrine. Both are yellow-coloured gemstones, which look golden in the right light or birthstone jewellery setting. Citrine tends to be a little paler in colour than topaz, which is typically a richer, warmer shade.

What do the November birthstones symbolise? Although similar in appearance, topaz and citrine are associated with different qualities; topaz represents love, clarity and abundance, while citrine is known as the ‘Merchant’s Stone’ due to its associations with wealth, success and good fortune.

How to wear November birthstone jewellery The yellow tones of topaz and citrine work well styled with neutral tones like beige, white and grey – these shades provide an ideal backdrop for these subtly coloured gemstones. Topaz and citrine both look stunning in either gold or silver-coloured settings, with each allowing these precious stones to shine in their own unique way. Pick the gemstone that you feel the biggest affinity to when choosing November birthstone jewellery to elevate your style.

December

What is the birthstone for December? The birthstone for December is blue, with December babies getting to choose from a treasure trove of blue topaz, tanzanite, and turquoise. Blue topaz and turquoise tend to have more of a blue-green colour, while tanzanite is more likely to display subtle violet hints.

What does each December birthstone represent? Each December birthstone has its own unique symbolism, so you can choose the gemstone that resonates with you most for your birthstone jewellery:

Blue topaz: associated with clarity, communication, and inner peace

Tanzanite: symbolises spirituality and wisdom

Turquoise: represents protection and good fortune

Cool ways to style December birthstone jewellery The beautiful blue tones of the December birthstones are vivid, versatile, and very easy to style. Blue topaz is incredibly vibrant and works really well with neutral outfits, while bold, bright turquoise adds the perfect finishing touch to a more bohemian look. Meanwhile, tanzanite with its violet undertones looks gorgeous teamed with navy blue or dark denim clothing. Experiment or speak to our jewellery stylists to find the December birthstone jewellery that’s right for you.