BIRTHSTONE JEWELRY + THEIR MEANINGS THROUGH HISTORY
Some of the best gifts you can give + receive are those that hold a special meaning. People always favor these types of personalized gifts and treasure them for a lifetime.
Birthstone jewelry is one of the most popular forms of meaningful jewelry! At NOLIA, we offer many options to customize our pieces. One popular choice to personalize are the birthstone rings. Our Original Birthstone Rings are a classic, but our Tiny Birthstone Rings are a newer modern twist that allows you to stack up more beautiful birthstones!
You can use these options to make something unique for yourself or a special person in your life. We have 24 gemstone options for all 12 months, including lab-created and natural gemstones. We can also make all of our birthstone rings in 14k gold filled, sterling silver, or solid 14k gold.
People traditionally wear birthstones to celebrate the birth month of someone special. However, people also wear them to symbolize important moments in their lives such as weddings, graduations, and anniversaries.
People have worn gemstones for each month since biblical times. The tradition of birthstones started in Europe in the 16th century. This tradition continues to grow in popularity!
Traditionally, people have connected mystical meanings to each birthstone. Many people around the world find personal meaning in gemstones, whether they believe in their healing properties or not. Gemstones are popular symbols that bring joy and good fortune to many. We will discuss the birth months and their popular gemstones, along with the meanings attached to each birthstone.
FUN FACT: Did you know that some months have more than one birthstone associated with it? For example, October has two birthstones, tourmaline and opal.
Already know what birthstone you’re searching for? Check out our Birthstone Collection and start building your perfect piece.
Not sure what type of jewelry to get? We are known for our high quality, handcrafted birthstone rings, which are made to order by a team of skilled makers in our Salt Lake City studio. Birthstone rings are an extremely popular gift for mothers. Think baby shower gifts, Mother's Day gifts, push presents, and birthdays!
GARNET • January's Birthstone
January has long been associated with the deep red color of the garnet. Although garnets can come in many colors, this will be the hue you see most for January’s birthstone.
The Egyptians believed garnets symbolized life. The Greeks associated them with pomegranates and the goddess Persephone. Hindu astrologers thought garnets could alleviate guilt and promote happiness and good health.
People say that garnets symbolize strength, trust, and courage and help the wearers develop strong feelings. Wear it to channel happiness and commitment, loyalty and passion.
Shop our jewelry that can be customized with January's birthstone.
AMETHYST • February's Birthstone
February is traditionally associated with the royal purple of amethysts.
Ancient Egyptians used amethysts for prayer and protection. Ancient Greeks believed that amethysts had a connection to the god Dionysus. Early Christians associated amethysts with Christ. Leonardo da Vinci believed that amethyst could make you smarter and remove bad thoughts.
People say that amethysts bring tranquility and help alleviate physical pain. Many people also believe that they reduce stress and cleanse negative energy from the body.
Shop our jewelry that can be customized with February's birthstone.
AQUAMARINE • March's Birthstone
Aquamarine is the birthstone for March. It is known as the sailor's gem. This is because of its light blue-green color and long history of being associated with water.
The Greeks believed that having aquamarine gemstones on a ship would make the god Poseidon happy and ensure a smooth and safe journey. Ancient Egyptians placed aquamarine gemstones on pharaohs' tombs. This was done to assist the pharaohs in transitioning into the afterlife. The gemstones were believed to help the pharaohs pass through the underworld on a boat.
This gemstone is believed to symbolize purity and help foster mental well being by reducing stress and promoting your inner peace.
Shop our jewelry that can be customized with March's birthstone.
DIAMOND • April's Birthstone
The luckiest of all birthstones is considered to be the diamond, April’s birthstone. This is probably because to the fact that diamonds are one of the hardest, natural substances on Earth.
Ancient Egyptians would wear diamonds on the left ring finger which was thought to contain the “vein of love” which ran directly to the heart. They did this to send the diamonds energy directly to the heart and help “spark” love. Ancient Greeks and Romans believed diamonds were the tears of the gods, and in ancient India, they believed diamonds were created when lightening struck a rock.
Diamonds are widely believed to symbolize purity, love, and faithfulness. They are also thought to disperse fear, increase creativity and wealth.
Shop our jewelry that can be customized with April's birthstone.
EMERALD • May's Birthstone
The rich green emerald is May’s birthstone and is often associated with the fertility of spring.
Ancient Egyptians believed emeralds represented knowledge and the ancient Greeks and Romans associated emeralds with the goddesses of love (Aphrodite and Venus).
Emeralds are thought to increase prosperity and help relay a sense of calm to its wearer. More commonly though, they are associated with love and fertility, and bring good fortune and vitality.
Shop our jewelry that can be customized with May's birthstone.
PEARL + ALEXANDRITE • June's Birthstones
June is a month that has two popularly accepted birthstones, alexandrite and pearl.
Pearls have long been associated with the moon and are thought to bring harmony, prosperity, and good fortune. In an ancient Hindu myth, Krishna, the god of love, first discovered the pearl and gave it to his daughter on her wedding day. That may be where the tradition of wearing pearls on your wedding day may have originated!
Alexandrite is a wondrous gemstone as it has the natural ability to change color depending on the lighting! It’s colors range from muted green-blues to lovely lavender like purples, and many shades in between. It was only discovered in the 1830’s in Russia and is believed to bring luck and intuition to its wearer.
Shop our jewelry that can be customized with June's birthstone.
RUBY • July's Birthstone
Ruby, which is derived from the Latin word ruber, meaning red, is the birthstone for the month of July.
Ancient Hindus believed that if they offered this precious stone to the God Krishna, they would be reborn as an emperor. Burmese and Chinese warriors, along with many other eastern cultures, would place rubies on their weaponry and armor, as the believed it would bring the good fortune.
This blood red gem is believed to bring protection, wealth, passion, and longevity to the wearer.
Shop our jewelry that can be customized with July's birthstone.
PERIDOT • August's Birthstone
Peridot, a light green gem, is the birthstone for the month of August. Did you know that peridot has been found on the moon, so it has been called the “space gem”?
The ancient Egyptians believed that peridot was brought to the Earth from an exploding sun and would mine the gem at night because they thought it would absorb the suns rays. In Hawaii, they believed the gem was the tears of the goddess Pele.
Peridot is believed to release negative energy and encourage happiness. It is also thought to bring mental clarity which will lead to success in the wearers life.
Shop our jewelry that can be customized with August's birthstone.
SAPPHIRE • September's Birthstone
Sapphire, often associated with royalty and communication with the divine, is the birthstone for September. Although most commonly associated with a deep blue color, sapphires actually come in many colors and shades.
It is said that in biblical time, the Ten Commandments were carved into stone using a sapphire. In the Middle Ages, this gem was believed to bring blessings from heaven to the wearer. In ancient Persia, they believed that our planet was supported on a pedestal made from this divine stone.
Sapphires are believed to have deep spiritual properties of divine communication, help heal ailments and relieve pain and stress.
Shop our jewelry that can be customized with September's birthstone.
OPAL + PINK TOURMALINE • October's Birthstones
October is another month that has two popular gemstone options, pink tourmaline and opal.
Opals are a beautiful, fiery rainbow colored gem that the ancient Aztecs believed brought destruction and contained magic. In Arabic legend, it is said that opals fell from the sky in lightening bolts. In ancient Greece, they believed opals were the tears of Zeus after he successfully defeated the Titans in the great battle. These colorful stones are believed to promote passion and romance, as well as symbolize hope, purity, and honesty.
Pink Tourmaline replaced opal as the birthstone for October in 1912 by the National Association of Jewelers. In the past it was used to protect against dark magic, but now it is more commonly connected with love, compassion, and the promotion of happiness.
Shop our jewelry that can be customized with October's birthstones.
YELLOW TOPAZ • November's Birthstone
While topaz can be found in a wide array of colors, the yellow topaz is November’s birthstone.
In ancient Egypt, yellow topaz was associated with the God of the Sun, Ra, and the stone was believed to be able to harness the energy of the sun. Likewise, the ancient Greeks and Romans connected the stone to the power of the sun and it was linked to Apollo, the God of the Sun. Ancient Hindus believed that the topaz would protect their homes from fire.
Wearing topaz was believed to bring beauty and wisdom to the person wearing it, as well as calm anger and break spells.
Shop our jewelry that can be customized with November's birthstone.
TURQUOISE + BLUE ZIRCON • December's Birthstone
The three most common birthstones for December are turquoise and blue zircon.
Zircon is a natural mineral and not to be confused with lab created cubic zirconia. Blue zircon is a brilliant shade of sky blue. It is associated with the benefit of clearing negative energy, relieving stress, and promoting self confidence.
Turquoise has been linked to ancient ceremonies and burials since 7,000 BC in Iran. Many people believe that the stone brings luck and protection to its wearer. Some cultures have also linked it to friendship and happiness.
Shop our jewelry that can be customized with December's birthstone.
So which type of birthstone jewelry would you wear? The ever popular birthstone ring stack? Or something a little different such as birthstone earrings or a birthstone necklace?
Still not sure? Shop all NOLIA's birthstone jewelry to create something truly meaningful for yourself or a loved one.
