Since ancient times different gemstones have been associated with births at different times of the year. In 1912 an association of America Jewelers formalized the birthstone list and this list is now maintained by the American Gem Trade Association.
So what are birthstones, well, they are precious gemstones associated with each month of the year and for each person their birthstone corresponds to their month of birth. In addition, certain gemstones are associated with an anniversary, with a different gemstone associated with each anniversary or birthday.
As many gemstones are considered to have properties which means they are beneficial to the wearer in some way, such as bestowing them with qualities, or protecting them from types of problems, a birthstone gift, or anniversary gift of the appropriate gemstone is often not just the gifting of a beautiful gemstone but also the gifting to the wearer of some magical, physical or emotional effect.
Below we have outlined the birthstone for each month along with some history of each gemstone and some gift suggestions. We hope you will find this guide of great interest and help!
Garnet jewelry is also a suitable gift for the 2ned or 6th wedding anniversary. Garnets are most commonly thought of as the deep wine red gemstones however garnets come in many different colors from a deep brownish red through to a purple wine color to a rich orange through to yellow and green.
They have a hardness rating of 7.5 which means they are suitable for most types of jewelry including rings and bracelets as they can withstand general use well. Garnets are believed to have healing properties and to give the wearer strength. They have traditionally represented a gift between friends which would be given to show affection and to ensure that the friends meet again.
As an anniversary present, what could say "I love you" more perfectly that a gorgeous garnet heart surrounded by diamonds? This garnet heart necklace would be sure to melt her heart.
Amethyst jewelry is also a suitable gift for the 4th, 6th or 17th Wedding Anniversary. Amethyst is a type of quartz and the gemstone color ranges from pale lavender through vibrant purple to very deep dark purple. The most vibrant purple is the most desired color amethyst. Amethyst have been a valued gemstone since ancient times and have been incorporated in the Crown Jewels of rulers from Ancient Egypt to the current British Crown Jewels.
They have a harness rating of 7.0 which means they are suitable for most types of jewelry including rings as they can withstand general use well. Amethysts are believed to guard against drunkenness, and in previous ages, goblets were made from amethyst for this very reason! They are also believed to be healing stones which bring peace and happiness to the wearer.
As an anniversary present, this gorgeous pendant, with an amethyst surrounded by pink tourmaline is so feminine and pretty, she is sure to love it!
Aquamarine jewelry is also a suitable give for the 16th or 19th Wedding Anniversary. Aquamarine is a gemstone from the beryl family of gems and it comes in colors of sea green, dark blue and sky blue. Historically sea green aquamarines were the most popular but these days the sky blue is by far and away the most popular color. The beauty of aquamarine has long been recognized and it has historically been used a great deal in fine jewelry. Aquamarines have a hardness rating of 7.5 which means they are suitable for most types of jewelry including rings and bracelets as they can withstand general use well.
Ancient lore attributed aquamarines as coming from the treasure chest of mermaids and they were often worn by sailors as talismans to protect them from shipwreck. They were also believed to help prevent seasickness. Aquamarines are commonly believed to bestow intelligence and youthfulness on the wearer.
As an anniversary present, this cushion cut aquamarine and diamond ring will win her heart all over again.
Diamond jewelry is also a suitable gift for the 60th Wedding Anniversary. Diamonds are the most well known of all gemstones and most commonly are thought of as the clear brilliant white gemstone that is most commonly seen in jewelry. However diamonds do come in a variety of colors from pale yellow through blue to black. The hardest of all gemstones with a hardness rating of 10, diamonds are suitable for all types of jewelry as they easily withstand general use.
This gorgeous diamond anniversary ring with round brilliant cut diamonds set in 18k white gold would make the most perfect, romantic gift for your loved one
Emerald jewelry is also a suitable gift for the 55th Wedding Anniversary. Emeralds are another member of the beryl family of gemstones and their vibrant green color has meant they have long been prized. The color of green can vary from a grass green through to a bottle green. Emeralds have been popular since the times of ancient Egypt where they were prized by the nobility and royalty. Ever since these ancient times, emeralds have been considered one of the finest gemstones. Elizabeth Taylor had a particular fondness for emeralds, and was gifted this stunning necklace by Richard Burton.
Emeralds have a hardness rating of 7.5 which means they are suitable for most types of jewelry including rings and bracelets as they can withstand general use well. Emeralds have traditionally been considered to represent spring and rebirth as well as love and faithfulness, indeed, emeralds were associated with the goddess Venus.
This gorgeous diamond anniversary ring with round brilliant cut diamonds set in 18k white gold would make the most perfect, romantic gift for your loved one
Pearl jewelry is also a suitable gift for the 3rd, 12th and 30th wedding anniversary. Pearls stand alone as the only organic birthstone as pearls are created by oysters and mussels. The oysters and mussels form pearls around a small piece of grit that finds its way into their shell, this defense mechanism, to stop the grit irritating them results in the most beautiful pearls. Pearls are most commonly thought of a white, however naturally occurring pink, peach, gold and black pearls all are relatively common.
Pearls are believed to have been among the first gemstones used by man for jewelry and their beauty has long endured. Pearls have a hardness rating of 3 - 4 mohs, so they are quite soft and can be damaged easily. Because of this they are best suited to earrings and necklaces. Pearls are considered very romantic gemstones because they made naturally. They are also believed to represent purity and give the wearer harmony and to bring love to the wearer.
The luster from pearls makes them very flattering to wear and these beautiful diamond and pearl earrings would make a gorgeous anniversary present that will make her look and feel a million dollars.
Ruby jewelry is also a suitable gift for the 15th or 40th wedding anniversary. Ruby is part of the corundum gemstone family and while most commonly through of as blood red, they occur in a range of shades from purple-ish red through to a yellow-red. Rubies have been held in such high esteem throughout the ages that they have been known as the "king of gems". They have been used in the jewelry of the rulers and nobility across the world. Rubies were particularly popular with the Maharaja in India, as they had a plentiful supply of the gems from the mines in Kashmir.
Rubies have a hardness rating of 9 which means they are suitable for all types of jewelry as they can withstand general use well. Rubies are believed to bring love, confidence, loyalty and courage to the wearer.
This gorgeous yellow gold, ruby and diamond tennis bracelet would make an amazing anniversary gift
Peridot jewelry is also a suitable gift for 16th wedding anniversary. Peridot is one of those unusual gemstones that only occurs in one color, in this case a bright green, although they shade can vary from a yellow green through apple green to a bottle green. Peridot is believed to have been the favorite gemstone of Cleopatra, so it has long been desirable. It was particularly popular at the turn of the 20th Century and many art deco jewelry included peridots either in cabochon or faceted form.
With a hardness rating of 6.5 mohs, Peridot is reasonably robust and is suitable for most types of jewelry. Peridot is believed to bring the wearer luck, peace and success and it is also considered to have a soothing effect on nerves.
As a birthstone present, these beautiful little stud earrings will brighten up anyone's day:
Sapphire jewelry is also a suitable gift for the 5th, 23rd and 45th Wedding Anniversary. Sapphire is part of the corundum gemstone family and while most commonly through of as blue or pink sapphires occur in a range of shades from clear through yellow to green, blue and pink. The most prized are generally a rich royal blue color however pink sapphires are becoming very popular in modern jewelry.
Sapphires have been believed to represent divine favor and are the symbol of pure and wise rules. As a result, Sapphires have been used in the crown jewels of kingdoms across the world for hundreds of years. The British crown jewels are particularly well off for sapphires boasting the Stuart Sapphire and the St Edwards Sapphire to name but two. Another notable sapphire is this sapphire which belonged to James J. Hill, a Gilded Age Empire builder and which sold at Christies NYC in 2007 for a record breaking price of over $3million.
Sapphires have a hardness rating of 9 which means they are suitable for all types of jewelry as they can withstand general use well. Sapphires are considered to bring inner peace to the wearer and have long represented faithfulness and truth.
With two little diamonds tucked between each sapphire, this eternity ring would make a beautiful wedding anniversary present.
Opal is also a suitable gift for the 13th wedding anniversary. Opals are formed of hydrated silica and are most well known as the milky white gemstones which display a wonderful prismatic array of colors. Opals also can be found in other colors the most popular of which is the vivid orange of Fire Opals.
The name opal comes from the Greek word for precious stone and opals were prized by Greeks and Romans as much as diamonds. Perhaps the most regularly seen opals are those which form the four faces of the Clock in Grand Central Station in New York. In jewelry, one of the most famous opals belongs to the Queen and was gifted to her on her first visit to Australia.
Opals have a hardness rating of 5.5-6.5 and so are reasonably robust and can be used in most types of jewelry. Opals are believed to amplify emotions including love and passion, they represent hope and are by wearing opals will fire the wearers imagination.
The beautiful opal and pink tourmaline work together to make such a feminine and pretty necklace, perfect for an anniversary or birthday gift.
Citrine jewelry is also a suitable gift for the 13th or 17th wedding anniversary. Citrine is gemstone from the quartz family and is found as a yellow gemstone with shades ranging from pale yellow to deep ochre colors. Citrine when cut and polished, is very difficult to distinguish from yellow topaz and so is commonly used as the birthstone for November. Citrine has often been used in a similar manner to yellow topaz and so was also extremely popular during the 19th century. This lovely Belle Époque jewelry set was owned by a famed French actress of that era.
Citrine has a hardness rating of 7.0 which means they are suitable for most types of jewelry including rings as they can withstand general use well. Citrine is believed to encourage success in the wearer whilst having the properties of reducing anxiety, encouraging logic and promoting intellect.
With colorful gemstones set in sunshine yellow gold heart pendant, this gorgeous heart necklace will brighten up any anniversary or birthday!
Blue Topaz jewelry is also a suitable gift for the 4th wedding anniversary. Pure topaz, is a colorless gem, however it is most often found as yellow, orange, pink, brown and blue. While yellow topaz was more popular during the mid 19th century, during the 20th century blue topaz has become much more popular and is now the most popular color of topaz. The blue of topaz can range from a pale clear blue to a rich deep clear blue.
Topaz has a hardness rating of 8 mohs making it suitable for most types of jewelry. Blue topaz was considered to give the wearer strength and heal physical injuries, calm passions and balance emotions.
The striking sky blue of these blue topaz earrings set in white gold make them a beautiful anniversary present!
