Birthstones by month

Colour: Deep, wine red

• Protection
• Friendship
• Trust

Garnet opens the year with a colour as rich as red wine. For centuries it was carried by travellers as a stone of protection, and it has long been given between friends as a promise of loyalty.

Did you know? Its name comes from the Latin granatum - pomegranate - because the crystals look like the fruit's glowing red seeds.

Colour: Soft lavender purple

• Calm
• Clarity
• Balance

Amethyst is the stone of a clear, calm mind. Its gentle purple was once so prized that it was worn by royalty, and it's still loved as a reminder to slow down and breathe.

Did you know? The ancient Greeks named it amethystos - 'not intoxicated' - and believed it kept its wearer clear-headed.

Colour: Clear, sea-glass blue

• Courage
• Serenity
• Hope

Aquamarine looks like the ocean on a still, sunny day. Sailors once carried it for courage and a safe return home, and it's still a stone of calm confidence.

Did you know? Its name is Latin for 'sea water' - aqua marina.

Colour: Crystal clear

• Strength
• Everlasting love
• Clarity

April's stone is the most famous of all. The diamond has stood for unbreakable love and inner strength for thousands of years - which is why it sits at the heart of so many promises.

Did you know? The word diamond comes from the Greek adamas, meaning 'invincible'.

Colour: Rich, vivid green

• Rebirth
• Love
• Growth

Emerald carries the fresh green of spring. It has symbolised new beginnings and lasting love since ancient times, and was famously adored by Cleopatra.

Did you know? Emerald belongs to the same mineral family as March's aquamarine - beryl - but gets its green from traces of chromium.

Colour: Iridescent blush pink

• Purity
• Intuition
• Balance

June is spoilt for choice. Our June stone has a soft, iridescent shimmer inspired by the glow of pearl and moonstone - gentle, dreamy and full of light.

Did you know? Pearls are the only gems made by a living creature - formed, layer by layer, inside a mollusc.

Colour: Bright, raspberry red

• Passion
• Love
• Vitality

Ruby is the stone of the heart. Its fiery red has symbolised passion, courage and love for centuries - it was once called the king of precious stones.

Did you know? Ruby and sapphire are the same mineral - corundum. Only the red variety is called ruby.

Colour: Fresh lime green

• Positivity
• Strength
• Good fortune

Peridot glows with a sunny lime green that seems lit from within. It's long been known as a stone of positivity, believed to chase away bad dreams and bring good luck.

Did you know? Peridot forms deep inside the Earth - and has even been found in meteorites that fell from space.

Colour: Deep royal blue

• Wisdom
• Loyalty
• Truth

Sapphire's deep blue has been a symbol of wisdom and faithfulness for centuries, and it's long been a favourite of royalty. It's a stone that says 'I'll always be true to you'.

Did you know? Sapphires come in almost every colour, but the rich blue is the one everyone knows.

Colour: Sweet candy pink

• Love
• Creativity
• Hope

Pink tourmaline is pure romance - a soft, playful pink that stands for gentle love and compassion. It's also linked with creativity, making it the perfect stone for October's dreamers.

Did you know? Tourmaline comes in more colours than almost any other gem - sometimes several in a single crystal.

Colour: Warm golden yellow

• Warmth
• Joy
• Abundance

November's golden stone holds the glow of autumn sunshine. Citrine and golden topaz are both linked with happiness, energy and good fortune - a little warmth for the colder months.

Did you know? Citrine is named after the French word citron, meaning lemon.

Colour: Bright sky blue

• Calm
• Good luck
• Friendship

December ends the year with a cool, icy blue. Blue topaz is linked with calm, clear communication and good fortune - a bright, happy stone for the festive season.

Did you know? December has more birthstones than any other month - four in total.