The Luxiere guide to birthstone jewellery

Birthstones are typically symbolised through precious and / or semi-precious gemstones, usually presented in the form of jewellery. Wearing your birthstone jewellery is believed to bring you the qualities in which the gemstone represents.

Traditionally birthstones represent a month of the year based on the Gregorian calendar and each month with its associated birthstone has a poem to match. The Gregorian calendar birthstone poems of unknown author were first published by Tiffany & Co in 1870.

The birthstone jewellery guide below, which dates back to 1912 and is believed to represent the origin of birthstones, displays the gemstones, their associated meaning, gemstone alternative and Gregorian calendar poem.

 

Garnet Birthstone Jewellery

January

Gemstone: Garnet
Meaning: faith, eternity and truth

By her who in this month (January) is born, No gem save garnets should be worn;
They will ensure her constancy, True friendship, and fidelity.

 


Amethyst Birthstone JewelleryFebruary

Gemstone: Amethyst
Meaning: Luck, wittiness and health

The February-born shall find, Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care, If they an amethyst will wear.

 

Bloodstone Birthstone JewelleryMarch

Gemstone: Aquamarine / Bloodstone
Meaning: Happiness and understanding

Who in this world of ours their eyes, In March first open shall be wise,
In days of peril firm and brave, And wear a bloodstone to their grave.

 

Rock Crystal Birthstone JewelleryApril

Gemstone:Diamond / Rock Crystal
Meaning: Eternity, courage and health

She who from April dates her years, Diamonds shall wear, lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow; this stone, Emblem of innocence, is known.

 

Chrysoprase Birthstone JewelleryMay

Gemstone: Emerald / Chrysoprase
Meaning: Fidelity, goodness and love

Who first beholds the light of day, In spring’s sweet flowery month of May
And wears an emerald all her life, Shall be a loved and happy wife.

 

Moonstone Birthstone JewelleryJune

Gemstone: Pearl / Moonstone
Meaning: Peace, nobility and beauty

Who comes with summer to this earth, And owes to June her hour of birth,
With ring of agate on her hand, Can health, wealth, and long life command.

 

Cornelian Birthstone JewelleryJuly

Gemstone: Ruby / Cornelian
Meaning: Love, enthusiasm, strength

The glowing ruby shall adorn, Those who in July are born;
Then they’ll be exempt and free, From love’s doubts and anxiety.

 

Peridot Birthstone JewelleryAugust

Gemstone: Peridot / Sardonyx
Meaning: Success, peace, love

Wear a sardonyx or for thee, No conjugal felicity;
The August-born without this stone, `Tis said, must live unloved and lone.

 

Lapis Lazuli Birthstone JewellerySeptember

Gemstone: Sapphire / Lapis Lazuli
Meaning: Serenity, truth

A maiden born when September leaves, Are rustling in September’s breeze,
A sapphire on her brow should bind, `Twill cure diseases of the mind.

 

Opal Birthstone JewelleryOctober

Gemstone: Opal
Meaning: Purity, hope, health

October’s child is born for woe, And life’s vicissitudes must know,
But lay an opal on her breast, And hope will lull those woes to rest.

 

Citrine Birthstone JewelleryNovember

Gemstone: Topaz / Citrine
Meaning: Wisdom, courage, sincerity

Who first comes to this world below, With drear November’s fog and snow,
Should prize the topaz’s amber hue, Emblem of friends and lovers true.

 

Turquoise Birthstone JewelleryDecember

Gemstone: Tanzanite / Turquoise
Meaning: Love, happiness and luck

If cold December gave you birth, The month of snow and ice and mirth,
Place on your hand a turquoise blue; Success will bless whate’er you do.