Birthstone Jewellery Buying Guide

A Guide To

Birthstone Jewellery

Meaningful and personal, birthstone jewellery makes a perfect gift for birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions. With our experts’ advice, we’re taking you through the history, meaning and science behind each birthstone, as well as how to care for them.

Coloured gemstone jewellery

What is a birthstone?

A birthstone is a gemstone that represents someone’s birthday - usually their month or zodiac sign. Legends speak of the healing, protective powers, and spiritual symbols of each birthstone, and it’s believed that wearing a birthstone during its assigned month heightens these powers.

Coloured gemstone jewellery

What is the Mohs scale of hardness?

Created in 1812 by scientist Friedrich Mohs, the Mohs hardness scale rates 10 minerals based on their ability to scratch one another, 1 being the softest and 10 the hardest. While Mohs reflects scratch resistance, our graph also includes the Vickers scale, which measures how much pressure a mineral can withstand before denting—offering a more precise view of durability. The harder the mineral, the more you can rely on its longevity, quality, and strength. Diamond is the hardest natural mineral in the world, making diamond rings and diamond jewellery enduring, high-quality investment pieces.

Birthstones month by month

Imbued with mythology, the origin of birthstones can be traced back to ancient times – when 12 stones were associated with the 12 signs of the zodiac. The list of birthstones as we know it today was created in 1912 by the National Association of Jewellers in America. Our exclusive Dance by Beaverbrooks collection features pendants which boast all 12 beautiful birthstones.

September’s birthstone | Sapphire

Sapphires, beloved by royalty and marking 45th anniversaries, symbolise loyalty, integrity, and wisdom. Said to focus the mind and inspire self-discipline, they’ve held spiritual meaning across cultures—from Greek guidance to Buddhist enlightenment.

A form of corundum (like rubies), sapphires come in every colour but red. Durable and second only to diamonds in hardness, they’re valued in both jewellery and industry. Our sapphires, mostly blue and pink, are sourced from Thailand, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Australia—many enhanced by heat treatment to deepen their natural beauty.

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October’s birthstone | Opal

With changing iridescent tones, the opal is October’s birthstone. Said to enhance imagination and creativity, opal also symbolises hope, innocence and purity. Romans believed opals also brought good fortune. The word opal means ‘to see a change of colour’ in Greek. During the Middle Ages, Romans believed it was the most powerful because opal has the colours of all other gems with its rainbow iridescence.

Opal’s signature play of colour is caused by millions of tiny silica spheres in different sizes. These spheres diffract light to display different colours of the rainbow. Opal’s hardness ranges from 5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale.

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November’s birthstone | Topaz & Citrine

Topaz, most popular in blue, is one of November’s birthstones and comes in shades of brown, green, red, pink, yellow, and blue. Its name comes from St. John’s Island in the Red Sea, once known for yellow gemstones. Historically, all yellow gems were called topaz, which is why citrine, with its golden glow, is also loved by November babies.

Topaz was treasured by the ancient Egyptians and Romans for its protective and healing powers. Today, it’s believed to calm tempers and ease stress, while citrine is said to attract prosperity and joy.

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December's Birthstone | Tanzanite

Tanzanite is a rare and beautiful gemstone found only in Tanzania, making it an extra special December birthstone gift. Rarer than diamonds, it’s a present they’ll treasure forever.

Discovered in the 1960s near Mount Kilimanjaro, tanzanite is the striking blue variety of zoisite. Its vivid blue, often with violet tones, comes from vanadium and heat. It measures 6–7 on the Mohs scale.

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January’s birthstone | Garnet

Most commonly a deep red gemstone, January’s birthstone garnet makes a beautiful gift for January birthdays. Symbolising friendship, power and happiness, garnet is said to protect the wearer during travel and give guidance in the night. A durable gemstone, garnet ranges from 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale.

Garnet is actually a family of crystallised minerals, with 29 varieties. Although most people associate garnet with red, garnets actually come in every colour except blue. Deriving from the Latin word ‘granatum’, meaning seed (due to the resemblance to a pomegranate seed), garnet jewellery dates back to early Egyptian, Greek and Roman times. It was very popular in Victorian jewellery, giving it a regal and sought-after status.

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February’s birthstone | Amethyst

Amethyst, February’s birthstone, ranges from soft lilac to deep purple and makes a thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift. Symbolising peace and protection, it’s said to bring calm and clarity to the wearer.

Named after the Greek word amethystos—meaning ‘not drunken’—this gem was once believed to ward off intoxication and was reserved for royalty. A type of quartz, amethyst forms in rocks and lava, with its rich colour coming from natural irradiation and trace elements. It scores 7 on the Mohs scale, making it both beautiful and durable.

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March’s birthstone | Aquamarine

A beautiful blue birthstone for the month of March, aquamarine exudes the tranquillity of the ocean. Believed to keep you calm and peaceful, aquamarine is also associated with courage, loyalty and friendship. It’s used by healers to drive out negative emotions.

Meaning ‘water of the sea’, aquamarine is quite literally named after the ocean. Historically, it’s been used by sailors to give them a safe voyage across the seas. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that aquamarine was an antidote to poisons. Aquamarine is a type of beryl (the same mineral family that includes emerald), a rare mineral found in igneous and metamorphic rocks. With a rating of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, it’s a durable gemstone for jewellery.

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April’s birthstone | Diamond

One of our favourite gemstones, diamonds are the birthstone for those lucky enough to be born in April. Representing affection, eternity and everlasting love, diamonds are also believed to give you courage, strength and endurance.

Derived from the Greek word ‘adamas’ meaning invincible, diamonds have been the traditional symbol of love since ancient times. Some ancient civilisations believed that diamonds were the earth form of lightning and have been associated with many healing powers throughout history. A type of carbon, diamonds are formed under high temperature and pressure conditions deep within the earth’s crust. It’s the hardest mineral on Earth.

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May’s birthstone | Emerald

Emerald, May’s birthstone, is a vivid green gem long adored by royalty and symbolising youth, vitality, and rebirth—perfect for spring. Known as one of the most prized gemstones, it’s said to bring good fortune and renewal.

Each emerald has natural inclusions, often called nature’s fingerprints. Our jewellery features emeralds from Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil—many treated with oil or resin to boost strength and colour. The iconic emerald cut helps prevent chipping.

From the Greek smaragdus (green), emeralds were Cleopatra’s favourite, once mined in Egypt under her rule. Like aquamarine, it’s a type of beryl, coloured by chromium and iron, and scores 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, making it suitable for jewellery.

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June’s birthstone | Pearl

Loved for their pearly sheen, pearls are the 30th anniversary gemstone and one of June’s three birthstones, alongside alexandrite and moonstone. A symbol of innocence, purity, and lasting love, pearls have long been linked to happy marriages. The name comes from the French perle, once thought to mean “tears of the gods.”

Formed when an oyster coats an intruder with layers of nacre, pearls can occur naturally or be cultured by hand. With a Mohs rating of just 2.5, they’re soft and can scratch easily, so they need gentle care.

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July’s birthstone | Ruby

Fiery and bold, ruby is July’s birthstone and the 40th anniversary gem. Long seen as a symbol of love and protection, it’s believed to ward off misfortune—making it a powerful, passionate alternative to diamonds for engagement rings.

From the Latin ruber (red), rubies were once called the “King of Gems” by ancient Hindus, said to contain a fire so strong it could boil water. A type of corundum like sapphire, rubies are red only—other colours are classified as sapphires. With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, ruby is one of the most durable gemstones.

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August’s birthstone | Peridot

With its vibrant lime green glow, peridot is one of August’s three birthstones, symbolising prosperity and good fortune. In Hawaiian legend, it represents the tears of Pele, goddess of volcanoes and fire.

The name’s origin is debated—possibly from the Arabic faridat (gem) or Greek perdiona (giving plenty). Ancient Egyptians called it the “gem of the sun,” believing it drew power from nature. Formed deep in the earth and carried up by volcanoes, peridot gets its colour from its natural mineral makeup, not impurities. It scores 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale, making it durable enough for jewellery.

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“Brighten up a loved one’s special occasion with a gorgeous birthstone gift. Choose either their birthstone or the birthstone of someone they wish to keep close to their heart for an extra thoughtful gift.”

- Lorna, Head of Diamonds and Jewellery

Birthstones by Zodiac

Birthstones are actually historically linked to the zodiac, not the months; as there were 12 stones for the 12 signs of the zodiac during Roman times. Choosing a birthstone by zodiac is another way to find a personal and meaningful piece of jewellery for yourself or a loved one.

We’ve listed the below zodiac birthstones, but there’s often alternative stones for each sign. Align your stars and heighten your powers with your zodiac birthstone.

A sapphire gemstone
Virgo | Sapphire

August 23 - September 22

An opal gemstone
Libra | Opal

September 23 - October 23

A topaz gemstone
Scorpio | Topaz

October 23 - November 21

A turquoise gemstone
Sagittarius | Turquoise

November 22 - December 21

A garnet gemstone
Capricorn | Garnet

December 22 - January 19

An amethyst gemstone
Aquarius | Amethyst

January 20 - February 18

An aquamarine gemstone
Pisces | Aquamarine

February 19 - March 20

A diamond gemstone
Aries | Diamond

MArch 21 - April 19

An emerald gemstone
Taurus | Emerald

April 20 - May 20

A pearl gemstone
Gemini | Pearl

May 21 - June 21

A ruby gemstone
Cancer | Ruby

June 22 - July 22

A peridot gemstone
Leo | Peridot

July 23 - August 22

Any treatments to our gemstones are common to the gemstone and jewellery trade worldwide and are of a permanent nature. Each of our gemstones are natural gemstones and haven’t been created in a laboratory. Any synthetic versions of gemstones in our collection will always be described as synthetic.

Whether you’re looking for birthstone anniversary gifts or you’re marking to make that special someone’s birthday, discover our beautiful collection of birthstone jewellery for every occasion.

Dance birthstones by Beaverbrooks

“Crafted in 9ct white gold and glistening with your every move, our Dance by Beaverbrooks pendants are the perfect birthstone gift for a loved one who likes to sparkle with a touch of colour.” - Lorna, Head of Diamonds and Jewellery

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