Birthstone jewelry
A gift as personal as she is
A birth month narrows an impossible decision down to one stone. From there it is a question of period, setting and budget, and that is the part we are good at. Every piece below is antique, vintage or estate, so it is the only one of its kind, and if the right stone is not in stock this month our atelier will make it.
Birthstones by month
The modern American list is a trade convention, not an ancient law, and five months carry more than one recognized stone. Any of them is correct, so pick the one she would actually wear.
January
Garnet
Garnet stands for constancy and safe return, which is why it was given so often between people who were about to be apart.
A Bohemian garnet cluster brooch or a Victorian ring gives a lot of warmth for a modest budget.
February
Amethyst
Amethyst has carried the idea of clear headedness and calm since antiquity, and it reads as quietly regal rather than loud.
A large Victorian or Retro amethyst in yellow gold is one of the best value colored stone gifts we sell.
March
Aquamarine · Bloodstone
Aquamarine was the sailor's stone, given for calm water and steady passage, and its pale blue suits people who do not want anything showy.
Retro cocktail rings set with a big step cut aquamarine make a striking milestone gift.
Shop aquamarine piecesAquamarine explainedBloodstone is on the list tooDesign a ring with her aquamarineApril
Diamond
Diamond is the stone of endurance, and in antique cuts it does that with candlelit softness instead of modern glitter.
An old European or rose cut diamond piece is the April gift that also works as an engagement ring.
May
Emerald
Emerald has meant renewal and new growth for centuries, which makes it a natural gift for a beginning of any kind.
An Art Deco emerald and diamond ring is the classic. Ask us about oiling before you buy; we will tell you what we know.
June
Pearl · Moonstone · Alexandrite
June has the softest set of stones on the list: pearl for sincerity, moonstone for intuition, alexandrite for change.
A natural pearl piece or an Art Nouveau moonstone pendant suits someone who wears very little jewelry.
July
Ruby
Ruby is the stone of the heart and of nerve, and it has been the most valued red stone in European jewelry for a thousand years.
A ruby and diamond cluster ring is a serious anniversary gift. Ask for the report on anything unusually large.
August
Peridot · Spinel · Sardonyx
Peridot is the stone of light and good humor, and August is the month where the alternates are genuinely worth considering.
Edwardian peridot and pearl pendants are charming and affordable; a red spinel is the connoisseur's choice.
September
Sapphire
Sapphire means fidelity and steadiness, and at 9 on the Mohs scale it is the colored stone best suited to daily wear.
A sapphire and diamond cluster is the most requested alternative engagement ring we sell.
October
Opal · Tourmaline
Opal stands for imagination and tourmaline for grounding, so October covers both the dreamer and the pragmatist.
An Art Nouveau or Edwardian opal pendant is beautiful, but tell the wearer it needs gentle handling.
November
Topaz · Citrine
Both November stones are warm and golden, which is why they read as generous rather than formal.
A big Retro citrine cocktail ring is a lot of presence for the money; imperial topaz is the rarer choice.
December
Turquoise · Tanzanite · Zircon
Turquoise has been a protective stone for millennia, tanzanite is a modern discovery, and blue zircon is the antique dealer's secret.
Victorian turquoise and pearl pieces are sentimental and very wearable, and they suit a first antique gift.
Choosing a birthstone ring or necklace
Rings take the most wear, so hardness matters: sapphire, ruby and diamond handle daily life, while opal, emerald, pearl and turquoise are happier in a pendant or in earrings. Necklaces are the safest choice when you do not know a ring size, and they suit almost every stone on the list.
Not sure yet
We will help you choose
Tell us the month, the budget and a little about who it is for. We will send back a short list from current stock, or show you the pieces live on a video call before you decide.
Common questions about birthstone jewelry
What is birthstone jewelry?
Birthstone jewelry is a piece set with the gemstone assigned to someone's birth month on the modern American birthstone list. It is worn as a personal marker rather than a formal one, which is why it works so well as a gift.
Why do some months have more than one birthstone?
The modern US list has been revised several times since 1912, usually to add a stone that was more available or more affordable. June, August, October, November and December all carry more than one recognized stone, and any of them is correct.
Is a vintage birthstone piece a good gift?
It is often the better gift. An antique or vintage piece is one of a kind, the cutting and setting were done by hand, and it costs less than a comparable new piece because you are not paying for a new manufacturing run.
Can you make a ring with a specific birthstone?
Yes. Our atelier makes new pieces to commission, and you can start from the design tool and tell us the stone, the month and the budget. That is the route to take when the month you need is not currently represented in stock.
Which birthstones need careful handling?
Pearl, opal, emerald, turquoise, coral and moonstone are all soft, porous or fragile in some way. They should never go in an ultrasonic cleaner and should be kept away from perfume, chlorine and heat. Our care guide sets out what each one needs.