What is the birthstone for January?
The January birthstone is traditionally the Garnet, which is known as a deep red gem, but the more contemporary styles can also appear in dark pink, yellow, orange and green. A garnet symbolises friendship, power and happiness – revered for its glowing hues, garnet birthstone jewellery is the perfect winter pick-me-up for a January birthday.
Garnet Jewellery
Garnet jewellery dates back to early Egyptian, Greek and Roman times. The Ancient Greeks favoured massive gold rings set with garnets that were wider than the finger. Perhaps the most famous garnet is known as the "Wise One", which was set into the crown of the German emperor Otto (912AD to 973AD). In the 18th century, garnets were mounted onto simple hoops which are thought to be forerunners of the eternity ring.
Garnet is notable for its prominence in Victorian jewellery, where it was crafted as roses or fashioned into a dome shape, known as a carbuncle. With the recent revival of antique-style jewellery, garnet is prevalent today in the reproduction of Victorian jewellery. At Fraser Hart, we have a stunning range of January birthstone jewellery, including garnet rings, pendants and earrings accented with diamonds to beautifully complement the stone's radiance.
What is the birthstone for February?
The February birthstone is amethyst, a variety of quartz, this beautiful gem is always a violet in hue, its colour ranges from the palest lilac to the deepest purple. An amethyst birthstone symbolises peace, protection and tranquility, with a fascinating history and precious features, this gemstone is a must-have centrepiece for both statement and everyday jewellery.
Amethyst Jewellery
Amethyst has a 4,500 year-old history, and ancient items of amethyst jewellery are still in existence. These include a stunning amethyst necklace made by ancient Egyptian goldsmiths and a necklace said to belong to a Mycenaean princess 3,400 years ago. Victorian jewellery favoured amethysts set in gold and surrounded by pearls. With its timeless purple beauty and intriguing history, the appeal of amethyst jewellery has never waned. At Fraser Hart, we have an exquisite range of amethyst rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets and charms so, whatever her style, you’re sure to find something she’ll love in our amethyst birthstone jewellery collection.
What is the birthstone for March?
March’s birthstone is aquamarine, a member of the beryl family of minerals, this gorgeous stone occurs in sky blue, sea green and dark blue. An aquamarine birthstone symbolises youth, hope and health – this is the ideal stone to celebrate the start of spring.
Aquamarine Jewellery
During Roman times, aquamarine was used in fantastic jewellery designs to represent marine gods but the gem became truly popular in the 17th century. At the start of the Victorian era, jewellery featured intricate relief designs of foliage and scrolls, which were often set with this glorious stone. Today, aquamarine in jewellery is often faceted to maximise its transparent blue tones. You’ll find a fabulous selection of aquamarine rings, pendants, and earrings at Fraser Hart in our March birthstone jewellery collection.
What is the birthstone for April?
The April birthstone is diamond – with no gemstone as pure, valuable or as beautiful as the diamond, April’s stone is a favourite amongst many. Whilst diamonds are most commonly found in white, they also exist in a rainbow spectrum of colours, including green, yellow, pink and red. Symbolising purity, innocence and harmony, the meaning of April’s birthstone is as beautiful as it looks – which means those lucky enough to be born in April get treated to the most highly prized and stunning gemstone.
Diamond Jewellery
Enduring, romantic and magical, diamonds have been revered in jewellery for centuries. Perhaps the most famous example of diamond jewellery is the diamond ring presented to Mary of Burgundy by Archduke Maximillian of Austria in 1477 as a promise of love. Today, this much sought-after gem graces a whole range of jewellery, including diamond pendants, necklaces, earrings and bracelets. And the good news is you don’t have to spend a fortune to find a beautiful piece of diamond jewellery. At Fraser Hart, we have a fabulous range of diamond jewellery and we’ve put together a selection of diamond birthstone jewellery that will make the perfect gift for any woman born in April. Read our Diamond Guide to find out more about diamonds and choosing the right diamond jewellery.
What is the birthstone for May?
The May birthstone is the emerald, which is the greenest of green gems. Emeralds are one of the most treasured precious and prized stones of all green gemstones, their luscious colour, combined with its rarity makes it a highly desirable stone. The emerald birthstone is a symbol of loyalty, friendship and success, making its meaning just as beautiful as the stone itself, and making it the perfect gift for a friend whose birthday lands on the month of May.
Emerald Jewellery
Most emeralds used in historical jewellery came from Cleopatra’s mines in Egypt, and the Ancients used to engrave emeralds as ring stones. In Roman times, emeralds were added to other precious stones to create a spectacular effect. A magnificent necklace set with emeralds and brilliant cut diamonds with matching earrings forms part of the Russian jewels of the 18th century. The emerald gave rise to the emerald cut, which is now used to cut many gemstones, including diamonds. A step cut with the corners removed, the cut produces the optimum size of gem-quality emerald and reduces the risk of damage during setting. Today, emeralds are often set among a cluster of diamonds. At Fraser Hart, we have a sumptuous range of emerald birthstone jewellery in classic styles that will never date and modern designs that everyone is guaranteed to adore.
What is the birthstone for June?
The birthstone of June is the pearl – the epitome of style and grace. Each alluring pearl is a unique work of art taking years to form, generated within molluscs such as oysters and mussels as a natural defence against irritants like sand or grit entering the shell.
Pearl birthstones represent modesty, chastity and purity, making the stone as beautiful as the way they are formed. Those born in June get to receive the ultimate gift from the sea – a stone like no other.
Pearl Jewellery
In the Roman era, pearls from the Red Sea were used in chandelier-type earrings. With the Renaissance, women would let their hair flow loosely, entwined with strings of pearls. In the middle of the 19th century, seed pearl jewellery was very prominent. Towards the end of the century, half pearls set in gold were evident in flower designs and today, pearl jewellery is favoured in wedding jewellery and has also made a huge comeback in everyday jewellery.
At Fraser Hart, we have an elegant range of June birthstone jewellery, featuring iridescent pearls set into earrings, pendants, necklaces, rings and bracelets.
What is the birthstone for July?
The birthstone of July is the ruby, which occur in colours from pale rose red to the deepest carmine. The most popular coloured ruby is the well-known deep vivid red which gives a classic, must-have look. Ruby birthstones symbolise love and devotion and offer a radiating warmth and vitality like no other. The magnificent ruby has historically been a firm favourite and continues to be a popular stone amongst jewellery wearers now.
Ruby Jewellery
Among the Crown Jewels of France that survived the French Revolution are the rubies of the Royal Collection which were redesigned and set with diamonds in 1816. Early Victorian jewellery was renowned for its gothic influence, and this can be seen in heavy gold necklaces set with stunning rubies. Historically, the ruby has been chosen by kings and emperors for their coronation rings, and there is a glorious central ruby in the Imperial State Crown.
Today, modern jewellery designers use carved rubies to give a rich effect to the finished piece and often combine them with diamonds to create a sparkling cluster. Here at Fraser Hart, we have a gorgeous selection of July birthstone jewellery, including ruby rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
What is the birthstone for August?
The August birthstone is the peridot, a gorgeous green gem that belongs to the olivine mineral family. Although it is one of the very few gemstones found in only one colour, it does have tones that vary from yellow-green to olive green. Formed deep inside the earth and brought to surface by volcanic action, these gems symbolise gladness, serenity and trust, showcasing the strong meaning and fascinating origin of the peridot birthstone .
Peridot in Jewellery
In the early 19th century, women favoured long chandelier-style earrings with peridot set into gold. In Victorian times, the peridot was strangely featured in the design of a housefly – the creature’s wings were set with rose-cut diamonds while peridot was used to create the body. In today’s peridot jewellery, a step cut is often used to maximise the stone’s brilliance and lustre. The peridot is enjoying a revival and at Fraser Hart, you’ll find a fabulous
What is the birthstone for September?
The September birthstone is the sapphire – a gem favoured by many royals due its majestic appearance. A sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum, while this beautiful stone is admired mostly for its distinct blue colour, it is actually found in array of different tones, from pink, white, purple, green and more. Symbolising charm and enduring love, the sapphire birthstone has both breathtaking appeal and meaning.
Sapphire Jewellery
The sapphire has always held a place of honour in royal regalia and the church. Two sapphires are set into the Imperial State Crown. A 6th century pope decreed that cardinals should wear a sapphire ring on their right hand. A secret signal that Queen Elizabeth I had passed was a sapphire ring being dropped from a window of Richmond Palace and. P perhaps the most famed piece of sapphire jewellery is the stunning engagement ring presented by Prince Charles to Diana Spencer in 1981.
The ring is believed to feature a Ceylon sapphire weighing 12 carats. When the ring was passed on to Kate Middleton, now the Princess of Wales Duchess of Cambridge, on her engagement to Prince William, there was a huge rise in the popularity of sapphire rings and sapphire jewellery which still remains today.
What is the birthstone for October?
The October birthstone is the opal – the most prized and beautiful of the silica gemstones, and one of the few gems that is non-crystalline. The iridescent flashes of colour seen within the gem change with the angle which the stone is viewed from, the play of colour is a result of its structure – a regular arrangement of tiny silica spheres that diffract light. An opal birthstone symbolises hope, faith and good fortune making it an exquisite gift for those born in October.
Opal Jewellery
The opal was the favoured gemstone of Queen Victoria. Russian jewellers used the natural lights and colours of the gem to carve exquisite animal pieces which are now part of the Royal collection of jewels at Sandringham House.
Today, opal is usually a domed shape, which maximises its fantastic play of colour, although the fire oval is often faceted to showcase its radiant transparency. Take a look at our collection of October birthstone jewellery and choose the piece that captures your heart.
What is the birthstone for November?
The birthstone of November is topaz, a mineral crystal which can be found in a beautiful range of colours, including deep golden yellow, pale brown, white, red, pink and blue. A topaz birthstone symbolises faithfulness, friendship and loyalty, which makes the popular topaz stone a go-to for birthday gifts.
Topaz Jewellery
The love affair with topaz jewellery began many centuries ago. Hadrian, the Roman Emperor, owned an ancient ring set with a topaz inscribed with a prophecy guaranteeing the wearer good luck. In the early 18th century, collar-style necklaces were adorned with pendants of topaz ribbons and flowers. Topaz was also extremely popular among Victorian women who combined the pink variety of the stone with other colourful gems in decorative settings of scallop shells, flowers and leaves.
Today, topaz is one of the most fashionable stones, and blue topaz is particularly prevalent in jewellery. At Fraser Hart, you’ll find a stunning collection of November birthstone jewellery including blue topaz rings, pendants and earrings in classic and contemporary styles.
What is the birthstone for December?
The December birthstone is turquoise, an ancient gem which has been highly prized for its intense colour. Turquoise is a mineral substance which ranges from sky blue, china blue, blue green and yellow-green, the colour is affected by the impurities within the stone. A turquoise birthstone represents prosperity, good fortune and happiness – this beautiful meaning and appearance is what makes it adored amongst many today.
Turquoise Jewellery
Perhaps the oldest pieces of gemstone jewellery in existence are gold serpent bracelets set with turquoise - found in 1900 within one of the tombs of the pharaohs, these bracelets were thought to date back to 3,500 BC.
Despite being used in jewellery for thousands of years, turquoise has a timeless quality and turquoise jewellery is as fashionable today as it was all those years ago. The stone is usually cut and polished into cabochons which optimise the opacity of the gem.
