The Ultimate Birthstone Guide

Throughout history, Garnet has been associated with numerous meanings and beliefs. In ancient times, it was thought to possess healing powers that could cure ailments of the heart and blood. Today, it symbolizes peace, health, and friendship. Interestingly, some varieties of Garnet are even used as abrasives for cutting through steel.

According to ancient Greek mythology, the god Dionysus was the first to discover this gemstone. Amethysts range in shades of purple, red, and blue, with their color intensity determined by the amount of iron and manganese present in the stone. Scoring a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, Amethyst symbolizes peace, focus, and courage. The most valuable specimens display a deep purple hue with red flashes.

Jasper is a dense, opaque form of chalcedony found in many colors, including brown, red, yellow, green, and orange. Known as the “nurturing stone,” Jasper is believed to possess spiritual and healing properties and ranks 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale. Used in jewelry and decorative items for centuries, Jasper is found all over the world.

Valued for its clarity and transparency, Aquamarine is a popular choice for jewelry and decorative pieces. Most commonly found in Brazil, it ranks between 7.5 and 8 on the Mohs hardness scale. Throughout history, Aquamarine has been associated with protecting sailors, healing ailments, and symbolizing happiness, hope, and eternal youth. Today, it remains a cherished gemstone both for its beauty and its calming, spiritual qualities.

Bloodstone has long been associated with courage, strength, and vitality. In ancient folklore, it was also believed to grant clairvoyance and preserve health. Ranking a 7 on the Mohs scale, Bloodstone continues to be valued for both its unique look and symbolic energy, making it an excellent choice for jewelry or decorative pieces.

Formed from pure carbon deep within the Earth’s mantle, diamonds can be colorless or appear in shades of yellow, brown, pink, or blue. Their value is determined by the “Four Cs”: cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. Beyond their beauty, diamonds are also believed to enhance relationships, promote mental clarity, and inspire confidence.

Emeralds form deep within the Earth and are commonly found in Colombia, Brazil, and Zambia. Ancient civilizations believed emeralds could bring good luck, enhance creativity, and soothe the soul — they were even said to be Cleopatra’s favorite gemstone. Today, emeralds are associated with balance, harmony, and abundance, symbolizing renewal and growth.

Ranking between 6.5 and 7 on the Mohs scale, it appears in various shades of gray, white, brown, and other earthy tones. Agate has been used in jewelry and decorative art for thousands of years and remains popular today for its natural beauty and symbolic meaning. Believed to promote inner stability, strength, and balance, Agate is also said to enhance mental clarity, focus, and self-confidence.

Pearls come in a variety of colors — including white, black, pink, and golden — and are prized for their luster and iridescence. Ranking only 2.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, pearls are among the most delicate gemstones and require gentle care. They are often associated with purity, innocence, and elegance and are believed to symbolize calmness, inner wisdom, and emotional balance.

Alexandrite appears green or bluish-green in daylight and shifts to reddish-purple under incandescent light. Found in limited quantities in Russia, Sri Lanka, and Brazil, this chrysoberyl mineral ranks 8.5 on the Mohs scale. Its rarity, durability, and dramatic color shift make it a prized gem in fine jewelry. Spiritually, Alexandrite is believed to enhance intuition, inspire creativity, and bring balance between the physical and spiritual worlds.

A variety of feldspar, Moonstone occurs in a range of colors and ranks 6–6.5 on the Mohs scale. Ancient civilizations associated it with lunar goddesses and believed it symbolized feminine energy, calmness, and fertility. Moonstone is thought to promote emotional balance, enhance creativity, and encourage inner growth, drawing strength from the lunar cycle itself.

Rubies range in hue from deep red to shades with blue, pink, or purplish undertones. Like diamonds, their value is determined by color, clarity, carat weight, and cut. Ranking 9 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, rubies are among the hardest gemstones after diamonds. Historically, they were believed to protect wearers from harm, bring good fortune, and symbolize love and passion. Today, rubies remain a popular choice in fine jewelry and are thought to promote vitality and self-confidence.

According to Greek mythology, Cupid clipped the fingernails of the goddess Venus, and the gods turned those clippings into stone — thus creating Onyx. Ranking 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale, Onyx is a variety of chalcedony found in countries such as Brazil, India, and the United States. It is believed to promote strength, focus, and protection against negative energy, as well as to help heal emotional wounds and heartbreak.

Found in countries such as India, Brazil, and the United States, Sardonyx was historically believed to bring courage, strength, and protection to its wearer. It was also used for wax seals and worn as a talisman to ward off negative energy. With a hardness of 6.5 on the Mohs scale, Sardonyx is associated with promoting courage, self-control, and motivation.

Found in Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Myanmar, it is prized for its brilliance and durability, ranking 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale. The most valuable Spinels feature vivid red or pink hues and are often used as an affordable alternative to ruby. Spiritually, Spinel is believed to enhance vitality, encourage positive energy, and promote peace and calm.

Ancient civilizations believed Peridot could ward off evil spirits and protect against nightmares. It has also long symbolized strength, courage, and abundance. Some historians even suggest that Cleopatra’s famed “emeralds” may have actually been Peridots. Today, it is cherished for its associations with positivity, happiness, and confidence.

It is one of the four precious gemstones and among the hardest, ranking 9 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. Throughout history, Sapphires have symbolized power, wisdom, and royalty — most famously seen in Princess Diana’s iconic sapphire engagement ring. Spiritually, this gemstone is believed to promote peace, clarity, and emotional balance.

Ranking between 5 and 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, the most prized opals are those with bright, vivid hues, often referred to as “fire.” Throughout history, various cultures have attributed special powers to Opal, believing it could bring good luck, protect against harm, and symbolize hope and purity. Today, it is also thought to promote creativity, spontaneity, and emotional healing.

Tourmaline can appear in shades of pink, green, blue, yellow, and black, with some stones displaying multiple hues. One notable variety, Watermelon Tourmaline, exhibits green and reddish-pink tones resembling the fruit it’s named after. Known for its unique optical properties, Tourmaline can even become electrically charged when heated or rubbed. Ranking 7–7.5 on the Mohs scale, it is believed to enhance self-confidence, creativity, health, and emotional protection.

Formed deep within the Earth’s crust under intense heat and pressure, Topaz is discovered worldwide, with significant deposits in Utah, USA. It is among the most durable gemstones, ranking 8 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. Throughout history, Topaz has been associated with strength, healing, and good fortune. Fun fact: the largest faceted gemstone ever discovered is the “El Dorado Topaz,” weighing an incredible 31,000 carats.

A variety of quartz, it is the second most abundant mineral on Earth and is found in Brazil, Madagascar, and the United States. Ranking 7 on the Mohs scale, Citrine gained immense popularity in the 1920s and 1930s after actress Greta Garbo was revealed to have a notable collection of Citrine jewelry. Known as the “money stone” in ancient times, Citrine symbolizes positivity, abundance, and creativity and was believed to attract wealth and success.

Found only in the Mererani Hills of northern Tanzania, Tanzanite derives its name from its country of origin. Due to its limited supply and increasing demand, it is considered one of the world’s rarest gemstones. Tanzanite is believed to promote wisdom, insight, and spiritual enlightenment. Ranking between 6 and 7 on the Mohs scale, it remains a popular choice for engagement rings and other fine jewelry pieces.

Interestingly, the color “turquoise” was named after the gemstone itself. The vein-like markings found on some stones, known as the “matrix,” can affect their value. Revered by many cultures, Turquoise was used by ancient Egyptians to adorn royal tombs and by Native American tribes as a symbol of protection, healing, and good fortune.

Ranking between 6 and 7.5 on the Mohs scale, Zircon is admired for its exceptional brilliance and fire, often rivaling that of a diamond. In the Middle Ages, it was believed to ward off evil spirits, bring honor, and encourage wisdom. Remarkably, traces of Zircon have been found in lunar rocks and even believed to exist on the sun.

Blue Topaz is commonly found in Brazil, Sri Lanka, and Nigeria, and its cool, serene hue symbolizes clarity, communication, and emotional balance. Spiritually, it is said to promote truth, wisdom, and peaceful energy, making it a meaningful choice for jewelry that celebrates calm and connection.

With professional stone sourcing, setting, and polishing, our team blends artistry with advanced technology to preserve each piece’s brilliance and meaning. All repairs are completed in our state-of-the-art facilities and delivered nationwide through our secure mail-in service—because your jewelry deserves to shine as brightly as the memories it holds.

We have a variety of options in our catalog of gemstone services including:

• Gemstone Replacement
• Gemstone Resetting
• Invisible (Mystery) Setting
• Prong Replacement
• Prong Retipping