Birthstone jewellery guide: a gem for every month

Birthstone jewellery is one of the easiest gifts to get right, because the hardest decision is already made. Every month has its own stone, so once you know the month, you know the colour. This guide covers each month’s birthstone, what it looks like and where to find it in our birthstone jewellery collection.

Real stones and colour-matched stones

Some birthstone jewellery uses the genuine gemstone, and a lot of it uses crystal, zirconia or another stone in the same colour. That’s why birthstone pieces cover such a wide range of prices. Each product description tells you exactly which stone is used, so you always know what you’re buying.

January: garnet

Garnet is a deep, rich red. January pieces often use garnet-coloured stones such as red zirconia or crystal, and rose quartz is a softer pink alternative. Garnet is also one of the more affordable gemstones, so a real garnet piece is within reach. Look at Nomination’s January birthstone jewellery charms, or the Rachel Jackson garnet heart bracelet with matching earrings and ring.

February: amethyst

Amethyst is the purple stone, from pale lilac to deep violet. February is a good month for stacking, with Annie Haak violet crystal bracelets and Katie Loxton waterproof birthstone necklaces or bracelets both in the February collection. Sparkling Swarovski pieces in purple tones also make a fantastic February birthstone gift, like the Ariana Grande pieces.

March: aquamarine

Aquamarine has a clear blue colour that looks like the sea. Nomination makes an aquamarine charm in sterling silver and in 18k gold, and Boho Betty has an aquamarine slider bracelet. Sarah Alexander also has a stunning set of gold tone and aquamarine jewellery. Blue is easy to wear with most outfits, so it’s a safe choice if you’re not sure of someone’s style. Shop more March birthstone jewellery.

April: diamond

April’s birthstone is the diamond, and most April jewellery uses clear stones such as zirconia, white topaz and crystal. Sif Jakobs, Swarovski and Kit Heath all have pieces in our April birthstone jewellery collection. Clear stones go with every metal and every outfit, so these pieces are easy to wear every day.

May: emerald

Emerald is a vivid green. Alongside crystal and zirconia, our May birthstone jewellery includes the Formation Co Mohica necklace, which has a raw-cut emerald pendant, and Charlotte’s Web earrings set with green onyx. Green is a bold colour, so a single piece is enough to make a statement. For more ideas, see our guide to emerald green for May birthday gifts.

June: pearl, moonstone and alexandrite

June has several traditional stones, and pearl is the one most people think of first. Jersey Pearl and Formation Co both have freshwater pearl pieces, Katie Loxton makes waterproof pearl bracelets, and you’ll find moonstone too. Pearls work as well with jeans as with a dress, so they suit most wardrobes. Our pearl jewellery gift guide covers pearls in full, or browse June birthstone jewellery.

July: ruby

Ruby is a vivid red, linked with passion and vitality. Nomination makes a July ruby charm, D.Louise has a July birthstone necklace, and you’ll find red crystal pieces from Swarovski. Red is a strong colour, so a small piece such as a charm or a pair of studs goes a long way. Take a look at July birthstone jewellery.

August: peridot

Peridot is a bright, fresh green. Many August pieces use other green stones too, including aventurine, green opal and green crystal. Coeur De Lion’s aventurine necklaces and Katie Loxton’s waterproof August bracelets are good places to start in our August birthstone jewellery. Green looks particularly good against gold, so the gold pieces are worth a look if you’re buying for someone who wears it.

September: sapphire

Sapphire is a rich blue, associated with wisdom and loyalty. Our September birthstone jewellery also includes lapis lazuli and kyanite, such as the Jersey Pearl Noma bracelet in lapis, alongside Nomination’s sapphire charm and the Amelia Scott Nova North Star necklace with a sapphire blue zirconia pendant. Blue is a calm, versatile colour, which makes September pieces an easy gift. Our spotlight on blue gemstone jewellery has more blue stone ideas.

October: opal and pink tourmaline

Opal is known for its colourful play of light, while pink tourmaline brings rosy tones. Boho Betty has a gold and tourmaline stretch bracelet, and Nomination makes a white opal charm. October lets you choose between a soft pink and a stone that shifts with the light, so think about which suits the person. Browse all October birthstone jewellery.

November: topaz and citrine

Both stones have warm golden tones. Our November birthstone jewellery includes Rachel Jackson’s citrine bracelet, Nomination’s citrine charm and Sif Jakobs pieces with champagne zirconia. Warm golden tones suit gold jewellery and bring some colour to the darker months.

December: turquoise, tanzanite and blue zircon

December’s stones all sit in the blue range, and turquoise is the one you’ll see most. Scream Pretty has huggie hoops with turquoise stones, Annie Haak has turquoise beaded bracelets and Charlotte’s Web has a gold turquoise necklace. Turquoise stands out against winter coats and knitwear, which makes it a good Christmas gift too. Shop December birthstone jewellery.

Choosing the right style

For a gift that grows. Nomination birthstone charms start from £39 in sterling silver and from £79 in 18k gold, and they add to a bracelet they may already own. Our guide to building a Nomination charm bracelet shows how it works.

For everyday wear. Katie Loxton and D.Louise both make birthstone pieces in waterproof gold, so they can stay on in the shower or the pool.

For a smaller budget. Jersey Pearl’s Noma bracelets start from £19 and come in stones including lapis, turquoise and malachite.

For something special. Swarovski crystal pieces in the colour of the month make a bigger gift, and Clogau has pieces in the July and October collections.

Birthstone jewellery questions

Which stone is mine if my month has more than one? June, October, November and December all have several traditional stones. Choose whichever colour you like best, because none of them is more correct than the others.

Is birthstone jewellery always made with the real stone? No. Some pieces use the genuine stone and many use crystal, zirconia or similar stones in the same colour. The product description says which.

Still deciding? Our Gift Finder has has ideas by recipient and occasion.