Birthstone-guide

Derived from the Latin word for seed, granatum, the name is based on the red shade of a pomegranate seed. Though red is the most common color associated with garnet, it is certainly not the only one this gem is available in. Garnets are also found in an assortment of colors, such as yellow, orange, peach, green, purple, brown and pink.

What it Symbolises: Goodwill, happiness, and purpose.

Benefit: Believed to have healing and health potential.

The word for sober in ancient Greek, amethustos inspired the word amethyst. It was believed that an amethyst possessed the powers to reduce the effects of self-control. Amethyst ranges from deep purple to pastel pink.

What it Symbolises: Security, sincerity and peace of mind

Benefit: Believed to have spiritual qualities

The name Aquamarine is derived from the Latin word for aqua - water, and mare - sea because the color of this gem mirrors the beautiful blue hues of the earth's abundant waters. Aquamarine varies in color from deep blue to blue-greens.

What it Symbolises: Honesty and compassion

Benefit: Believed to have meditative qualities

The Greek words adamas meaning unbreakable and diaphanus for transparent were merged together to form the term diamond. The ancient Greeks thought that diamonds were minute fragments of stars. In Hinduism, they believed diamonds originated from bolts of lightning. Other than the traditional clear color, diamonds are available in blue, green, red, pink, and yellow.

What it Symbolises: Lasting love

Benefit: Believed to give invincibility

Emerald is derived from the Greek word smaragdos, referring to several types of green stones. Emeralds can range in color from light to very deep green. They are deemed to be very rare and extremely valuable.

What it Symbolises: Love and rebirth

Benefit: Believed to have curing properties

The Roman historian Pliny named moonstones and poetically wrote that the gem’s appearance shifted with the phases of the moon. Moonstone is associated with magic and lunar mystery. It is also known as the Traveller’s stone.

What it Symbolises: Nature

Benefit: Believed to be a connection to the Lunar Gods

The name Ruby comes from the Latin word for red, rubeus. In Asia, they were called the glowing stone or lamp stone. The most prized color is a medium or medium dark vivid red or slightly purplish red.

What it Symbolises: Health, wisdom and success

Benefit: Believed to be a foreteller

Derived from the Greek word for giving plenty, peridona. It is one of the oldest gemstones known to mankind, in ages past it was considered a symbol of the sun. It is one of the only gemstones that forms in only one color green. The shades of Peridot range from lime green to olive.

What it Symbolises: Truth and understanding

Benefit: Believed to increase strength in people

The name Sapphire is derived from the Latin word sapphirus which means blue. It was believed by Ancient Persians that the earth rested on a giant sapphire whose reflection gave the sky its beautiful blue color. Blue sapphires range from very light to dark greenish or violet shade blue along with pure blue shades.

What it Symbolises: Sincerity

Benefit: Believed to help cleanse energies

Derived from its name from the Latin opalus which means precious stone. Opals are mercurial in color so it is like capturing the colors of a rainbow in one stone. Amongst the various colors of opal, black is said to be the most valuable, followed by crystal, white and milky opals.

What it Symbolises: Calm

Benefit: Believed to attract positive energy

The name is derived from a French word citron, meaning lemon. The warm color of the gemstone is said to be a gift from the sun and it’s believed to be a healing gemstone. A variety of quartz, citrine ranges in colors from the most common yellow to red-brown.

What it Symbolises: Hope and health

Benefit: Believed to protect from evil thoughts

The name for the gemstone comes from Tanzania, the place where it was discovered in 1967. The gem is found at the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro. It is one of the most intriguing and popular blue gemstones available today.

What it Symbolises: Creativity

Benefit: Believed to recognize the inner strength