Gemstones, Meanings & Birthstones

A favorite color. A birthday. A reminder of someone you love. A gemstone can make a piece feel personal before you know its name. Start with the color that draws you in, then learn what makes that stone right for the way you will wear it.

Color with a story

Gemstone symbolism comes from folklore, cultural traditions, and personal associations. Meanings vary across places and generations; they are stories to enjoy, not promises of healing, protection, or changes to your health or fortune. The meaning you give your jewelry can be the most lasting one.

Ruby & sapphire

Ruby's red has long been connected with love and passion. Sapphire carries traditions of loyalty and sincerity. Both belong to the corundum family, although sapphire comes in many colors beyond blue. At 9 on the Mohs scale, these are strong candidates for frequently worn rings when the individual stone and any treatments are suitable. A durable gem still needs a secure setting and protection from hard knocks.

Emerald & aquamarine

Emerald's green has a romantic history, including associations with Venus and enduring love. Aquamarine's sea-colored blue inspired old stories about safe voyages and happy marriages. They are both varieties of beryl, but their care needs can differ. Emerald commonly has surface-reaching fractures and clarity-enhancing fillers, so it deserves a gentler routine than ruby or sapphire.

Amethyst & citrine

Purple amethyst and yellow-to-orange citrine are varieties of quartz. Ancient amethyst lore centered on a clear head; citrine later became associated with prosperity. Choose these stories as a personal reminder, rather than an expected result. Most citrine offered today gets its color by heating amethyst. That treatment should be explained when you compare stones.

Garnet & peridot

Garnet offers much more than deep red: this mineral group includes vivid green and orange varieties. Peridot has a naturally yellowish green palette and an ancient Egyptian connection with the sun. Either can be a lovely way to choose a color outside the familiar. Ask about the specific garnet variety, because one family name does not describe every stone's properties.

Opal & tourmaline

Opal's shifting flashes have inspired stories for centuries, from Roman admiration to tales of lightning. Tourmaline offers an especially broad range of colors, including stones with more than one color in a single crystal. Let the actual gem lead the choice: turn it in the light, look at its pattern, and notice whether you still love it away from the display case.

Pearl & tanzanite

Pearls form in mollusks; cultured pearls grow with human assistance and are distinct from imitation pearls. Their soft luster gives a different feel from a faceted gem. Blue-violet tanzanite is a variety of zoisite from northern Tanzania. Both reward thoughtful wear. A pendant or earrings can suit a delicate gem beautifully when a ring would face too many knocks.

Your month, your color

A birthstone can mark your birthday, a child's arrival, or the people in your family. This familiar U.S. birthstone list follows the American Gem Society; lists and traditions can differ. Some months give you several choices, and you are welcome to love a stone outside your own month.

January

Garnet

February

Amethyst

March

Aquamarine or bloodstone

April

Diamond

May

Emerald

June

Pearl, alexandrite, or moonstone

July

Ruby

August

Peridot, spinel, or sardonyx

September

Sapphire

October

Opal or tourmaline

November

Topaz or citrine

December

Tanzanite, zircon, or turquoise

For April, explore our diamond guide. A zircon birthstone is a distinct gem; it is not cubic zirconia. Topaz is also a different mineral from citrine, even when their colors look similar.

Choose for your life as well as your eye

Compare color in daylight and indoor lighting, then look at the stone's brightness, visible inclusions, and dimensions. Carats measure weight; millimeters help describe how large the gem will look. Two different gem materials can have different weights at a similar size.

Tell us whether you are planning an everyday ring or a piece for special occasions. Hardness measures scratch resistance. Toughness concerns resistance to breaking, and stability concerns heat, light, and chemicals. A high hardness number alone cannot guarantee durability. Topaz, for example, ranks 8 but has cleavage that can make a sharp blow damaging. The setting and the condition of the particular gem matter, too.

Know what you are choosing

Natural describes a gem formed in nature; it does not automatically mean untreated. Laboratory-created or synthetic describes material grown by people that has essentially the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as its natural counterpart. An imitation resembles another gem but is a different material. A laboratory-created sapphire should be identified as laboratory-created sapphire throughout your purchase documents.

Common treatments include heat to alter color, oil or resin to improve the appearance of fractures in emerald, and irradiation to change some gemstone colors. Many blue topaz gems owe their color to treatment. Treatments may affect value, durability, and cleaning, and some need ongoing care. Ask what has been done to your particular stone and request those details in writing. For a significant purchase, discuss whether an independent gemological report is appropriate; do not assume every treatment is visible to the eye.

A few habits that make a difference

• Remove jewelry before workouts, gardening, swimming, and household cleaning. Store pieces separately so harder stones do not scratch softer ones.
• Keep gems away from harsh chemicals, excessive heat, and sudden temperature changes. Prolonged strong light can fade some stones, including amethyst.
• For many colored gems, warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush work well. Identify the material and its treatments first. Filled or dyed ruby may need only a damp cloth; a generic cleaning method is not safe for every treatment.
• Keep emerald, opal, pearl, turquoise, tanzanite, and other sensitive or treated gems out of home ultrasonic and steam cleaners. Ask our team before using a machine on any gemstone piece.
• Wipe pearls gently with a soft cloth after wear. Put them on after cosmetics and perfume, and allow wet strung pearls to dry flat before handling.
• If a stone feels loose, stop wearing the piece and have its setting checked. Bring unfamiliar or inherited jewelry in before trying a cleaning method.