The best gifts (including a present for yourself), have some kind of personal meaning to them. An easy way of adding that significance is by choosing a gemstone that represents something special or specific to your person. For instance- birthstones! Picking a gem that represents the month they were born is always an easy, but thoughtful, selection. I will break down the birthstones by month, the meaning that each of the gems has associated with it, plus the color of each stone… and I will even throw in the zodiac sign(s) best associated with these stones for added funsies (if you’re into that). There are so many great reasons for choosing a particular gem for someone, but you only need one good connection for it to become a very special gift!
Gemstones (birthstones by month, meaning, color, & zodiac sign)
January
Garnet
Meaning: It was long been believed that this stone would protect their wearer from any harm, which is why it has been so popular with both nobility and warriors throughout the ages. The modern representation for garnet is love, passion, and happiness.
Color: Shades of red and green are most common, but yellows and browns are also possible.
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius (Jan 20- Feb 18)
February
Amethyst
Meaning: Amethyst is actually one of the world’s most popular gemstones. In ancient times this gem was thought to be able to purify the body from all of its toxins. Today amethyst is believed to protect the wearer against negative energy, while bringing calmness and clarity to the mind.
Color: Reddish Purple to Purple
Zodiac Sign: Pisces (Feb 19- Mar 20)
March
Aquamarine
Meaning: Quite literally means the color of the sea (aqua= water, marina= sea). Most find the symbolism of this stone to represent clear communication, but it also brings protection to those who travel near water.
Color: Greenish Blue to Blue
Zodiac Sign: Pisces (Feb 19- Mar 20)
Bloodstone
Meaning: The legend of bloodstone is that it formed during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, when his red blood hit the green earth… but it was treasured long before then as a stone of good health and long life. Today it is thought that this gem brings the wearer courage and wisdom.
Color: This is a dark green stone with small red spots scattered throughout.
Zodiac Sign: Aries (Mar 21- Apr 19)
April
Diamond
Meaning: Today we associate the diamond with a promise of commitment because of the popularity of diamond engagement rings, but beyond that- this gem is known for purity, strength, and invincibility.
Color: Almost always colorless but can be found in nearly every color, including black.
Zodiac Sign: Aries (Mar 21- Apr 19)
May
Emerald
Meaning: Emerald was once widely believed to be a source of eternal life, but also a reflection of peace, fertility, healing, plus many other things, dating all the way back to Cleopatra’s days. Today we associate this stone with foresight, wit, and eloquence.
Color: Can range from yellow-green to blue-green with the best stones having vivid color and saturation.
Zodiac Sign: Taurus (Apr 20- May 20), Cancer (Jun 22- Jul 22)
June
Pearl
Meaning: Across many cultures and throughout time, the pearl has been represented in legends, myths, and folklore. For us, the common theme is that pearls are calming, and support in loyalty, integrity, and purity.
Color: Often found in white or cream, with a possible iridescence overlay (called orient). These can come in black, silver, or gray - with other colors being rarer but also possible.
Zodiac Sign: Gemini (May 21- Jun 21)
Moonstone
Meaning: Moonstone is known for having a mysterious aura because of how it looks. Feminism, balance, and intuition are all represented by this mystifying gem.
Color: The finest moonstone will be colorless to whiteish (transparent to translucent), with a blue or silvery sheen that billows across the stone when it’s rocked; can also be found in yellows, oranges, and even green.
Zodiac Sign: Gemini (May 21- Jun 21)
Alexandrite
Meaning: This gemstone is special because it will actually change colors when under different light sources. Alexandrite symbolizes love, passion, good fortune, and will attract overall good luck.
Color: Changes from greenish-blue to blue green in daylight, into brownish to purplish red in incandescent light.
Zodiac Sign: Gemini (May 21- Jun 21)
July
Ruby
Meaning: The ruby has been a beloved gemstone for ages- so no surprise it has an association with the acquisition of power and wealth… as well as love, desire, and emotion influenced by ruby’s passionate color.
Color: Can range from purple red to orangey-red to brownish-red, with the best stones having a vivid color and saturation.
Zodiac Sign: Cancer (Jun 22- Jul 22)
August
Peridot
Meaning: Peridot is known as the stone of compassion- bringing good health, harmony, and peacefulness to those who wear it.
Color: Ranges in saturation and intensity of pure green, yellowish green, greenish yellow, or brownish green.
Zodiac Sign: Leo (Jul 23- Aug 22)
Sardonyx
Meaning: This gemstone has been used since ancient times as a stone of strength and protection. Today we also associate sardonyx with bringing clear communication, as well as joy and happiness to the wearer.
Color: Alternating bands (or horizontal layers) of reddish brown and white coloring.
Zodiac Sign: Virgo (Aug 23- Sept 22)
Spinel
Meaning: Spinel is great for bringing fresh energy to a person… it is also a stone of revitalization, hope, and that feeling of joy and excitement that just being alive gives.
Color: Available in almost every color.
Zodiac Sign: Virgo (Aug 23- Sept 22)
September
Sapphire
Meaning: Another one of our beloved gemstones that have been around for centuries- sapphires have been seen as a symbol of the heavens or being of divine nature. This gem helps to calm the mind and is symbolic of integrity and wisdom.
Color: Sapphires are blue to a violetish blue; fancy colored sapphires come in almost every other color- like purple, green, yellow etc. (except red because a red sapphire is a ruby!).
Zodiac Sign: Virgo (Aug 23- Sept 22), Taurus (Apr 20- May 20)
October
Opal
Meaning: This gem is associated with purity, hope, and truth… and because it can have this flash of color when rocked back and forth- opal is thought to be mystical as well.
Color: This is based on the bodycolor of an opal; most commonly found in white, black, or blue, but can be most other colors as well. These gems might display a full on rainbow iridescence or an individual color flash across the body of the stone… and some opals show no phenomena at all.
Zodiac Sign: Libra (Sept 23- Oct 22)
(Pink) Tourmaline
Meaning: Wisdom, compassion, a love of humanity, sympathy towards others, and basically all the virtues of unconditional love are represented with this gem.
Color: Tourmaline comes in every color, but pink is special to our October babies.
Zodiac Sign: Libra (Sept 23- Oct 22)
November
Topaz
Meaning: Symbolized by this stone is high self-esteem, strength, and good fortune. Topaz is also known for passion, love, and purpose.
Color: Almost every color is possible.
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio (Oct 23- Nov 21), Sagittarius (Nov 22- Dec 21)
Citrine Quartz
Meaning: This gemstone is a cheery one full of joy, optimism, and positivity- bringing a vibrant flow to the wearer’s life.
Color: Light yellow to a dark reddish orange, often golden in color.
Zodiac Sign: Virgo (Aug 23- Sept 22), Gemini (May 21- Jun 21)
December
Turquoise
Meaning: Turquoise has long been worn as a protective talisman, which is still strongly associated with the stone today. Along with protection- tranquility and wisdom are also brought to wearers of this gem.
Color: Can range from green to blue and can be found with or without matrix (those dark vein-like markings).
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius (Nov 22- Dec 21), Aquarius (Jan 20- Feb 18)
(Blue) Zircon
Meaning: The benefits of blue zircon are increased concentration, a clear mind, and a promotion of inner peace and stability. This gem is also thought to help bring about riches, wisdom, and honor.
Color: Can come in an array of colors, but for December we like bright blue.
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius (Nov 22- Dec 21)
Tanzanite
Meaning: Tanzanite is a relatively new gem in the world of gemstones. With that in mind, it is associated with new beginnings, transformations, and good luck. This is also a great choice to give new mothers because of transformative symbolism.
Color: Violet Blue to Blue Violet
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn (Dec 22- Jan 19)
Looking for a thoughtful gift? I literally just made it so easy for you with the most inclusive gemstone meaning, gift giving guide in the world!! …or maybe not but it’s pretty close. Whether it is the birth month associated with the stone, the personal meaning of the gem itself, the favorite color of the person, or the zodiac sign match up- there are so many easy (but considerate) ways to personalize a gemstone gift. As they say, it is not the gift- but the thought that counts… which means this one is about to be an instant favorite!
