Gemstone Gifting Guide: Matching Jewelry to Personalities and Birthstones
Buying jewelry, even for someone you love and know well, is a dodgy proposition. Jewelry is a very personal way of expressing yourself, so buying jewelry for someone else is not to be approached with anything but a plan!
For this gemstone gifting guide, we’re going to talk about matching gifts of colored gemstone jewelry to the personalities of recipients and their birthstones.
Ancient Origins
Believe it or not, the origin of the modern birthstone is found in an ancient piece of armor! Moses’s brother, Aaron (the first Levite priest), had a breastplate created, bearing 12 stones mounted in gold filigree representing the 12 Tribes of Israel.
While Aaron’s breastplate is the ancient template, today’s most widely used gemstone calendar stipulates the following birthstones for each month of the year:
January: Garnet
February: Amethyst
March: Aquamarine
April: Diamond
May: Emerald
June: Pearl
July: Ruby
August: Peridot
September: Sapphire
October: Opal
November: Topaz
December: Blue Topaz
So, while some of the stones on the breastplate are the same, they’re matched to different months in the birthstone calendar used today.
Gemstone Gifting Guide by Month and Birthstone
January
Looking for jewelry for someone born in January means appealing to a loving, faithful, loyal nature. Despite these laudable traits, January babies are also dedicated iconoclasts, eager to right the world’s wrongs. Garnet is the stone but the jewelry should feature clean, modern lines.
February
Amethyst is the purple of royalty, symbolizing serenity and an even-tempered approach to life. February’s children are honest but not brutally so. These regal examples of composure would love to have a piece of amethyst jewelry that expresses their calm, cool nature. Go for an old-fashioned setting.
March
Peace, love, and serenity are reflected in the cool blue tones of the aquamarine. The child of March is the child of spring — optimistic, lucky in love, and full of hope. Give this recipient a dreamy Boho piece. Macrame should definitely be involved, as this is the Eternal Hippie, broadcasting peace and love to the world.
April
Diamonds are the gemstone of eternity and endless love. April babies aren’t afraid to let their feelings show. If diamonds seem a little pricey, try a moissanite stone, which is even shinier — like the mysteriously romantic April baby — than a diamond!
May
Balance and steadfast loyalty are symbolized by the deep green emerald birthstone, bearing out in the character of May babies. Look for Celtic knots and heavier settings for the gift recipient born in May, as these people value what lasts a lifetime. Weighty, old-fashioned settings are most appreciated by May babies.
June
Believed by the Ancients to be the tears of heaven, pearls represent wisdom and purity. June babies are often known as practical, wise people with pure motives. These are people you can trust with your life. A classic string of pearls says everything you need to say!
July
The ruby’s rich red tones symbolize power and passion. July’s children draw you to them with their vitality and insatiable lust for life. A ruby given to a July baby is best expressed in a modern setting that’s as joyful and exuberant as the recipient.
August
Peridot’s fresh green color recalls new leaves. Symbolizing good fortune and wealth, its energy is that of the August baby, bursting with plans and ambitions. Gift peridot to an August baby in delicate, finely-wrought pieces that won’t weigh this superstar down!
September
Sapphire has been believed to deflect bad luck and evil for as long as humans have worn it. Children of this month are trustworthy, solid, and loyal but also spiritual. A sapphire gift for a September baby must impart a mystical truth. Check out your local spiritualist store for a sapphire amulet.
October
Wildly creative, October babies are always embroiled in a project that makes the world more beautiful. How fitting that the opal, with its translucent swirls of color in milky white, should be their birthstone! With no two alike, the opal reflects the individualism of October’s children. Go for an avant-garde, mold-breaking piece for this trailblazer.
November
Strength is symbolized by the topaz but it’s the strength of the willow — flexibility that bends but doesn’t break. The November baby is fair-minded and non-judgemental, allowing others their quirks. This live-and-let-live gift recipient would love a jewelry piece that reflects the strength inherent in flexibility.
December
Blue topaz is December’s birthstone, reflecting luck, friendship, and goodwill. The December baby is no different, dispensing goodwill toward all people. In the spirit of the season, December’s child is the fullness of a well-balanced human being. Balanced, contemporary jewelry pieces with elegant lines are what these guys love.
If you plan to give jewelry this year, make your gift even more personal by giving something meaningful. By matching your gift to the recipient’s birthstone, you have a window to their soul and a unique opportunity to gift a piece of gemstone jewelry they’ll wear and adore for the rest of their lives.
