Meaning
Each stone carries associations shaped by culture, mythology and tradition.
Birthstones by month
A SuhaniMara guide to the stones of each month.
Each month carries its own story told through gemstones that have fascinated cultures for centuries. From the deep crimson of January’s Garnet to the tranquil blues of December’s Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon, these stones are more than adornment, they are fragments of the earth’s artistry, shaped by time and tradition.
At SuhaniMara, we celebrate these natural treasures for their beauty, history, and individuality. Explore the meaning, origin, and unique qualities behind each month’s birthstones, and discover the timeless connection between nature, craftsmanship, and personal expression.
Nature
Meaning
Craft
Story
How to use this guide
Choose a month. Discover the story behind its stone.
Birthstones can be read as colour, history, personal symbolism or simply as a beautiful starting point for a bespoke piece.
Origin
Many stones are tied to landscapes, mines and geological histories across Africa and beyond.
Expression
A birthstone can become a ring, pendant, charm, reset piece or quiet personal talisman.
Month 01
January
Garnet
January’s birthstone, Garnet, is best known for its rich red tones, though it occurs in nearly every colour. Admired since antiquity, it represents protection, commitment, and vitality, making it a fitting start to the year.
History
Garnet has been used in jewellery for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Warriors once carried Garnet amulets for protection, and it was often inlaid into signet rings used to seal important documents.
Where found
Major sources include Africa, particularly Mozambique, Tanzania, and Kenya, as well as India, Sri Lanka, and the United States. Each region produces distinct hues ranging from deep burgundy to vivid green.
Varieties
Garnet is a family of minerals that appear in many colours. Key varieties include Almandine (deep red), Pyrope (crimson), Spessartine (orange), and Tsavorite (green). There are also rare colour-change, purple, and Dragon Garnets that display unique visual effects.
Month 02
February
Amethyst
February’s birthstone, Amethyst, is a violet variety of quartz admired for its clarity and depth of colour. From soft lilac to deep royal purple, it symbolises calmness, creativity, and inner strength.
History
Amethyst has adorned crowns and religious relics since ancient times. In medieval Europe, it was worn by clergy as a symbol of piety and wisdom. The Greeks believed it protected against intoxication and helped maintain a clear mind.
Where found
Amethyst is mined in Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, and Madagascar, each producing stones with distinct shades. Zambian Amethyst is especially valued for its rich, velvety hue.
Varieties
Though all Amethyst belongs to the quartz family, colour intensity varies depending on the amount of iron and natural heat in its formation. Lighter shades are sometimes called “Rose de France” Amethyst.
Month 03
March
Aquamarine & Bloodstone
March is represented by two gemstones: Aquamarine and Bloodstone.
Aquamarine is known for its serene blue tones reminiscent of the sea, while Bloodstone is recognised for its deep green colour flecked with red, symbolising courage and endurance.
History
Aquamarine was cherished by sailors in ancient times, who believed it calmed the waves and protected them on voyages.
Bloodstone, also known as heliotrope, was valued in medieval Europe for its supposed healing properties and was often carried as a talisman of strength.
Where found
Aquamarine is mined across Africa, with notable sources in Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Zambia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Zimbaqua Mine in Zimbabwe is particularly special, as it is operated entirely by women. Beyond Africa, Aquamarine is also found in the United States, China, Myanmar, Russia, and Ukraine.
Bloodstone is mainly sourced from India, but can also be found in Brazil, Australia, China, and the United States, often discovered in riverbeds or as inclusions within other rocks.
Varieties
Aquamarine ranges from pale sky blue to deep ocean blue, with deeper shades being the most valuable.
Bloodstone typically appears dark green with distinctive red spots caused by iron oxide inclusions.
Month 04
April
Diamond
April’s birthstone, Diamond, is the hardest known natural material on Earth. Its brilliance and strength have made it one of the most desired gemstones in history, symbolising endurance, purity, and everlasting love.
History
Diamonds have been prized for thousands of years, with their earliest use traced to India around 2,500 years ago. In ancient times, they were believed to offer protection and courage. Today, they are celebrated as a universal symbol of commitment and clarity.
Where found
Diamonds are mined in several parts of the world, including Africa, Russia, Canada, and Australia. Africa remains one of the most significant producers, with notable deposits in Botswana, South Africa, and Angola.
Varieties
Though colourless diamonds are the most traditional, natural fancy-coloured diamonds can appear in shades of yellow, blue, pink, green, and even black. Each colour variation results from unique trace elements or conditions during formation.
Bold. Historical. Modern. Mine.
Month 05
May
Emerald
May’s birthstone, Emerald, is one of the most treasured gemstones in history. Known for its rich green colour and captivating depth, it represents renewal, growth, and love.
History
Emeralds were highly prized in ancient Egypt, where Cleopatra was known to favour them. They were believed to symbolise fertility and rebirth. In ancient Rome, they were associated with Venus, the goddess of love and beauty.
Where found
Emeralds are found in several parts of the world, including Zambia, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe, as well as Colombia and Brazil. African Emeralds, particularly from Zambia, are known for their deep, bluish-green tones and excellent clarity.
Varieties
Emerald belongs to the beryl family, the same group as Aquamarine. Its green colour comes from trace amounts of chromium and vanadium. The most desirable Emeralds have a rich, evenly distributed colour and few visible inclusions.
Month 06
June
Pearl, Moonstone & Alexandrite
June has three birthstones, each with its own charm and character. Pearl is celebrated for its natural elegance, Moonstone for its soft, luminous glow, and Alexandrite for its rare colour-changing quality. Together, they represent variety, transformation, and quiet strength.
History
Pearls have been admired for thousands of years and were once considered the most precious gem of all.
Moonstone was sacred to ancient Romans, who believed it was formed from solidified moonlight. Alexandrite, discovered in Russia in the 19th century, was named after Tsar Alexander II.
Where found
Pearls are cultivated in oceans and freshwater sources around the world, particularly in Japan, China, and the South Pacific.
Moonstone is found in India, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar. Alexandrite is rare, with key sources in Russia, Brazil, Sri Lanka, and parts of East Africa.
Varieties
Pearls come in several types, including Akoya, South Sea, and Tahitian, each known for its distinctive lustre and size.
Moonstone can appear white, blue, peach, or grey, while Alexandrite shifts from green in daylight to reddish-purple under incandescent light.
Month 07
July
Ruby
July’s birthstone, Ruby, is one of the most celebrated and valuable gemstones in the world. Known for its vibrant red colour and remarkable hardness, Ruby represents passion, strength, and vitality.
History
Rubies have been prized for centuries, often referred to as the “king of gemstones.” In ancient India, they were considered symbols of power and protection. Burmese warriors once wore them for invincibility in battle, while in medieval Europe, they were believed to bring good fortune and courage.
Where found
Rubies are mined in various parts of the world, with significant deposits in Mozambique, Madagascar, and Tanzania. Other sources include Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, and Sri Lanka. African rubies, particularly those from Mozambique, are admired for their deep, vivid red tones.
Varieties
Ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum, which also forms Sapphire in other colours. The most desirable rubies are known as “pigeon’s blood” for their pure, intense red hue with a hint of blue.
Month 08
August
Peridot, Spinel & Sardonyx
August is one of the few months with three official birthstones, each distinct in appearance and history. Peridot glows with a bright, lime-green hue, Spinel dazzles in a range of vivid colours, and Sardonyx displays bold layers of red and white.
History
Peridot has been treasured since ancient Egypt, where it was called the “gem of the sun.”
Spinel was long mistaken for Ruby in royal jewels, only to be recognised as a separate gem in recent centuries.
Sardonyx has been used in cameos and seals since Roman times, valued for its durability and contrast.
Where found
Peridot is mined in parts of East Africa, Pakistan, Myanmar, and the United States.
Spinel is found in Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
Sardonyx is sourced from India, Brazil, and Madagascar.
Varieties
Peridot ranges from yellow-green to olive green, depending on its iron content.
Spinel occurs in nearly every colour, including red, pink, blue, violet, and black.
Sardonyx is a form of onyx with alternating bands of brownish-red and white.
Bold. Historical. Modern. Mine.
Month 09
September
Sapphire
September’s birthstone, Sapphire, is most often recognised for its deep blue colour, but it also occurs in many other hues. Valued for its brilliance and durability, Sapphire represents wisdom, loyalty, and truth.
History
Sapphire has been admired for thousands of years. In ancient Persia, it was believed the sky’s blue colour reflected the earth’s giant sapphire base. Medieval clergy wore Blue Sapphires as a symbol of heaven, while kings and queens viewed them as tokens of protection and divine favour.
Where found
Sapphire deposits are found in East Africa, particularly Tanzania and Madagascar, as well as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Australia. Each region produces stones with unique colour variations and characteristics.
Varieties
While blue is the most iconic, Sapphires appear in almost every colour except red. These include pink, yellow, green, and purple, known as “fancy sapphires.” Star Sapphires display a shimmering star-like pattern caused by light reflecting off needle-like inclusions within the stone.
Month 10
October
Opal & Tourmaline
October has two birthstones, Opal and Tourmaline, both known for their stunning colour play. Opal dazzles with shifting flashes of light, while Tourmaline comes in a wide range of vibrant colours, from soft pinks to deep greens.
History
Opal has long been considered a symbol of hope and imagination. Ancient Romans believed it brought good fortune and foresight.
Tourmaline was discovered later, often mistaken for other gems due to its wide variety of colours, and has become increasingly admired for its versatility in jewellery.
Where found
Opals are primarily sourced from Australia, Ethiopia, and Mexico. East Africa, especially Ethiopia, has become a leading producer of gem-quality Opal.
Tourmaline is mined in many parts of the world, including Mozambique, Nigeria, Madagascar, Brazil, and Afghanistan.
Varieties
Opals are classified by their background colour and play-of-colour intensity, with black Opal being the rarest and most valuable.
Tourmaline occurs in nearly every colour, including multicoloured varieties such as Watermelon Tourmaline, which displays green and pink zones within a single crystal.
Month 11
November
Topaz & Citrine
November is represented by two warm, radiant gemstones: Topaz and Citrine. Both are admired for their golden hues and clarity, symbolising joy, energy, and abundance.
History
Topaz has been treasured since ancient times. The Egyptians associated it with the sun god Ra, believing it carried his warmth and strength.
Citrine, often called the “merchant’s stone,” was popular among traders and craftspeople for its supposed power to attract prosperity.
Where found
Topaz is found in several parts of the world, including Nigeria, Madagascar, and Namibia, as well as Brazil and Sri Lanka.
Citrine is mined in Brazil, Zambia, and Madagascar, where it forms naturally or through gentle heat treatment of Amethyst or Smoky Quartz.
Varieties
Topaz occurs in many colours, from colourless and pale yellow to pink, blue, and imperial orange.
Citrine’s shades range from soft lemon to rich amber, depending on the concentration of iron within the quartz.
Month 12
December
Turquoise, Tanzanite & Zircon
December has three striking birthstones, each reflecting a different shade of blue. Turquoise is celebrated for its opaque, sky-blue colour, Tanzanite for its vivid violet-blue brilliance, and Zircon for its luminosity and sparkle. Together, they symbolise wisdom, transformation, and hope.
History
Turquoise is among the oldest known gemstones, used in ancient Egypt and Persia as a protective talisman.
Tanzanite, discovered only in 1967 near Mount Kilimanjaro, is one of the most recent and rarest additions to the gemstone world.
Zircon, one of the earth’s oldest minerals, was valued in the Middle Ages for its supposed ability to promote honour and peace.
Where found
Turquoise is mined in several regions, including the United States, Iran, and Egypt.
Tanzanite is found exclusively in Tanzania, making it one of the world’s most geographically limited gemstones.
Zircon is mined in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and East Africa.
Varieties
Turquoise ranges from sky blue to greenish blue, often with natural veining or matrix patterns.
Tanzanite displays a unique trichroism, showing blue, violet, and burgundy tones when viewed from different angles.
Zircon appears in a wide range of colours, with blue being the most popular for December.
Bespoke birthstone pieces
Turn a month into something personal.
Choose a stone for a birthday, a child, a partner, an anniversary or a memory. SuhaniMara can translate it into a piece that feels ancient, modern and yours.
