Jewellery feels more meaningful when it connects to our own stories, and birthstones are a lovely way to do that. Each month has a gemstone appreciated for its colour, symbolism and lasting character. When set into jewellery, these stones become thoughtful birthday gifts with lasting sentiment and beauty. Birthstone jewellery brings together nature, tradition and personal symbolism in a way few pieces can.

In this guide, discover the birthstones for each month and our handmade birthstone jewellery inspired by art and nature.

What Are Birthstones?

Birthstones are gemstones traditionally associated with each month of the year. Their origins trace back to ancient cultures that believed certain stones offered protection, wisdom, joy or clarity. Over generations, people linked these meanings to birthdays, creating a much-loved tradition that continues to this day.

Birthstone jewellery remains popular because it is personal and enduring. Each gemstone has its own meaning, and birthstone jewellery becomes a sentimental gift when paired with a thoughtful design. At Paula Bolton, we use gemstones to reflect the story of our jewellery, inspired by art and nature.

Birthstones by Month

January Birthstone – Garnet

Garnet has a wonderfully rich depth of colour, glowing with warm red tones that have long symbolised loyalty, protection and heartfelt connection. As the January birthstone, garnet carries a sense of strength and quiet warmth.

C. R. Mackintosh Inspired Garnet Jewellery

Our January birthstone jewellery from our C. R. Mackintosh-inspired collection includes garnet earrings, a necklace, a bracelet, and a brooch.

This jewellery draws on Charles Rennie Mackintosh's signature Art Nouveau style, with silver and gold accents and garnet birthstones. Each piece features refined geometric lines and a gentle artistic sensibility typical of the Mackintosh aesthetic.

Margaret Macdonald Gesso-Inspired Garnet Jewellery

Garnet Jewellery pieces: Macdonald Gesso-inspired earrings, necklace, brooch, and bangle.

Inspired by Margaret Macdonald’s Gesso panels, this collection uses garnet and peridot to mirror the gemstones in her original works.

Holly Brooch with Garnet Berries

Includes: Holly Brooch

A seasonal favourite shaped from natural holly leaves, finished with cabochon garnet berries. Our Holly garnet brooch has a rich colour and winter theme, making it a thoughtful January birthday gift and a lovely piece to wear in the colder months.

February Birthstone – Amethyst

Amethyst is the birthstone for February. Amethyst is admired for its soothing violet tones and has long been associated with clarity, peace and gentle reflection.

Our February birthstone jewellery includes: Monet Reflections Earrings, Monet Reflections Contour Earrings, Monet Reflections Pendant Necklace, and Monet Reflections Opal Brooch.

Monet Reflections

Our Monet Reflections jewellery combines amethyst, opal and moonstone in designs inspired by Monet's lily pond paintings. Flowing curves, layered finishes and painterly gemstones give the collection a tranquil, atmospheric quality. These pieces are expressive yet understated, perfect for anyone seeking unusual amethyst jewellery.

March Birthstone – Aquamarine

Aquamarine is the March birthstone. Known for its pale blue clarity, Aquamarine symbolises calm, honesty and the freshness of early spring. Its name comes from the Latin for 'seawater', and the stone has long been associated with safe travels and peaceful communication.

April Birthstone – Diamond

Diamond is traditionally the birthstone for April. Admired for its purity and brilliance, it symbolises strength, devotion and clarity. Diamond is often chosen to mark life's most meaningful celebrations, and its long-standing heritage makes it one of the world's most iconic gemstones.

May Birthstone – Emerald

Emerald is the birthstone for May and is treasured for its vivid green colour. It symbolises renewal, wisdom and vitality, echoing the flourishing beauty of spring. Across history, emerald has been associated with creativity and emotional harmony.

June Birthstone – Pearl

Pearls have been admired for centuries for their soft radiance and natural beauty. As the June birthstone, pearls symbolise wisdom, serenity and grace. Their gentle glow makes pearl jewellery timeless and easy to wear, lending a quiet elegance to any wardrobe.

Our June birthstone jewellery includes pearl jewellery inspired by artists Hokusai, Vermeer and Van Gogh, the Art Deco movement, and seashore finds.

Hokusai-Inspired Pearl Jewellery

Sculpted wave motifs paired with natural pearls, inspired by 'The Great Wave'.

Art Deco Pearl Jewellery

Geometric silver, resin and gold-plated jewellery offering a refined 1920s interpretation of pearl jewellery.

Vermeer Pearl Jewellery

Jewellery inspired by Johannes Vermeer's 'Girl with the Pearl Earring', with Lapis lazuli, citrine and freshwater pearls.

Van Gogh Almond Blossom Jewellery

Sterling silver jewellery accented with pearls and resin, capturing the calm beauty of Van Gogh's Almond Blossom paintings.

Ocean-Inspired Pearl Jewellery

From starfish earrings to shell necklaces, this pearl jewellery celebrates the ocean and the nostalgia of the seaside.

July Birthstone – Ruby

Ruby is the birthstone for July and is known for its vibrant red glow. Ruby symbolises vitality, passion and protection, often associated with love and courage.

August Birthstone – Peridot

Peridot is August's birthstone, loved for its fresh green colour touched with golden light. Peridot symbolises happiness, creativity and renewal, making it a joyful choice for August birthdays.

Our peridot jewellery includes collections inspired by Margaret Macdonald's exquisite gesso panels.

The Willowwood Collection

Our Willowwood collection reflects Margaret Macdonald's gesso panel of the same name. This iolite and peridot jewellery is full of Art Nouveau movement and expressive colour.

The Gesso Collection

With sculptural design inspired by Margaret Macdonald's panels, our Gesso collection offers an artistic interpretation of August birthstone jewellery. This is peridot jewellery fused with Art Nouveau elegance.

September Birthstone – Sapphire

Sapphire, the September birthstone, is known for its deep blue tones. Across cultures, it has symbolised wisdom, truth and serenity. Artists, thinkers and storytellers have long worn Sapphire for sense of depth and composure.

October Birthstone – Opal

Opal is the birthstone for October, admired for its shifting colours. It symbolises creativity, intuition and emotional expression. Each opal carries its own play of colour, making opal jewellery wonderfully individual.

Our October birthstone jewellery includes pieces inspired by Monet's exquisite paintings.

Our Monet opal jewellery draws inspiration from the artist's gift for capturing atmosphere and changing light. Soft curves, layered finishes and thoughtful gemstone combinations echo the shifting tones seen across Monet's water garden scenes. These pieces feel luminous and expressive for those seeking October birthstone jewellery with a story.

November Birthstone – Citrine

Citrine is treasured for its warm golden glow. It symbolises joy, comfort and clarity, associated with optimism and positive energy. As the November birthstone, Citrine brings a sense of brightness during the darker months.

Our November birthstone jewellery includes pieces inspired by Johannes Vermeer's paintings and the celestial wonder of Jupiter.

The Vermeer Collection

Citrine jewellery in 18ct gold plate, with lapis lazuli and freshwater pearls. A gentle colour harmony inspired by Vermeer's balanced, atmospheric paintings.

The Jupiter Collection

This citrine jewellery captures Jupiter's wonder in silver and 18ct gold plate with citrine and moonstone. Swirling shapes echo the movement of Jupiter's atmosphere, resulting in jewellery that feels expressive, radiant and full of movement.

December Birthstone – Turquoise

Turquoise is the traditional birthstone for December. Turquoise has a calming sky blue colour, and the gemstone is associated with protection, well-being and peace. Many cultures have treasured turquoise as a gemstone believed to bring balance and positive energy.

Month	Birthstone
January	Garnet
February	Amethyst
March	Aquamarine
April	Diamond
May	Emerald
June	Pearl
July	Ruby
August	Peridot
September	Sapphire
October	Opal
November	Citrine
December	Turquoise

Why Birthstone Jewellery Makes a Meaningful Gift

Birthstone jewellery is meaningful because it carries both sentiment and beauty. Each gemstone has its own story, shaped by nature and tradition, and the jewellery becomes a reminder of the occasion it marks. Handcrafted in sterling silver and inspired by art and the natural world, our jewellery lets each stone shine in its own special way.

Explore our art and nature-inspired birthstone jewellery for a gift that feels truly unique and full of meaning.