Birthstone Guide
Birthstones have captivated people for centuries, each gem believed to bring luck and unique qualities to those born in its corresponding month. At Thomas Glover, we celebrate these storied jewels through our carefully curated collection of antique jewellery. Each piece in our inventory not only showcases the beauty of its birthstone but also carries with it a rich history and craftsmanship of bygone eras.
Join us on a journey through the calendar year, exploring the fascinating world of birthstones and the antique pieces that feature them. Our guide will help you understand the significance of each stone, its history, and the types of antique jewellery you might find in our collection.
January — Garnet
A variety of silicate mineral, garnet occurs in shades of green, red, yellow, and orange, with reddish hues being the most common. The word "garnet" originates from the 14th-century Middle English word "gernet," meaning 'dark red'. Revered since ancient times, garnets were worn by Egyptian pharaohs and prized by Romans for their protective properties. This deep red gem symbolizes passion, vitality, and strength. In spiritual practices, garnet is associated with physical love, relationships, protection, and meditation. Its fiery brilliance makes it a perfect stone to ignite the start of a new year.
March — Aquamarine
Derived from the Latin "aqua" (water) and "mare" (sea), aquamarine embodies the tranquility of its namesake. Ancient mariners carried this gem as a talisman for safe voyages and protection against the perils of the sea. Its serene blue hues evoke calmness, clarity, and courage. Ranging from pale to deep blue, aquamarine is a variety of beryl, cousin to the emerald. In crystal healing, it's associated with soothing energies and clear communication. Our aquamarine pieces capture the essence of sky and sea, bringing a refreshing touch of serenity to any ensemble.
April — Diamond
The epitome of endurance and brilliance, diamonds have captivated humanity for millennia. Formed deep within the Earth under extreme heat and pressure, diamonds are the hardest natural substance known. The ancient Greeks named it "adamas," meaning "invincible," a quality that extends to its symbolism of eternal love. Diamonds have adorned crowns, engagement rings, and treasured jewellery throughout history. Beyond their unparalleled sparkle, they represent strength, purity, and clarity. At Thomas Glover, we source ethical diamonds to create timeless pieces that celebrate life's most precious moments.
February — Amethyst
The regal purple of amethyst has long been associated with royalty and spirituality. Its name derives from the Greek "amethystos," meaning "not drunken," as it was believed to prevent intoxication. Amethyst was highly prized by ancient Greeks and Romans, who adorned their goblets with the stone. In medieval times, it was cherished by clergy and royalty alike. This violet variety of quartz represents peace, spiritual wisdom, and sobriety. It's thought to enhance intuition and promote calm. In our designs, amethyst brings a touch of mystical elegance, perfect for those seeking both beauty and inner tranquility.
May — Emerald
Cleopatra's favorite gem, the emerald, has been revered since antiquity. This vibrant green variety of beryl gets its name from the ancient Greek "smaragdus," simply meaning "green gem." Emeralds were mined in Egypt as early as 3500 BC and were believed to grant fertility, rebirth, and eternal youth. In various cultures, emeralds symbolized wisdom, growth, and patience. The lush beauty of emeralds is often compared to spring foliage, making it a fitting birthstone for May. Our emerald pieces bring a touch of nature's vivid splendour to any jewellery collection.
June — Pearl
June-born individuals have the pearl as their birthstone. Pearls, organic gems formed within mollusks, have been treasured for millennia. Ancient Chinese believed pearls were formed from dragon tears, while Romans associated them with Venus, the goddess of love. Symbolising purity and innocence, pearls add a classic, lustrous elegance to any design. The word pearl comes from the French perle, originally from the Latin perna based on the shape of the mollusc they originate from. Pearls have been associated with modesty and because they come from the sea, also have associations with the moon and with water. Pearls are also traditionally considered traditional jewellery for brides.
Our June birthstone pieces celebrate the timeless allure of pearls of all types and designs.
July — Ruby
The fiery brilliance of ruby has made it one of the most coveted gems throughout history. Its name comes from the Latin "ruber," meaning red. Revered in ancient cultures from China to Rome, rubies were believed to hold the power of life itself, symbolizing passion, courage, and protection. In our antique collection, you might find Victorian-era ruby rings surrounded by diamond halos, Edwardian pendants featuring rubies in delicate platinum settings, or Art Deco pieces that contrast the ruby's warmth with cool white diamonds in geometric designs. For a truly rare find, look for our Burmese rubies in antique settings, prized for their "pigeon's blood" color.
August — Peridot
Often called "the evening emerald," peridot is one of the few gemstones that occurs in only one colour: olive green. The ancient Egyptians called it the "gem of the sun," believing it protected its wearer from terrors of the night. Peridot has been confused with emerald throughout history, with some believing Cleopatra's famous emerald collection may have actually been peridot. In our antique jewellery selection, you might discover delicate Edwardian peridot necklaces, where the stone's fresh green hue is often complemented by seed pearls. Art Nouveau pieces featuring peridot showcase the stone in whimsical, nature-inspired designs, while Georgian era peridot jewels, though rare, offer a glimpse into early fine jewellery craftsmanship.
September — Sapphire
Sapphires have been prized for their celestial blue colour since ancient times, symbolising nobility, truth, and faithfulness. While blue is their most famous hue, sapphires naturally occur in every colour except red (which are called rubies). Our antique sapphire collection includes Victorian-era pieces where deep blue sapphires are often paired with diamonds in intricate gold settings. Edwardian sapphire jewellery showcases the stones in delicate platinum filigree work, while Art Deco pieces feature sapphires in bold, geometric designs. Look for rare star sapphires in vintage rings, displaying their mesmerising asterism, or Sri Lankan and Kashmir sapphires, renowned for their velvety "cornflower" blue colour.
October — Opal & Tourmaline
October-born individuals have two birthstones: the enigmatic opal and the colourful tourmaline. Opals, with their play-of-colour, were believed by ancient Arabs to have fallen from the heavens. The word Opal is derived from the Sanskrit 'upala', which means jewel.
In our antique opal pieces, you'll find Victorian-era brooches where opals are surrounded by diamond halos, or Art Nouveau pendants featuring opals in sinuous, organic designs. Opal has always been associated with love and passion and wearing an opal is said to bring about loyalty and faithfulness.
Tourmaline, known for its wide range of colours, became popular in the late 19th century. Our collection might include Edwardian tourmaline necklaces in pastel hues, or vibrant green tourmaline rings from the early 20th century, often mistaken for emeralds.
November — Topaz & Citrine
November has two birthstones: Topaz and Citrine.
Topaz is a silicate mineral whose name is derived from the Latin topazus or the Sanskrit word tapas, meaning "heat" or "fire". Topaz is a symbol of love and affection and has been said to be an aid to one's sweetness and disposition.The gemstone is known for its wide range of colours, from golden yellows to deep blues. This gemstone is associated with clarity, creativity, and emotional balance and was often used as accent stones in antique jewellery.
Citrine is a variety of quartz named for its distinctive yellow colour. Due to their sunny complexion Citrines have historically been associated with the sun by cultures across the globe. In ancient Rome, Citrines were commonly used in intaglio rings. The name Citrine stemmed from the Latin and French for lemon: ‘citrina’ or ‘citron’. Queen Victoria favoured the yellow stones, as a product of her beloved Scotland. Citrines are believed to be symbols of the sun’s life giving powers and virility.
December — Turquoise
The ancient opaque gemstone turquoise, one of the oldest known gems, was prized by ancient Egyptians and Native Americans alike. Turquoise is a blue to green-blue gemstone prized for its vivid colour and natural veining. The gemstone is associated with protection, healing, and spiritual grounding and has been used in jewellery and amulets for centuries. Our antique turquoise collection includes Victorian-era pieces where turquoise is often paired with pearls or diamonds, and striking Art Nouveau designs that showcase turquoise in nature-inspired motifs. Turquoise was used in the Georgian and Victorian eras to represent the forget me not flower and can often be seen in sentimental jewellery .
