Birthstones in jewellery
If you are making jewellery to sell or for gifts, using birthstones can be a popular choice with customers and recipients – plus the colours and shapes can provide inspiration for the type of pieces you might make.
There are several different lists of birthstones to choose from, including traditional, modern, mystical and ayurvedic – but this selection of interesting jewellery is based on zodiac birthstones.
Aquarius: January 21 to February 19 – Garnet
Garnets are a symbol of love and compassion as well as apparently helping you find success in business.
Victorian Bohemian garnet fan brooch
Pisces: February 20 to March 20 – Amethyst
The name of this popular stone comes from Greek for “not drunk” because it was believed to prevent intoxication.
Amethyst Teardrop Earrings by Candela Jewelry
Aries: March 21 to April 19 – Bloodstone
The name of this stone, also known as heliotrope, comes from the splashes of red in the crystal.
Bloodstone heliotrope crystal pendant by SunnyCrystals
Taurus: April 20 to May 20 – Sapphire
Although traditionally thought of as blue, sapphires actually come in a range of colours – although if the same mineral is red it is then a ruby (see below).
Gemini: May 21 to June 21 – Agate
Geminis are lucky – the stone comes in such a range of colours that there is bound to be one to suit everyone
Agate pendant by FriedaSophie Jewelry
Cancer: June 22 to July 22 – Emerald
The ancient Greek’s called emeralds smaragdos (green gem) which of course makes the Hobbit fans amongst us think of Smaug the dragon.
Wire wrapped emerald by Silverwire Designs
Leo: July 23 to August 23 – Onyx
Popular in ancient Eygpt, onyx is often seen as carbochons as well as carved into cameos.
Virgo: August 24 to September 22 – Carnelian
Carnelian has been a popular decorative stone for thousands of years – examples have been found in the bronze age remains at Knossos on Crete, traditional home of the Minotaur.
Carnelian ring by Chris Gardner
Libra: September 23 to October 22 – Peridot
Unusually peridot only appears in olive green and can be confused with emerald.
Peridot swarovski ring by TrinketsNWhatnots
Scorpio: October 23 to November 22 – Beryl
Pure beryl is colourless but impurities give it colour such as blue and turquoise when it is known as aquamarine.
Copper and beryl ring by Midwest Alchemy
Sagittarius: November 23 to December 21 – Topaz
While orange (or precious) topaz is the official Novemebr birthstone it actually has a wide colour range including wine, yellow, pale gray, reddish-orange, or blue brown.
Vintage topaz glass art deco earrings
Capricorn: December 22 to January 20 – Ruby
In Asia rubies were laid beneath the foundation of buildings to secure good fortune to the structure – we’d rather hang them from our ears.
If you would like to learn more about Gemstones, why not try our Introduction to Gemstones taster class – full information here