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birthstones cabochons for jewelry
Our birthstones : garnet, amethyst, aquamarine, moonstone, green onyx, alexandrite, ruby, peridot, sapphire, opal, citrine, turquoise.

Birthstones are defined by a classification of precious or semi-precious stones, each symbolizing a month of the year. These jewels (rings, pendants, bracelets, brooches, earrings, anklets...) are to be coordinated according to the birth month of your child or children, your spouse, or a loved one...

These jewels are highly appreciated gifts for birthdays, year-end celebrations, weddings, births, or simply to please a loved one.

Making your jewel with a birthstone

We generally try to leave as much freedom as possible in the composition of a piece of jewelry, so that you can offer a truly personalized piece, not only by choosing the stone corresponding to the birth month, but also in the shape of the object itself. You can thus choose the color of the stone, the shape of the setting, and even add engravings or specific patterns to create a unique piece of jewelry that perfectly reflects the personality and tastes of the person you are offering it to.

But designing a piece of jewelry is not always easy and sometimes we are afraid of the budget involved. In order to make things easier for you, we therefore offer you a series of products with birthstone that we consider as the basic collection, thus offering you the possibility to acquire a product already designed or to have an idea of the price, before maybe asking us for something different, more elaborate and personal.

Our birthstone series: the basic collection

Our jewelry with birthstone: our creations

Over time, we have created various jewelry designs with birthstones, most often for the beauty of the stone and not with the idea of presenting them in this section. These are more original pieces than those in our basic range, which you can discover by clicking on the buttons below. These unique jewels are the result of a particular inspiration, artisanal know-how, and meticulous attention to detail.

⚠ We remind you that we are a creator jeweler and not a reseller. If one of the birthstone jewelry pieces from our catalog is marked as sold and you like it, do not hesitate to contact us. We are usually able to present you with a similar piece. As creators, we have the ability to customize each piece of jewelry to exactly match your preferences and expectations. Do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your needs and desires.

our birthstone cabochon for jewelry
Our cabochons for creating your birthstone jewelry are carefully selected gems for their quality and beauty.

Search with the following buttons for examples of birthstone jewelry that we have created:

A birthstone jewel with your sketch

These jewels are custom-made and with the support you desire. The possibilities are numerous, it’s just a matter of thinking: ring, brooch, earrings, bracelet, anklet, cufflinks...

So you will need to provide me with your birth month and the associated stone as a priority. Then, we will think about the support and its shape. If it is a ring, don’t forget to let me know the size of your finger and the selected stone(s) etc...

Then, the process is the same as for a personalized jewel, conditions that you can find on the page: personalized jewel. We develop a drawing, and when you like it, I will propose you a quote according to the weight of the piece and the work it requires.

You can already consult the various examples on the website.

When you will be ready, contact me at contact@emmanuelleguyon.com

Origins and history of birthstones

The origin of the idea of putting a stone per month is very discussed and debatable. When you like simple and clear things, you are really not spoiled with birthstones.

The debate oscillates between two groups that do not facilitate understanding at all. The first group is made up of the ultra-convinced of the ancient origin of birthstones and all the metaphysics associated with them. They will find you all the reasons in the world, from one country to another, from one era to another, from one civilization to another, to convince you, sometimes falling into ridicule...

tourmaline ring for october birthstone
"Dying with roses" ring with tourmaline, the october birthstone

The second group, more pragmatic, argues that the idea of birthstones is a relatively recent invention, dating back to the early 20th century. According to them, this tradition was popularized by American jewelers who saw in this idea a commercial opportunity. They associated each month of the year with a precious or semi-precious stone, thus creating an emotional link between the stones and the birth months.

So finding an honest explanation about the origin of birthstones is very complicated. I will therefore just mention a few elements here, because for me, the beauty and interest of birthstones are not limited to their origin, and everyone can thus form their own opinion.

I am more charmed by the idea of offering a jewel charged with intimacy, an object that reflects the person and that guides us in a choice of stone, not always easy to make, or a magnificent personal symbol that can bind us to our children. Each birthstone has its own meaning and properties, and choosing the right stone for someone can be a very personal and meaningful process. It is a way to show someone that you really know them and that you have taken the time to choose something special for them. It is also a way to create an emotional bond with someone, by sharing something precious and meaningful.

The stones of the twelve tribes of Israel

So, no one can boast of knowing the origin of birthstones, but everyone seems to agree to link their origin to the stones symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel.

They are mentioned in the Old Testament section of the Bible, in the book of Exodus. God is said to have instructed Aaron, then the high priest of Israel, to fashion a breastplate bearing twelve precious stones: one for each of his twelve sons who would form the twelve tribes of Israel. This breastplate, called the Ephod, was then worn by the high priests of the temple in Jerusalem as a means of communication with God. It was considered a symbol of divine presence and divine protection. It was worn during religious ceremonies and sacred rituals, and it was supposed to enable the priests to communicate with God and receive answers to their prayers.

Here too, the exact list is difficult to establish based on the translations that have been made of the Bible (especially the Old Testament), and some of the stones of the tribes of Israel could not be identified with certainty. Translations and interpretations vary among scholars and theologians, and there are different versions of the Bible that may present variations in the list of gemstones associated with the tribes of Israel. Additionally, some of the stones mentioned in the Bible are gemstones that were commonly used at the time but are less known today or have different names. This makes it difficult to identify with certainty the gemstones associated with each tribe of Israel.

While it seems entirely possible that the stones of the tribes of Israel are the origin of birthstones, we cannot establish with certainty when and how the transition was made to stones linked to a specific month. The association of gemstones with the months of the year is a tradition that dates back to antiquity, but the first explicit mentions of this practice only appeared in writings from the Middle Ages. It is possible that this tradition evolved over time, with cultural and religious influences shaping beliefs and practices related to gemstones.

Table of the tribes of Israel and the associated stones. Bold indicates stones whose translation seems most accurate, italic indicates questionable ones.

Tribu d’israël Non de la pierre en hébreu Pierre associée
Reouven Odem Sardonyx sometimes translated as Ruby or Carnelian
Chimon Pitdah Topaz
Lévi Bareqeth Garnet or Emerald (the exact translation was lost)
Juda Nophek Emerald or Garnet or Malachite
Issakhar Sappiyr Lapis lazuli or Sapphire
Zevouloun Yahalom Diamond or Jasper
Dan Leshem Opal or "Ligure" (unknown stone)
Naftali Shebuw Agate
Gad Aclamah Amethyst
Acher Tarshish Beryl or Chrysolite
Yossef Shoham Onyx or Beryl
Benyamin Jashepheh Jasper or Onyx

 

Christian symbols and astrology with birthstones

From the first century after Jesus Christ, the relation of the stones of the 12 tribes of Israel with the twelve signs of the zodiac would be found.

During the eighth and ninth centuries, the twelve stones are at the center of numerous religious reflections and treatises. Beyond the astrological signs, the 12 stones are associated with the twelve apostles, the foundation stones, the 12 gates of the heavenly city (apocalypse)... and they are attributed their symbol, therapeutic virtues, and their value as a talisman for the wearer.

In practice, at that time, one had to wear the 12 stones once a month. The use of a single stone would most surely be from the 18th century, established by Polish scholars.

Birthstones: a jeweler marketing

ring with citrine, november birthstone
"Autumn hedgehog" ring with citrine, the november birthstone.

The concept of individual birthstones is therefore relatively recent, even though some seek and propose all sorts of dubious origins in various and varied cultures, and difficult to verify.

The current list of birthstones was only defined in 1912, by the National Association of Jewelers (Jewelers of America) in the United States. It is strongly inspired by the stones of the twelve tribes of Israel, with other criteria that I ignore. Now, to say whether their intention was to clarify and simplify things or whether it was purely an economic gesture... that remains to be appreciated by each one.

On the other hand, this first list from 1912 has undergone various attempts at modifications. In 1952, the alexandrite stone was added to the month of June and the citrine to November. It was also specified that the tourmaline was pink for October, and the lapis lazuli of December was replaced by the zircon. The most recent change dates back to 2002 with the addition of tanzanite for the December birthstone.

These adjustments were made for various reasons, including to include gemstones that had become more popular or to reflect changes in jewelry tastes and trends. For example, the addition of tanzanite in 2002 was motivated by the fact that this gemstone had become highly prized for its unique blue-violet color and rarity.

Obviously, these changes are purely commercial, to boost sales of certain stones and the jewelry trade. Moreover, English goldsmiths made their own list in 1937... a surely interesting market.

Birthstones and months

As we mentioned, there are several lists of birthstones, and several more or less dubious proposals for Arabic, Hebrew (the link with the months is far from proven), Hindu birthstones...

To keep it simple and clear, we will only use the current list of birthstones:

The 12 birthstones chosen to represent the different months of the year

The 12 birthstones
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1 January: Garnet 7 July: ruby
2 February: amethyst 8 August: peridot
3 March: bloodstone jasper, aquamarine 9 September: sapphire
4 April: Diamond, white moonstone> 10 October: opal, tourmaline
5 May: emerald 11 November: Topaz, Citrine
6 June: Fresh water pearl, moonstone, alexandrite 12 December: Turquoise, lapis lazuli, Zircon

The birthstone, an intimate and personal jewel

Despite the questionable origins, offering a birthstone remains a special, intimate, and highly symbolic gift. It is especially this feeling of offering a particular object that led me to propose these birthstone jewelry in the shop.

This makes it easier to choose the stone to offer, and what’s more, it is particularly attached to the person since it symbolizes the birth month of the person. This adds a personal and significant dimension to the gift, as the birthstone is supposed to reflect the character traits and qualities of the person born that month.

Character traits and birthstones

According to some interpretations, the birth month and the birthstone reflect the character traits of the person. We are not particularly convinced, finding these proposals rather repetitive. This is a summary of what we have been able to find, without being a specialist in the field, but for informational purposes.

Selection of cabochons of different shapes for the creation of a jewel that resembles you with your birthstones
Discover our selection of cabochons in different shapes for creating a jewelry piece that reflects your style with your birthstones. In our collection, you will find garnets, amethysts, aquamarines, moonstones, green onyxes, alexandrites, rubies, peridots, sapphires, opals, citrines, and turquoises.

January and Garnet

Garnet, the birthstone of January, is associated with character traits such as passion, vitality, strength, and determination. People born in January and who wear garnet are often considered dynamic, energetic, and ambitious individuals. They tend to be passionate about what they do and pursue their goals with determination and perseverance. Garnet is also associated with loyalty, self-confidence, and protection, which may indicate that people born in January are often loyal friends and trustworthy partners.

February and Amethyst

Amethyst, the birthstone of February, is associated with character traits such as wisdom, clarity of mind, inner peace, and spirituality. People born in February and who wear amethyst are often considered calm, thoughtful, and serene individuals. They tend to be deep thinkers and have a great ability to understand others and see things from different perspectives. Amethyst is also associated with protection and purification, which may indicate that people born in February often have a strong sense of integrity and morality.

March, Bloodstone and Aquamarine

Bloodstone, the birthstone of March, is associated with character traits such as strength, vitality, self-confidence, and determination. People born in March and who wear bloodstone are often considered dynamic, energetic, and ambitious individuals. They tend to be passionate about what they do and pursue their goals with determination and perseverance. Bloodstone is also associated with protection and healing, which may indicate that people born in March often have a strong sense of integrity and morality.

Aquamarine, another birthstone of March, is associated with character traits such as clarity of mind, inner peace, communication, and creativity. People born in March and who wear aquamarine are often considered calm, thoughtful, and serene individuals. They tend to have a great ability to understand others and communicate clearly and effectively. Aquamarine is also associated with protection and purification, which may indicate that people born in March often have a strong sense of integrity and morality.

Lily pad under the moon necklace Autumn with moonstone, the april birthstone
"Lily pad under the moon" necklace Autumn with moonstone, the april birthstone.

April, Diamond and White Moonstone

Diamond, the birthstone of April, is associated with character traits such as purity, clarity, strength, and invincibility. People born in April and who wear diamond are often considered strong, determined, and resilient individuals. They tend to be passionate about what they do and pursue their goals with determination and perseverance. Diamond is also associated with protection and healing, which may indicate that people born in April often have a strong sense of integrity and morality.

White moonstone, another birthstone of April, is associated with character traits such as sensitivity, intuition, creativity, and spirituality. People born in April and who wear white moonstone are often considered sensitive and intuitive individuals, who have great imagination and creativity. They tend to have a great ability to understand others and communicate clearly and effectively. White moonstone is also associated with protection and purification, which may indicate that people born in April often have a strong sense of integrity and morality.

May, Emerald and Green Onyx

Emerald, the birthstone of May, is associated with character traits such as wisdom, clarity of mind, inner peace, and spirituality. People born in May and who wear emerald are often considered calm, thoughtful, and serene individuals. They tend to be deep thinkers and have a great ability to understand others and see things from different perspectives. Emerald is also associated with protection and purification, which may indicate that people born in May often have a strong sense of integrity and morality.

Green onyx, another birthstone of May, is associated with character traits such as strength, vitality, self-confidence, and determination. People born in May and who wear green onyx are often considered dynamic, energetic, and ambitious individuals. They tend to be passionate about what they do and pursue their goals with determination and perseverance. Green onyx is also associated with protection and healing, which may indicate that people born in May often have a strong sense of integrity and morality.

June, Cultured Pearl, Moonstone, and Alexandrite

Cultured pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite are all birthstones of June, each with its own meanings and symbolic associations.

Cultured pearl is associated with character traits such as purity, innocence, femininity, and gentleness. People born in June and who wear cultured pearl are often considered gentle, kind, and caring individuals. They tend to be loving and caring people, who deeply care about others and are willing to make sacrifices for those they love.

Moonstone is associated with character traits such as sensitivity, intuition, imagination, and creativity. People born in June and who wear moonstone are often considered sensitive and intuitive individuals, who have great imagination and creativity. They tend to be very emotional people, who deeply feel things and are able to understand others deeply and intuitively.

Alexandrite is associated with character traits such as transformation, growth, luck, and prosperity. People born in June and who wear alexandrite are often considered lucky and prosperous individuals, who have a great ability to adapt to changes and seize opportunities that come their way. They tend to be ambitious and determined people, who have great self-confidence and are willing to take risks to achieve their goals.

July and Ruby

Ruby, the birthstone of July, is associated with character traits such as passion, vitality, strength, and determination. People born in July and who wear ruby are often considered dynamic, energetic, and ambitious individuals. They tend to be passionate about what they do and pursue their goals with determination and perseverance. Ruby is also associated with protection and healing, which may indicate that people born in July often have a strong sense of integrity and morality.

August and Peridot

Peridot, the birthstone of August, is associated with character traits such as growth, luck, prosperity, and protection. People born in August and who wear peridot are often considered lucky and prosperous individuals, who have a great ability to adapt to changes and seize opportunities that come their way. They tend to be ambitious and determined people, who have great self-confidence and are willing to take risks to achieve their goals. Peridot is also associated with protection and healing, which may indicate that people born in August often have a strong sense of integrity and morality.

earrings with sapphire for september birthstone
"Indian blue" earrings with sapphire, the september birthstone

September and Sapphire

Sapphire, the birthstone of September, is associated with character traits such as wisdom, clarity of mind, inner peace, and spirituality. People born in September and who wear sapphire are often considered calm, thoughtful, and serene individuals. They tend to be deep thinkers and have a great ability to understand others and see things from different perspectives. Sapphire is also associated with protection and purification, which may indicate that people born in September often have a strong sense of integrity and morality.

October, Tourmaline and Opal

Opal is a gemstone that is often associated with creativity, inspiration, and imagination. It is also considered a stone of luck and happiness. People who wear opals may be perceived as creative, intuitive, and sensitive. They may also be considered to have a dynamic and changing personality, as opal is a stone that can change color depending on the light.

Tourmaline is a gemstone that is often associated with protection, healing, and balance. It is also considered a stone that helps to eliminate negative energies and promote inner peace. People who wear tourmalines may be perceived as balanced, stable, and protective. They may also be considered to have a strong and determined personality, as tourmaline is a stone that is often used to help overcome obstacles and achieve goals.

November, Topaz, and Citrine

Topaz, the birthstone of November, is associated with characteristics such as wisdom, clarity of mind, inner peace, and spirituality. People born in November and who wear topaz are often considered calm, thoughtful, and serene individuals. They tend to be deep thinkers and have a great ability to understand others and see things from different perspectives. Topaz is also associated with protection and purification, which may indicate that people born in November often have a strong sense of integrity and morality.

Citrine, another birthstone of November, is associated with traits such as strength, vitality, self-confidence, and determination. People born in November and who wear citrine are often considered dynamic, energetic, and ambitious individuals. They tend to be passionate about what they do and pursue their goals with determination and perseverance. Citrine is also associated with prosperity and success, which may indicate that people born in November often have a strong sense of integrity and morality.

earrings with sapphire for september birthstone
"sarah" bracelet with zircon, the dicember birthstone

December, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Zircon

Turquoise, the birthstone of December, is associated with characteristics such as protection, luck, healing, and wisdom. People born in December who wear turquoise are often considered lucky and prosperous individuals, who have a great ability to adapt to changes and seize opportunities that come their way. They tend to be ambitious and determined individuals, who have great self-confidence and are willing to take risks to achieve their goals. Turquoise is also associated with protection and healing, which may indicate that people born in December often have a strong sense of integrity and morality.

Lapis Lazuli, another birthstone of December, is associated with traits such as wisdom, clarity of mind, inner peace, and spirituality. People born in December who wear lapis lazuli are often considered calm, thoughtful, and serene individuals. They tend to be deep thinkers and have a great ability to understand others and see things from different perspectives. Lapis Lazuli is also associated with protection and purification, which may indicate that people born in December often have a strong sense of integrity and morality.

Zircon, another birthstone of December, is associated with traits such as strength, vitality, self-confidence, and determination. People born in December who wear zircon are often considered dynamic, energetic, and ambitious individuals. They tend to be passionate about what they do and pursue their goals with determination and perseverance. Zircon is also associated with protection and healing, which may indicate that people born in December often have a strong sense of integrity and morality.

The birthstone, a gift, many occasions

The birthstone is a particularly endearing gift that offers a multitude of symbolic occasions and memories for a significant moment.

  • For a child, it’s like a little symbolic lucky charm of their birth month, in the form of earrings for a little girl, a bracelet for a little boy, perhaps adorned with the engraved name...
  • For a mother, it’s a gift to give herself or to be given, with a stone symbolizing her child, or stones for each of them. We can imagine a ring supporting one of the birthstones, or several combined rings, one for each child. Or on a bracelet, a brooch... or why not an equivalent object for dad :) This gift will be perfect for Mother’s Day but also for future mothers.
  • A pair of rings, to symbolize your birth month and that of your partner, a beautiful symbol of your relationship.
  • To mark a special event like the month of your dear and tender’s meeting.
  • The achievement of an important exam or a diploma...

The birthstone is a gift that can be worn with pride and always reminds the recipient of a special moment in their life.