Birthstones: How to Personalise Your Engagement Ring

Choosing an engagement ring in Melbourne is a deeply personal decision that reflects your unique story and style. One of the most meaningful ways to make your engagement ring truly yours is by incorporating birthstones. These vibrant gems not only add a burst of color but also carry profound personal and symbolic significance.

What are the Birthstones for Each Month

January – Garnet
February – Amethyst
March – Aquamarine
April – Diamond
May – Emerald
June – Pearl or Alexandrite
July – Ruby
August – Peridot
September – Sapphire
October – Tourmaline
November – Topaz or Citrine
December – Tanzanite

The Symbolism of Birthstones

Birthstones are gemstones associated with each month of the year. They are steeped in symbolism, each with various qualities and offering a unique connection to one’s birth month. Adding a birthstone to your engagement ring can infuse it with sentiment, whether you choose your own, your partner’s, or even a stone that holds special meaning in your relationship.

How to add Birthstones into Your Engagement Ring Design

When designing a custom engagement ring, the possibilities are endless. Here are some creative ways to include birthstones:

1. Halo Settings

To enhance the center diamond and infuse a vibrant, personal touch into your engagement ring, consider a design featuring a halo of birthstones. This stunning frame not only accentuates the centre diamond but also introduces a colorful and meaningful twist to the ring. For an eye-catching look that combines beautiful colors, a birthstone halo is a perfect choice. If a full halo isn't your style, explore a cluster design with one or a mix of gemstones. This allows for a unique standout birthstone to shine as part of the arrangement, offering a fresh and personalised alternative to the traditional halo.

2. Centre Stone Statement

For a bold, colourful, and deeply personal statement - consider using your birthstone as the centre stone. For example, a Ruby for July or a Sapphire for September can make for a stunning centerpiece and will be suitable daily wear. If your birthstone holds significant meaning to you and you’re looking for a design to stand out from traditional engagement rings - this is a perfect choice. Not only will your engagement ring be unique, it will hold a strong connection with you. 

3. Accent Side Stones

For something just as exquisite yet a little more understated, explore the possibility of adding birthstones as accent stones. This allows you to incorporate your birthstone within the engagement ring design as a beautiful complement to the centre diamond rather than replacing it entirely. Depending on your desired design, this could be done with the addition of a birthstone as sidestones (eg. framing either side of a diamond in a trilogy design), adding a single stone on the band, or even designing a ring band full of gemstones. These small pops of color can frame the main stone beautifully while incorporating personal significance.

4. Hidden Details

For a subtle touch, include birthstones within more hidden elements of the ring, such as underneath your centre stone (a peekaboo stone), a tiny pave accent on a band or a birthstone placed inside the ring along the band’s inner edge. These ideas are the most popular way to add your birthstone into the engagement ring design. It creates a private, meaningful detail for your eyes only - that only you will and your partner will know about.

Birthstones for each month - What they represent 

Birthstones by month:

January – Garnet: 

Garnets are known for their dark and alluring red colour. With the rarer garnet colour varieties including peach, green, yellow and purple. With a hardness of 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, garnets are relatively durable for jewellery. They are primarily found in India, Australia and China. Garnet symbolises love, commitment, passion, and protection. Historically, it was believed to bring vitality and ward off negative energy, making it a cherished stone in many cultures.

February – Amethyst:

Amethyst is a stunning purple gemstone, ranging in hue from soft lavender to deep violet, and is a variety of quartz. It has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, making it durable for most types of jewellery. Amethysts are primarily mined in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia. This gemstone is associated with calmness, clarity, and spiritual growth. Often considered a symbol of protection and peace, amethyst has been revered throughout history for its supposed ability to ward off intoxication and promote sobriety. Amethyst is a regal purple stone representing clarity, calmness, and wisdom.

March – Aquamarine:

Aquamarine is a light to medium blue or bluish-green gemstone, belonging to the beryl family. With a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, it is highly durable and suitable for a variety of jewellery. It is primarily found in Brazil, Pakistan, and Madagascar. Aquamarine symbolises serenity, courage, and clear communication. Its tranquil blue color is thought to reflect the calming essence of the ocean, making it a popular stone for promoting peace and harmony.

April – Diamond:

Diamonds are famous for their breathtaking brilliance and come in various colors, with white (colorless) being the most coveted. They score a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale, making them the hardest natural substance on Earth. Diamonds are primarily sourced from countries like Australia, Russia, Botswana, and Canada. They symbolise eternal love, strength, and purity, which is why they are the quintessential choice for engagement rings. Their unmatched durability and beauty have made diamonds a timeless treasure for centuries. Diamonds are perhaps the most prized gemstone of them all and a classic choice 

May – Emerald:

Emeralds are admired for their lush green color, ranging from light green to deep, vibrant tones. A member of the beryl family, emerald has a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale but is often fragile due to natural inclusions, known as “jardin.” Emeralds are predominantly mined in Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil. They symbolise wealth, love, rebirth, and fidelity. Long associated with royalty and opulence, emeralds have also been thought to enhance intuition and promote harmony.

June – Pearl or Alexandrite:

Pearls are organic gemstones formed inside mollusks and are celebrated for their lustrous, creamy appearance. They score 2.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale, making them soft and delicate. Cultured pearls are predominantly farmed in China, Japan, and the Philippines. Pearls symbolise purity, wisdom, and innocence. 

Alexandrite, on the other hand, is a rare and color-changing gemstone that shifts from green in daylight to reddish-purple in incandescent light. With a hardness of 8.5 on the Mohs scale, it is durable and valuable. Found mainly in Russia, Sri Lanka, and Brazil, alexandrite symbolizes transformation, luck, and prosperity. Alexandrite’s color-changing properties are believed to evoke creativity and luck.

July – Ruby:

Rubies are highly sought after for their vibrant red hue, ranging from deep blood-red to pinkish-red, with their rich color derived from the presence of chromium. With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, rubies are exceptionally durable and ideal for all types of jewelry. They are primarily mined in Myanmar and Thailand. Ruby symbolises passion, love, and courage, often referred to as the "King of Gemstones." Throughout history, rubies have been associated with vitality, power, and protection, making them one of the most cherished gemstones.

August – Peridot: 

Peridot is a vibrant yellow-green gemstone, formed deep within the Earth's mantle and brought to the surface by volcanic activity. It has a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, making it a moderately durable gemstone. Peridot is primarily mined in Egypt, Myanmar, and the United States. It symbolizes prosperity, good fortune, and renewal. Its bright, cheerful color has long been associated with the warmth of the sun and positive energy. The bright green peridot is said to bring the wearer happiness, and strength.

September – Sapphire:

Sapphires are most famous for their rich blue color, though they also occur in other breathtaking hues of teal, pink, orange, yellow, green and purple. Or a combination of two or more colours - referred to as parti sapphire or mermaid sapphires. With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, sapphires are incredibly durable, making them ideal for everyday wear. They are primarily sourced from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Madagascar. Sapphires symbolise wisdom, truth, and loyalty. Revered as a stone of the heavens, sapphires have long been associated with divine favor and spiritual enlightenment.

October – Tourmaline:

Tourmaline is a versatile gemstone that occurs in an array of colors, from vivid pinks and greens to blues, yellows, and even multi-colored varieties. With a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, it is durable for everyday wear. Tourmaline is primarily found in Brazil, Afghanistan, and Madagascar. It symbolises balance, creativity, and emotional healing. Known as a stone of reconciliation, tourmaline is believed to promote self-confidence and attract positive energy, making it a favorite for both its beauty and protective properties.

November – Topaz or Citrine:

Topaz occurs in a variety of colors, including blue, yellow, pink, and the highly sought-after imperial topaz (a rich orange-red). It has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale, making it a durable choice for jewellery. Topaz is sourced from Brazil, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka. It symbolizes love, affection, and strength. 

Citrine, a yellow variety of quartz, scores 7 on the Mohs scale and is primarily found in Brazil and Madagascar. Citrine symbolises happiness, abundance, and vitality, often referred to as the “merchant’s stone” for its association with wealth and success.
Citrine is often associated with positivity and abundance.

December – Tanzanite: 

Tanzanite blue coloured gemstone varying with soft mesmerising colours from blue purple to violet. It has a hardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, making it slightly softer than other popular gemstones. Tanzanites are only ever discovered at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. They symbolise transformation, intuition, and spiritual growth. These gems bring tranquility providing a calming effect, and are believed to bring success, and spiritual well-being.

Why Personalisation Matters

Adding a birthstone to your engagement ring isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about telling your story. Personalisation transforms a beautiful piece of jewelry into a cherished heirloom that reflects your journey as a couple. Be it a tribute to your birthdays or the month you first met, these details make your ring uniquely yours.

Explore Custom Engagement Rings at Janai

At Janai, we specialise in creating bespoke engagement rings that celebrate your individuality. Our expert designers will work closely with you to craft a ring that tells your story, with the finest gemstones and exceptional craftsmanship.

Let’s bring your vision to life. Explore our custom design services and discover how we can incorporate meaningful elements, like birthstones, into your dream engagement ring. Together, we’ll create a piece that’s as unique and unforgettable as your love story.