Celebrating Life's Journey: Diamond Birthstones in Memorial Jewelry
If you know your zodiac sign, you probably know your birthstone. Just like your astrological sign is connected to the time of year in which you were born, your birthstone is attributed to the specific month of your birth. There are twelve birthstones, one for each month of the year, and like zodiac signs, they hold deep meanings that are connected to cultural traditions, historical context, and personal interpretation.
While the history of birthstones can be traced back to ancient times, the meaning and significance associated with them have evolved over the centuries. In modern times, birthstones are often seen as symbols of identity and personal connection. They are believed to reflect the unique characteristics and traits of individuals born in each respective month, and wearing them is thought to bring good fortune and shield against negative energies or harm.
In this article, we are going to explore the history and symbolism connected to certain birthstones and the ways in which some people wear or display them. We’ll also take a look at how you can use birthstones to accentuate and add further significance to memorial jewelry by forging a link between past and future, birth and death.
The History of Birthstones
The concept of birthstones traces back to ancient civilizations like the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Hebrews. Originally based on zodiac signs and associated calendar months, each stone was thought to embody attributes that influence people born during that period.
Over time, interpretations blended with local folklore and customs. Many cultures attribute protective and lucky qualities to birthstones. Others believe certain gemstones possess healing properties that promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Birthstones are sometimes associated with specific therapeutic benefits, such as calming anxiety, enhancing clarity of thought, or boosting energy levels. In astrology and spiritual practices, birthstones are linked to planetary alignments, zodiac signs, and celestial influences. They are believed to resonate with cosmic energies and support personal growth and transformation.
In 1912, the American National Association of Jewelers sought to standardize birthstones, publishing an official chart that is still used today. This modern list differs slightly from the traditional, including only transparent gems. The changes made it easier for jewelers to create rings and other jewelry more suited to modern tastes. While modern associations have replaced some earlier gemstones, birthstones have endured and still hold a significant place in our culture as symbols of the eternal cycle of birth, growth, death, and renewal.
Birthstones by Month
Here is a list of all twelve months and their corresponding birthstones:
January Birthstone - Garnet
Garnet is known for its deep red color and remarkable clarity. It represents January due to its association with strength, protection, and enduring love, making it a fitting gemstone for the beginning of the year.
February Birthstone - Amethyst
Amethyst exhibits a rich purple hue ranging from pale lilac to deep violet. It symbolizes February with its association with clarity of mind, inner strength, and spiritual insight, aligning with the introspective nature of the month.
March Birthstone - Aquamarine
Aquamarine showcases a serene blue-green color reminiscent of the ocean. It represents March with its association with tranquility, courage, and clarity, mirroring the renewal and rejuvenation often associated with the arrival of spring.
April Birthstone - Diamond
Diamond is renowned for its dazzling brilliance, unmatched durability, and timeless elegance. It symbolizes April as the epitome of purity, strength, and eternal love, reflecting the fresh beginnings and enduring commitments often celebrated in the month.
May Birthstone - Emerald
Emerald captivates with its lush green color and exceptional clarity. It represents May with its association with growth, vitality, and prosperity, mirroring the vibrant energy and blooming landscapes of springtime.
June Birthstone - Alexandrite
Alexandrite displays a mesmerizing color-changing effect, shifting from green to red under different lighting conditions. It symbolizes June with its rarity, versatility, and adaptability, reflecting the multifaceted nature of individuals born in this month.
July Birthstone - Ruby
Ruby exudes a fiery red hue and exceptional brilliance. It represents July with its association with passion, vitality, and courage, mirroring the warmth and intensity of the summer season.
August Birthstone - Peridot
Peridot dazzles with its vibrant lime-green color and unique clarity. It symbolizes August with its association with joy, abundance, and renewal, reflecting the verdant landscapes and sunny skies of late summer.
September Birthstone - Sapphire
Sapphire captivates with its deep blue color and remarkable clarity. It represents September with its association with wisdom, loyalty, and inner peace, mirroring the transition to autumn and the pursuit of knowledge and truth.
October Birthstone - Tourmaline
Tourmaline comes in a variety of colors, including pink, green, and blue. It symbolizes October with its association with creativity, inspiration, and emotional balance, reflecting the kaleidoscope of colors found in nature during this season.
November Birthstone - Topaz
Topaz showcases a range of colors, including yellow, orange, and brown. It represents November with its association with abundance, good fortune, and healing, mirroring the harvest season and the spirit of gratitude and generosity.
December Birthstone - Blue Topaz
Blue Topaz exhibits a captivating sky-blue hue reminiscent of a clear winter day. It symbolizes December with its association with serenity, clarity, and inner peace, reflecting the quiet beauty and contemplative spirit of the holiday season.
The Significance of Birthstones
Beyond their ties to calendar months, birthstones hold deeper personal meaning. Many feel a mystical connection to their stone, which is believed by some to be a guiding force that imparts unique virtues and reminds us of our better qualities. Individuals often wear birthstone jewelry to harness their gem's symbolic powers.
This sentimental significance also makes birthstones a popular gift. Family and friends present them in recognition of important life events like graduations, weddings, and births. Inherited birthstone jewelry becomes treasured heirlooms passed down through the generations.
The custom of gifting birthstones continues today because it honors personal history. Birthstones tell stories, linking people to past generations while celebrating new life.
Memorial Diamonds with Birthstones
At Eterneva, we offer a variety of ways to customize your memorial jewelry. We can incorporate birthstones into a unique piece as accents alongside the cremation diamond we create for you, adding another layer of personal meaning to an already sentimental piece. We also offer numerous diamond color options, allowing you to represent the color of your birthstone within the diamond itself. Take for example, Eterneva customers Melinda and Melissa who each created stunning green Eterneva Diamonds grown from the ashes of their parents, by mixing the hues of their parents' birthstones - topaz (yellow) for their dad and aquamarine (blue) for their mom.
Birthstones and memorial diamonds are a powerful pair. Together, they symbolize the profound journey of the circle of life, encapsulating both the beginning and end stages with grace and significance. Birthstones, representing the moment of birth, celebrate life's inception and embody the joy, hope, and promise of new beginnings. On the other hand, memorial diamonds, created from the ashes of loved ones after their passing, represent a profound transformation, symbolizing the enduring legacy and eternal presence of those we hold dear. Combining birthstones and memorial diamonds in a single piece of jewelry offers a special tribute to the interconnectedness of life's cycles.
For instance, you could have our design specialists craft a pendant using the memorial diamond as the focal point, surrounded by the birthstones of the loved one who became the diamond, their spouse, and their children. Or you could create a ring that features the memorial diamond at its center, flanked by the birthstones of the individual's children, symbolizing the continuation of their legacy through future generations. Or you could grow a stunning blue memorial diamond to commemorate a December birth and the quiet beauty of blue topaz.
Personalize Your Memorial Jewelry
At Eterneva, we believe memorial diamonds should feel as unique as your loved one. That’s why our scientists, designers, and artisans work closely with you to design jewelry that captures the remarkable life each piece represents.
Birthstones and diamonds share symbolic power—one representing life's beginnings, the other its enduring connections. At Eterneva, we bring these two meaningful gems together in memorial jewelry that celebrates legacies and tells timeless love stories. If you want to memorialize someone special, contact us to explore designing custom jewelry accented with their diamond birthstone.