| Sometimes, it can be harder than expected to | | | | birthday stone. The pearl symbolises health |
| find that perfect present for her - whether | | | | and longevity, and has traditionally been an |
| the 'her' in question is a close female | | | | emblem of feminine regenerative power - an |
| relative, your wife or a girlfriend that | | | | aspect of this particular birthstone that's |
| you've been with for several years. Maybe you | | | | sure to have its female recipients beaming |
| got her a necklace for her Valentine's Day | | | | with glee. |
| and a pair of earrings for Christmas - but | | | | |
| don't feel that you've exhausted the gift | | | | The strong red of the ruby, July's designated |
| possibilities of jewellery. Birthstones, for | | | | birthstone, has long been associated with the |
| instance, can make a fantastic - and unique - | | | | passion of love. But the birthstone ruby is |
| birthday present that will lend a wonderful | | | | more than this - it also stands for |
| personal touch to her birthday. | | | | contentment, freedom and charity. If your |
| | | | special someone has a birthday in August, |
| Each month of the year is represented by a | | | | you'll be able to offer them the light green |
| separate birthstone, each of which has its | | | | peridot, a birthstone that is said to |
| own distinct meaning. And the use of the | | | | traditionally bring its wearer peace and good |
| birthstone as a symbol of good luck on one's | | | | luck. What's more, the peridot is a symbol of |
| birthday has a history which is said to | | | | marital happiness - so if your wedding |
| stretch back as far as the first century. In | | | | anniversary is in August as well, the peridot |
| 1912, the American national association of | | | | will have a rich double meaning for your |
| Jewellers - the Jewellers of America - | | | | wife. |
| created a standardised birthstone calendar | | | | |
| which is now widely used across the world. | | | | While for many, September may signal the |
| | | | beginning of the year's short days and long |
| People born in January have the garnet as | | | | nights, people with birthdays in September |
| their birthstone, a deep red stone that was | | | | will love the feeling of having the sapphire |
| originally used in thirteenth century as an | | | | as their birthstone. One of the most |
| insect repellent and a guard against evil | | | | beautiful blue jewels, the sapphire is |
| spirits! Essentially, the garnet birthstone | | | | conventionally believed to attract the favour |
| is said to represent constancy, a symbol of | | | | of the Gods, while it represents clear |
| faith and devotion. The February birthstone - | | | | thinking in the birthstone context. Opals |
| the delicate purple amethyst - on the other | | | | will adorn the skin of people with birthdays |
| hand, was once considered by the Greeks as an | | | | in October; opals are unique in that they're |
| effective antidote against drunkenness! | | | | available in a variety of colours and hues, |
| Despite this association, the amethyst | | | | and symbolise hope. |
| birthstone is now seen to infer sincerity. | | | | |
| | | | November birthdays take the topaz as their |
| Those born in March will have the benefit of | | | | birthstone. This orangey-brown jewel has long |
| the clear blue aquamarine as their | | | | been seen as the gemstone of spiritual |
| birthstone, a precious jewel that symbolises | | | | rejuvenation and fidelity. Ultimately, people |
| courage - a feature that perhaps dates back | | | | born in December will be able to take |
| to the stone's use as a "magical" antidote to | | | | pleasure in the prophylactic qualities of the |
| poison in the Middle Ages. But April | | | | turquoise stone, a blue gem that is said to |
| birthdays will enjoy the luxury of having the | | | | bring prosperity to its owner - something |
| world's most stunning jewel, the diamond, as | | | | that's sure to come in handy at Christmas. |
| their birthstone. Diamonds have been a symbol | | | | |
| of purity and innocence since their first | | | | Birthstones can be set in a variety of |
| discovery, with attachments to divine beings | | | | jewellery type and in a range of different |
| across the world. If your loved one is born | | | | types of metals. So whether you're seeking |
| in April, a diamond is sure to show them how | | | | sapphires set in white gold earrings for your |
| special they are. | | | | girlfriend's birthday in September, or you're |
| | | | keen to find a diamond-set gold necklace for |
| People with a birthday in May will take | | | | your mother's 50th birthday next April, |
| pleasure in the rich green emerald, a symbol | | | | you'll definitely be able to find birthstone |
| of love and success, as their birthstone, | | | | jewellery to fit your budget and your special |
| while June birthdays will be able to enjoy | | | | someone's personal tastes. |
| the soft hues of the pearl as their unique | | | | |