Birthstone Engagement Rings

Garnets gained their name from the Latin word granatus, meaning ‘seed like,’ in reference to a pomegranate. The pomegranate served as the fruit of the new year in ancient Rome and Greece, so it’s only suitable that this vibrant, dark red stone sits at the top of the year.

While the deep red garnet is the most well known and popular version of this gemstone, garnets also come in a variety of colors including orange, green, and yellow. The meaning behind garnets couldn’t be more perfect for an engagement ring as they symbolize loyalty and devotion.

Typically a regal shade of purple, amethyst is said to have been worn by St. Valentine himself in a ring with a generous stone carved in the shape of Cupid. The gemstone is said to bring peace of mind and contentment to the wearer.

Amethyst is a variety of quartz and is available in a range of purplish hues, although its deeper violet shade is the most well-known. For thousands of years, amethyst has been collected and worn, and today, it’s often considered as having a special spiritual power as a popular ‘healing stone.’

Coming from the Latin phrase meaning ‘water of the sea,’ aquamarine comes with a fantastic mythology. It is believed that this stunning blue stone was gifted to Neptune, god of the sea, by mermaids. Hence the name and the association with the ocean. Sailors would carry aquamarines during seafaring journeys, and the gemstone is a favorite of Queen Elizabeth II.

Aquamarine is incredibly durable and typically can be found in larger sizes. Known as a symbol of trust, hope, and devotion, it carries perfect meaning for an engagement ring. Another lovely feature of an aquamarine gemstone is that most cut gems are eye-clean, so their clarity really will seem like staring into clear, blue waters.

There's a good reason that diamonds are a staple as engagement ring gemstones. Derived from the Greek word adamas, meaning ‘the unconquerable,’ a diamond with that meaning of enduring strength is a wonderful symbol of love.

To capture a more personalized and unique feel, there are plenty of diamond options that will deliver. Diamonds span the spectrum coming in a variety of colors, as well as rough and rustic and salt and pepper varieties. So there’s certainly the opportunity to capture a more unique, personalized, and meaningful look with a diamond engagement ring.

Emeralds have held the fascination of jewel lovers for centuries, from Cleopatra to Jacqueline Kennedy. The stunning green stone symbolizes faithfulness and enduring love, making it a perfect statement as an engagement ring.

Ranging from yellowish-green to blue-green, the most popular and well-known color is a rich, deep green. Emeralds are known for their inclusions that create their unique look. That, combined with being a slightly softer stone, means you’ll want to be extra selective with the type of setting for the stone.

Unlike all other birthstones on this list, pearls come from the water - not the earth - and are made by living organisms. Known to represent qualities like purity, generosity, and new beginnings, pearls are a lovely symbol of a lasting relationship. But you’ll need to be extra careful with pearls as they rate the softest of all gemstones on the birthstone chart.

Another choice for June’s birthstone is an alexandrite. A rare variety of the mineral chrysoberyl, alexandrite is strongly pleochroic, meaning it shows a bit of color-changing magic. Their shift usually exhibits as a green in sunlight and a purplish-red in incandescent light - a truly unique melding of personalities in a gemstone.

Rubies hold a special spot as a symbol of love and passion, perfect for the love affair marked by a special engagement ring. July’s birthstone has been coveted for centuries and across cultures, appearing in some of the most beautiful pieces. Rubies vary from orangey-red to somewhat purplish-red, but the most coveted hue is a medium-dark red.

Another benefit of rubies is that they are extremely resilient, strong, and durable. Falling just below a diamond on the Mohs Hardness Scale, rubies are ideal for the daily wear of an engagement ring and will surely last a lifetime.

This beautiful gemstone has an incredible and diverse history. Ancient Egyptians revered the olive-green peridot as the ‘gem of the sun,’ and Hawaiians believed that it originated from the tears of Pele, goddess of the volcano.

Peridot is always green but with some variety as to the intensity of the shade. As a symbol of strength, peridot is also thought to hold powers of enlightenment and friendship. Fitting for any engagement, peridot is another slightly softer stone, so more consideration of the setting is key to its longevity.

Sapphires have a long and varied history with many meanings and powers prescribed to this beautiful gemstone over time. Mainly revered as a symbol of wisdom and clarity, sapphires have also symbolized the heavens to many ancient cultures. They’ve also at times been believed to protect the wearer from harm and empower them with innocence and good health.

This beautiful gem is just as hard and durable as a ruby, coming from the same mineral species of corundum, making them an ideal choice for an engagement ring. The options of color are also wide, coming in white, yellow, orange, green, purple, pink, and of course, blue, allowing for a very personalized and unique expression of your relationship.

Opal holds a kaleidoscope of color inside its depths, a milky stone featuring splashes of red, green, blue and purple. In ancient and medieval cultures, opal was believed to be the most powerful gem of all with healing and therapeutic powers. A bit on the softer side, opals will require some extra care over time, but offer a powerful punch of unique beauty for an engagement ring. We don't recommend them as a center stone, however we have worked with clients to incorporate them as side or accent stones.

Pink tourmaline is the alternate birthstone for October. Often mistaken for a ruby, pink tourmaline is far less red than rubies, and because of its chemical composition, it is more vibrant and transparent than a ruby as well. They are known for bringing joy, happiness, and love into the wearer’s life.

Coming from the French word citron, meaning lemon, citrine is a yellow variety of quartz. A beautiful transparent stone, it ranges in color from a pale pastel to golden yellow to honey to a soft brown. Sometimes containing sparkly inclusions, citrine has long been heralded for its warming effect from its vibrant color.

Topaz comes in a variety of colors with the most popular and valuable being an orangish-yellow variety, dark pinkish-red, or orange-red tone. Cultures throughout time have believed topaz delivered strength, long life, and intelligence to the wearer. As a stronger stone, it would also be quite durable as an engagement ring.

The month of December is the only one with three recognized gemstones for your selection as a birthstone. From the blue to bluish-purple of tanzanite, to the intense blue-green marbling of turquoise, to the rainbow of options of zircon, there’s truly a color and look for everyone born this month.

Tanzanite is relatively new to the world of gemstones, discovered in 1967 in the country of Tanzania. The blue of a tanzanite is often tinged with a violet hue and described as velvety and rich. It’s a softer stone, so special care needs to be taken with its wear and setting choices.

Turquoise has been heralded as a talisman of good luck for centuries. It has a bright, opaque surface, often featuring a marbling effect of vibrant blue-green hues. It’s widely thought that turquoise brings peace to the home and protects against negative energy.

Zircon has a long, storied past amongst many cultures with no clear consensus on where the name for the stone originated. This gemstone is available in a broad color palette with its colorless form often being confused for a diamond. Blue zircon is most often selected to represent December’s birthstone to complete the trio of blue gemstones for the month.