Birthstone Engagement Rings

Engagement rings are a celebration of a couple’s love and a symbol of the lifetime commitment they’re making to each other. And just as every couple and relationship is unique, non-traditional and non-diamond engagement rings are becoming ever more popular as a way to express the uniqueness and personalities of the couple.

One such incredible way to celebrate your special love is with a birthstone engagement ring. Adding that extra touch of meaning and significance is easy to do with a birthstone engagement ring, and comes with certain benefits when compared to a traditional diamond engagement ring. Below, we’ll uncover the special considerations that come with using birthstones in your engagement ring, and take a trip through each month for some colorful inspiration!

Why a Birthstone Engagement Ring?

Birthstones cover an array of precious and semi-precious gemstones and have been loved as jewelry for centuries. From ancient to modern times, birthstones are gemstones that are associated with a certain month. So when someone is born within that month, that stone becomes their birthstone.

As with all gemstones, each birthstone carries special meaning and can develop into having a certain significance for those born in that month. Since an engagement ring is one of the most special pieces of jewelry most will wear, having one feature a gemstone is an incredible way to add even more thoughtfulness to the occasion.

When it comes to birthstone engagement rings, they will most likely be more budget-friendly than diamonds. Because of this, it’s also much easier to consider a larger stone for anyone who wants a truly spectacular standout center gemstone.

As you consider a birthstone engagement ring, one key factor to consider is that each stone will have a different strength and durability. Diamonds rate a 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, so they are virtually indestructible and a fantastic option for a piece of jewelry that is typically worn every day and expected to last a lifetime.

All the birthstones on this list will range from about a 2.5 to a 10 on the scale. Some gemstones may not be durable enough to serve as your main gemstone, but could be incorporated into your ring as accent side stones, on the band itself, or in other creative ways.

This all means you’ll want to work with a trusted jeweler to design and create your engagement ring. They will be able to give you the best information about the strength and durability of each birthstone you see. They’ll also advise on the most optimum setting choices to protect your piece so you can wear and enjoy it every day.

Birthstone Engagement Rings: Month to Month

January: Garnet

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.

February: Amethyst

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.’

March: Aquamarine

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.

April: Diamond

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.

May: Emerald

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.

June: Pearl or Alexandrite

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.

July: Ruby

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.

August: Peridot

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.

September: Sapphire

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.

October: Opal or Pink Tourmaline

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.

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.

November: Citrine or Topaz

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.

December: Turquoise, Tanzanite or Zircon

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.

A rainbow of color options paired with unique, magical, and interesting stone characteristics will make for a lovely ring every single time. Birthstones are a perfect place to turn when looking for an engagement ring you’ll have for a lifetime that has layers of meaning and personal significance.