Deborah Chan
Birthstones are a popular choice for engagement rings, with many couples breaking away from traditional diamond rings. Using a birthstone for an engagement or wedding ring is a great way to personalise the ring and add symbolic meaning. Each month has a different birthstone, with some months having multiple birthstones. While some birthstones are durable enough for daily wear, others are not, so it's important to consider the hardness of the stone and the setting of the ring. Some popular birthstones for engagement rings include garnet, amethyst, pearl, alexandrite, ruby, peridot, and opal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Personalised and symbolic | Birthstones are a personalised and symbolic choice for wedding rings |
| Individuality | Birthstones add a unique and individual touch to a wedding ring |
| Durability | Some birthstones are not durable enough for daily wear |
| Cost | The cost of a birthstone ring depends on the setting, carat weight, and metal chosen |
| Design | Birthstones can be incorporated into the design of a wedding ring as the main stone, accent stones, or in the wedding band |
| Meaning | Each birthstone has a specific meaning and characteristic that reflects the wearer's personality |
| History | The concept of birthstones dates back to the 16th century |
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What You'll Learn
Birthstones as a unique, personalised choice
Birthstones are a beautiful way to celebrate your partner's birth month and add a touch of uniqueness and personal symbolism to your wedding ring. The concept of birthstones dates back to the 16th century and has evolved over time, with each month now featuring one to three birthstones associated with it. Each stone holds a specific meaning and symbolises different myths and cultural histories, allowing you to imbue your ring with a sense of individuality.
When choosing a birthstone for your wedding ring, it is important to consider the durability of the stone, as not all birthstones are equally resilient enough for daily wear. The Mohs Hardness Scale can be used to determine the toughness of a gemstone, with diamonds, for example, scoring a perfect 10. Softer gemstones like opals, pearls, and moonstones will need a more protective setting, such as a bezel or prong design, to ensure they withstand everyday wear and tear.
However, there are ways to include softer birthstones in your ring design without sacrificing wear. You can incorporate them as accent stones or on the band of your ring, pairing them with a more durable central gemstone. This way, you can still enjoy the unique appearance and symbolic meaning of your birthstone while ensuring the ring's longevity.
Some popular birthstone choices include the garnet, which is the birthstone for January and symbolises loyalty and devotion, and the amethyst, associated with February, known as a healing stone with special spiritual power. For those born in June, pearls symbolise purity, generosity, and new beginnings, while alexandrite, a rare variety of chrysoberyl, offers durability and a unique personality with its strong pleochroism.
Ultimately, birthstones provide a unique and personalised option for your wedding ring, allowing you to celebrate your partner's birth month and add a thoughtful touch to your jewellery. With careful consideration of the stone's durability and setting, you can create a ring that is both meaningful and long-lasting.
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The durability of different birthstones
While birthstones can be used for wedding rings, it is important to note that not all birthstones are durable enough for daily wear. The Mohs Hardness Scale, which measures the ease of scratching a gem with a harder substance, can be used to determine the suitability of a birthstone for a wedding ring. Generally, anything above 7.5 on the Mohs Scale is considered suitable.
Garnet (January)
Garnet, the birthstone for January, is a red gemstone that represents love and passion. While it is commonly associated with the colour red, garnet can also be found in other colours, such as the almandine garnet, which is a very common red gemstone.
Amethyst February or August
Amethyst is rated 7 on the Mohs scale, making it less suitable for daily wear as a wedding ring. It is a purple gemstone that is highly valued for its deep, rich colour. Amethyst is also a cousin of citrine and part of the quartz family.
Aquamarine (March)
Aquamarine is a dreamily azure gemstone that can be used as a unique and trendy centre stone for a birthstone engagement ring. It is often paired with diamonds to add a pop of colour.
Diamond (April)
Diamond is the hardest and most durable gemstone, making it an excellent choice for a wedding ring. It is also a traditional stone commonly used in engagement rings.
Emerald or Opal (May or October)
Emerald and opal are considered fragile gemstones, making them less suitable for daily wear.
Pearl, Alexandrite, or Moonstone (June)
Pearls are easily damaged and not recommended for daily wear. Alexandrite is another unique birthstone option for June, but its durability is not mentioned.
Ruby (July)
Ruby is exceptionally durable and is one of the most popular traditional jewellery stones.
Peridot or Spinel (August)
Spinel is a recent addition to the list of modern birthstones. However, there is limited information on the durability of peridot or spinel.
Sapphire (September)
Sapphire is a classic blue gemstone that can be used as an alternative to diamond in engagement rings.
Topaz or Citrine (November)
Topaz is available in various colours, including golden and blue. Citrine, a recent addition to the list of modern birthstones, is a durable and readily available gem that has gained popularity in recent years.
Tanzanite, Zircon, Turquoise, or Blue Topaz (December)
Tanzanite, turquoise, and zircon are not hardy enough for daily wear. Blue topaz is another birthstone option for December, but its durability is not specifically mentioned.
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The Mohs Hardness Scale and its impact on gemstone selection
Using birthstones for wedding rings is a matter of personal preference. While some birthstones are not durable enough for daily wear, others can make excellent engagement rings, delivering the same stunning brilliance as diamonds. The Mohs Hardness Scale can be used as a guide to determine the suitability of a particular gemstone for a wedding ring.
The Mohs Hardness Scale is a relative measure of a mineral or gemstone's resistance to being scratched. It was developed in 1812 by German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs and is used to quickly assess and classify minerals in laboratory and field settings. The scale ranges from 1 (soft talc) to 10 (hard diamond). The higher the ranking, the more scratch-resistant the stone. For example, sapphire has a hardness value of 9 and can scratch any mineral rated 1 through 8 but cannot scratch a diamond, which is rated 10.
The Mohs scale is an essential tool for gemologists and enthusiasts when identifying gemstones and preventing them from becoming damaged. While it is not a perfect scale, it is still widely used as a first-line method for understanding how minerals resist being scratched. It is important to note that the scale only measures resistance to scratching and not a mineral's overall durability or toughness against impacts. For example, while diamond is the hardest gemstone, it is quite brittle and can break easily when struck. On the other hand, softer minerals might better withstand impacts without fracturing.
When selecting a gemstone for a wedding ring, it is crucial to consider its hardness and durability. While a higher Mohs rating indicates greater scratch resistance, other factors such as toughness, stability, and cut also play a role in the ultimate durability of a gemstone. Toughness refers to a mineral's resistance to breaking and chipping, which is influenced by its atomic structure. Stability refers to its resistance to chemicals, heat, light, and humidity, which can also affect the gemstone's appearance over time. For example, prolonged light exposure can discolor citrine, amethyst, topaz, and other stones, while extreme temperature changes can cause fractures in diamonds.
Additionally, certain gemstone cuts may influence vulnerability. Sharp edges or points may be more prone to chipping, while a well-cut gemstone can enhance durability by reducing stress points and properly fitting the stone in its setting. It is also important to practice proper care and maintenance to preserve the condition of the gemstone. This includes removing jewellery before activities that may cause exposure to chemicals or impact and avoiding the application of certain products when wearing the jewellery.
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Birthstone settings and protective measures
Birthstones can be used for wedding rings, but not all birthstones are durable enough for daily wear. The Mohs Hardness Scale measures the hardness of a gemstone on a scale of 1–10, with diamonds scoring a perfect 10. For engagement rings, a hardness rating of at least 7 is recommended to ensure durability for everyday wear.
Some birthstones, like emeralds, opals, tanzanites, turquoise, pearls, and moonstones, are fragile and prone to scratches and chips. If you have your heart set on a softer gemstone, consider a protective setting like a bezel or halo setting to reduce the risk of damage. Bezel settings have gained popularity as they offer more protection from everyday elements by surrounding the stone on all sides. Another trendy option is the east-west setting, where the stone sits horizontally on the finger. If you're torn between diamonds and birthstones, a halo setting can be a good choice, where the symbolic stone is surrounded by a border of sparkle.
If you want to use a softer gemstone as the main stone, you can use a more protective setting or include them as smaller accent side stones or on the band of your ring, using a more durable gem for the main stone. This way, any wear and tear on the smaller accent stones will be less noticeable and more manageable.
Consulting an expert jeweller is recommended to determine whether the birthstone fits your budget and lifestyle. They can advise on the best setting to protect your piece so you can wear and enjoy it every day.
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The symbolic meaning of birthstones
Birthstones are a collection of precious gems that correlate with one's birth month. The concept of birthstones dates back to the 16th century and has evolved over time. Each gem traditionally holds a different meaning thought to be true to its wearer. Birthstone symbolism developed over hundreds or even thousands of years of culture, tradition, and legends.
The January birthstone, garnet, has long symbolized peace, prosperity, and health. It is believed to offer protection to travelers and strengthen bonds of friendship. It also symbolizes faith, love, and courage and is said to protect children from nightmares. The red gemstone is known to gemologists as almandine garnet.
The February birthstone, amethyst, is a royal purple variety of quartz. Once reserved for royalty, it symbolizes clarity of mind and emotional balance. Amethysts are believed to have calming properties and the power to prevent intoxication. The ancient Greeks believed that the gem guarded against drunkenness, earning its name from the Greek word "amethystos", meaning "sober".
The March birthstone, aquamarine, is believed to promote creativity, hope, self-expression, and courage. It boosts love, youth, good health, and overall happiness. Early sailors believed that aquamarine talismans protected them at sea, helping them to clearly remember their loved ones when they were far away.
April's birthstone is the diamond, a symbol of everlasting love and courage. In ancient Greece, diamonds were believed to protect their wearers from insanity. In Hindu mythology, the Sanskrit word for diamond is vajra, meaning "lightning", and was the weapon of Indra, the king of gods.
May's birthstone is the emerald, believed to cure ailments and allow its wearer to see into the future. Emeralds symbolize rebirth and foresight and have been cherished since ancient times for their lush green colour. They are believed to bring wisdom, growth, and protection to their wearers.
June has two birthstones: pearl and alexandrite. Pearls symbolize purity and wisdom. Ancient Greeks believed that pearls were the hardened tears of joy from Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Alexandrite, famous for its colour-changing properties, symbolizes balance and adaptation.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is okay to use birthstones for your wedding ring. Birthstones can add a personalised and symbolic touch to your ring. However, not all birthstones are durable enough for daily wear, so it is important to consider the qualities, characteristics and wearability of the stone.
The durability of precious gemstones is ranked using the Mohs Scale of Hardness. Diamonds, for example, are the toughest natural substance known and score a perfect 10 on the scale, whereas pearls score only a 2.5 and are incredibly easy to scratch.
Rubies, sapphires, and alexandrite are all durable birthstones.
If you have your heart set on including softer birthstones, you can include them as smaller accent side stones or on the band of your ring and use a more durable gem for your main stone. You can also use a more protective setting such as a bezel or prong to protect softer gemstones.
