There’s something profoundly personal about a birthstone. It’s more than a colour it’s a connection to the month you were born, a symbol of your character, and one of the most thoughtful ways to make a piece of jewellery uniquely yours.
At Jacob Mercari, we’ve built our studio on the belief that the most meaningful jewellery tells a story. Birthstones are one of the oldest ways to do exactly that. Whether you’re designing a custom engagement ring, a gift for someone you love, or a personal piece for yourself, choosing a gemstone tied to your birth month adds a layer of intention that a diamond alone simply cannot replicate.
This guide walks through every birth month, the gemstone colours that represent it, and how we bring those stones to life in custom pieces here in Toronto.
January — Garnet
Colour: Deep Crimson Red
January’s birthstone is the garnet, a gemstone most recognized for its rich, velvety red though it actually comes in nearly every colour of the rainbow. Garnets symbolize strength, devotion, and passion, making them a deeply meaningful choice for jewellery. Their warm depth makes them especially striking in gold settings.
At Jacob Mercari: Garnet pairs beautifully with rose gold and yellow gold for rings, pendants, and earrings. A garnet centre stone in a custom engagement ring is an increasingly popular alternative for those who want something bold and personal.
February — Amethyst
Colour: Violet Purple
Amethyst is one of the most beloved purple gemstones in the world, ranging from pale lilac to deep, regal violet. Historically associated with royalty and clarity of mind, amethyst carries a certain timeless elegance. Its colour is universally flattering and works beautifully in both yellow and white metal settings.
At Jacob Mercari: Amethyst is a stunning choice for a custom halo ring, a pendant necklace, or birthstone stacking rings. Its vibrant colour makes it a showstopper in any setting.
March — Aquamarine
Colour: Pale Sky Blue to Sea Blue
Named for the sea, aquamarine ranges from a soft, icy blue to a deeper teal reminiscent of tropical water. It’s a stone of calm, clarity, and courage. Aquamarine’s exceptional clarity and light-catching brilliance make it one of the most requested coloured stones at Jacob Mercari.
At Jacob Mercari: Aquamarine is a breathtaking alternative to the traditional diamond for engagement rings particularly in elongated cuts like emerald or oval, surrounded by a diamond halo.
April — Diamond
Colour: Colourless (or Every Colour)
April babies are fortunate enough to call the diamond their birthstone. Whether natural or lab-grown diamonds are the ultimate symbol of enduring love, strength, and brilliance. At Jacob Mercari, we source only certified diamonds giving every client complete confidence in the quality and origin of their stone.
At Jacob Mercari: A custom engagement ring centred on your April birthstone is the most personal and meaningful gift of all. Explore our diamond search tool to browse thousands of certified loose stones.
May — Emerald
Colour: Vivid Lush Green
Emeralds are among the rarest and most coveted gemstones in the world. Their vivid green ranging from bright grass green to a deep forest hue has captivated royalty and collectors for centuries. Emeralds symbolize renewal, growth, and harmony. The iconic emerald cut was actually designed specifically to showcase this stone’s natural beauty.
At Jacob Mercari: An emerald centre stone with a custom diamond pavé band creates a jaw-dropping contrast. Emerald is also perfect for three-stone rings, representing past, present, and future.
June — Pearl, Alexandrite & Moonstone
Colour: Creamy White, Colour-Shifting, and Iridescent
June is the only month with three birthstones. Pearls are organic gems of quiet luxury and timeless elegance. Alexandrite is extraordinarily rare it shifts from green in daylight to red in incandescent light. Moonstone glows with a soft, ethereal shimmer called adularescence. Together, they represent June’s complex, luminous spirit.
At Jacob Mercari: June’s diverse birthstones open up a world of creative possibilities. A moonstone set in yellow gold creates a dreamy, artisan aesthetic. Alexandrite, when available, makes for one of the most unique and conversation-worthy custom pieces we create.
July — Ruby
Colour: Vivid Blood Red
The ruby is one of the most historically significant gemstones long considered the king of precious stones. Its intense, passionate red symbolizes love, power, and protection. A high-quality ruby’s colour, often described as ‘pigeon’s blood,’ is one of the most sought-after in the gemstone world. Rubies are rarer than diamonds of comparable quality.
At Jacob Mercari: A ruby centre stone flanked by diamonds is a bold, romantic choice for engagement rings or anniversary pieces. The contrast of red and white is visually striking and deeply symbolic.
August — Peridot, Spinel & Sardonyx
Colour: Lime Green, Vibrant Multi-Colour, and Banded Red-White
August has three birthstones, with peridot being the most recognized a vivid, lime-toned green that is unique in the gem world. Spinel comes in a stunning range of colours including red, pink, blue, and violet, and is gaining popularity as a rare and underrated treasure. Sardonyx, a banded stone of red and white, has ancient roots as a stone of courage.
At Jacob Mercari: Peridot’s bright green pairs beautifully with yellow gold for a warm, summery feel. For something more rare and distinctive, a custom spinel ring is a conversation starter unlike any other.
September — Sapphire
Colour: Royal Blue (and Beyond)
Sapphire is perhaps the most famous coloured gemstone in the world a stone of wisdom, loyalty, and nobility. While deep blue is the most prized variety, sapphires also come in pink, yellow, white, and even ultra-rare Padparadscha (a pinkish-orange). Their hardness (9 on the Mohs scale) makes them ideal for everyday wear.
At Jacob Mercari: The sapphire engagement ring has never been more popular a nod to timeless romance and royal tradition. A custom blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds is one of our most requested designs at Jacob Mercari.
October — Opal & Tourmaline
Colour: Iridescent Rainbow & Pink-to-Green
October’s birthstones are two of the most visually dynamic in existence. Opal is a spectacle unto itself every stone is a one-of-a-kind display of colour that shifts and dances in the light. Tourmaline spans the widest colour range of any gemstone, from deep green and electric blue to hot pink and watermelon bi-colour.
At Jacob Mercari: An opal halo pendant or tourmaline cocktail ring is a statement piece that reflects October’s artistic, expressive energy. These are ideal for clients who want something completely unique and wearable as art.
November — Topaz & Citrine
Colour: Warm Golden Yellow & Honey Orange
November’s stones radiate warmth. Imperial topaz a rich golden-orange is among the most precious of the topaz family. Citrine, a warm yellow to amber quartz, is beloved for its sunny energy and accessibility. Both stones carry associations with joy, abundance, and warmth making them particularly meaningful gifts.
At Jacob Mercari: A citrine or imperial topaz set in yellow gold creates a glowing, radiant look. These stones are perfect for pendants, cocktail rings, and layered earring sets that embody autumn’s warmth.
December — Blue Topaz, Tanzanite & Turquoise
Colour: Icy Blue, Violet-Blue, and Robin’s Egg Blue
December is blessed with three stunning blue birthstones, each with its own personality. Blue topaz is bright and crystal clear. Tanzanite found only in Tanzania is a rare, velvety violet-blue that deepens in candlelight. Turquoise is one of humanity’s oldest gemstones, worn by pharaohs and Indigenous peoples alike for its protective, spiritual significance.
At Jacob Mercari: Tanzanite’s rarity and depth make it one of our most requested coloured stones for custom pieces. A tanzanite solitaire or three-stone ring is an extraordinary gift for a December birthday or the holiday season.
Design Your Birthstone Piece with Jacob Mercari
Every gemstone has a story. Every birth month has a colour. And every piece we create at Jacob Mercari is designed around you your stone, your style, your life.
We work with clients across Canada to source certified loose gemstones and create fully custom designs from scratch. Whether you’re envisioning a birthstone engagement ring, a meaningful gift, or a piece that layers multiple birthstones for a family tribute, we’ll bring it to life with the craftsmanship it deserves.
Ready to begin? Book a complimentary design consultation at jacobmercari.com, or browse our diamond and gemstone search tool to start exploring your options.
“Your birthstone isn’t just a gem. It’s a piece of who you are"
