Your birthstone is the gem assigned to the month you were born, and for centuries it has been worn as a quiet talisman: for luck, protection and remembering where you began. Set into fine jewellery, it becomes something more personal than a trend and more lasting than a gift card.

At Saint Valentine, we think birthstones sit where two kinds of love meet. The first is the love you keep for yourself, a stone chosen for you  The second is love shared: the stones that belong to your child, your mother, your oldest friend, gathered into one piece you carry with you. Below is a guide to the birthstone for every month, what each signifies, and how to wear yours.

January: Garnet

Deep, wine-red garnet takes its name from the Latin for pomegranate, after the seed-like colour of its crystals. Travellers once carried it for protection, and today it is read as a stone of constancy and warmth, suited to anyone who loves steadily rather than loudly.

February: Amethyst

The ancient Greeks named amethyst for the idea of being sober, and wore it against the excesses of the table. Its violet is calm by nature, and the stone is associated with clarity, composure and a settled mind, a fitting choice for quieter forms of self-care.

March: Aquamarine

Aquamarine means seawater in Latin, and its pale, clear blue is exactly that. Sailors carried it for safe passage, and it has since come to stand for calm, honesty and easy conversation.

April: White Topaz

Revered by ancient civilisations, Topaz was believed by the Greeks to bestow strength and by Europeans to offer protection against negative influences. In its luminous white form, April's birthstone represents purity, clarity and the promise of new beginnings.

May: Emerald

Emerald's green has been prized since the time of the pharaohs and has long symbolised renewal, wisdom and growth. As the stone of May, it carries the feeling of early spring, and looks especially striking against warm gold.

June: Moonstone

In ancient Roman mythology, Moonstone was believed to be formed from solidified rays of moonlight. Revered for its ethereal glow and connection to lunar cycles, June's birthstone symbolises intuition, feminine energy and the beauty of transformation.

July: Ruby

Ruby takes its name from the Latin for red, and in Sanskrit it was called the king of gems. It has long been linked with courage, vitality and devotion, and its colour makes it one of the most confident stones to wear.

August: Peridot

Peridot is one of the few gems found in only one colour, a fresh olive to lime green. Said to ease worry and steady the emotions, it is associated with compassion and balance.

September: Sapphire

Sapphire was long seen as a piece of the sky, worn by kings and clergy as a sign of wisdom, truth and loyalty. September's deep blue gemstone embodies sincerity, celebrating connections that stand the test of time.

October: Pink Tourmaline

Derived from the Sinhalese word toramalli, meaning "stone with mixed colours", Tourmaline has long been admired for its extraordinary spectrum of hues. Historically associated with artistic inspiration, October's pink variety symbolises compassion, tenderness and unconditional love.

November: Citrine

Named for the French word for lemon, citrine has a luminous and unique pale amber hue. Sometimes called the merchant's stone, it is associated with joy, optimism and abundance.

December: Blue Topaz

Believed by ancient Greeks to impart strength, Topaz was later treasured as a protective stone thought to dispel anger and encourage harmony. In its tranquil blue form, December's birthstone symbolises peaceful reflection, honest communication and clarity of thought.