Birthstone Guides and Stone Education

Every gemstone has a story. This library covers the stones we work with at Erin Gallagher Jewelry — their physical properties, meaning, history, care, and how they compare to each other. Whether you are buying for a birthday, a wedding anniversary, or yourself, the guides below give you the full picture before you shop.

Looking for jewelry by birth month? Visit our Birthstone Jewelry hub to shop by month or by jewelry type.

Stone Guides by Month

Each guide below covers meaning, Mohs hardness, chakra associations, zodiac connections, how the stone is treated (if at all), care instructions, and what to look for when buying.

• Garnet — January Birthstone Guide — Deep red, Mohs 6.5–7.5, almost always untreated. Root Chakra. Capricorn and Aquarius.
• Amethyst — February Birthstone Guide — Purple quartz, Mohs 7, natural color from iron. Crown and Third Eye Chakra. Aquarius and Pisces.
• Aquamarine — March Birthstone Guide — Pale blue beryl, Mohs 7.5–8, heat-treated to enhance color. Throat Chakra. Pisces and Aries.
• April Birthstone Comparison — Diamond, White Topaz, or White Sapphire — All three April options compared side by side.
• Chrysoprase — May Alternative Birthstone Guide — Apple-green chalcedony, Mohs 6–7, color from nickel. Heart Chakra. Taurus and Gemini.
• Alexandrite — June Birthstone Guide — Color-change chrysoberyl, Mohs 8.5, one of the rarest stones. Heart Chakra. Gemini and Cancer.
• Ruby — July Birthstone Guide — Red corundum, Mohs 9, same mineral as sapphire. Heart and Root Chakra. Cancer and Leo.
• Peridot — August Birthstone Guide — Olive green, Mohs 6.5–7, almost always untreated. Heart Chakra. Leo and Virgo.
• Sapphire — September Birthstone Guide — Blue corundum, Mohs 9, same mineral as ruby. Throat and Third Eye Chakra. Virgo and Libra.
• Opal Care Guide — October Birthstone — How to clean, wear, and store opal jewelry. Mohs 5.5–6.5. Libra and Scorpio.
• Tourmaline — October Birthstone Guide — Full color range, Mohs 7–7.5, untreated. Heart Chakra. Libra and Scorpio.
• Citrine — November Birthstone Guide — Warm yellow-orange quartz, Mohs 7, usually heat-treated amethyst. Solar Plexus Chakra. Scorpio and Sagittarius.
• Swiss Blue Topaz — December Birthstone Guide — Vivid medium blue, Mohs 8, irradiated and heat-treated. Throat Chakra. Sagittarius and Capricorn.
• Zircon vs. Cubic Zirconia — December Birthstone Guide — Why these two are not the same, and why zircon deserves more credit.

Buying Guides

Not sure whether to buy natural or lab-created? Not sure which stone is right for a specific budget? These guides answer the comparison questions we hear most often.

• Sapphire: Natural vs. Lab-Created — What to Know — Same corundum, different origin. How they differ in price, inclusions, and long-term value.
• Emerald: Natural vs. Lab-Created — What to Know — Chemically identical, different appearance and price. How to choose.
• Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamonds — Same hardness and brilliance. How they compare on price, value, and ethics.
• Diamond, White Topaz, or White Sapphire — Which April Birthstone Should You Buy? — Three colorless options compared for hardness, price, and everyday wearability.
• Zircon vs. Cubic Zirconia — Why They Are Not the Same — One of the most common gemstone mix-ups, explained clearly.

Care Guides

Most gemstones are tougher than people think — but a few need extra care. These guides cover the stones that get the most questions about cleaning, storage, and everyday wear.

• How to Care for Opal Jewelry — Daily wear by jewelry type, water safety, how to clean, storage, and bezel vs. prong settings.
• How to Care for Pearl Jewelry — Pearls are Mohs 2.5–3, the softest stone in most collections. Cleaning, storage, and restringing guide.

Zodiac Birthstone Guides

Birthstones can be matched to zodiac signs as well as birth months — and the two lists don't always agree. These guides cover the stones traditionally linked to each sign, why they were chosen, and which ones we carry at Erin Gallagher Jewelry.

• Aries Birthstone Guide (March 21 – April 19) — Diamond, aquamarine, and emerald. The stones chosen for the Aries spirit.
• Aquarius Jewelry & Birthstone Guide (January 20 – February 18) — Amethyst and garnet, plus striking alternatives like sapphire and black spinel.
• Pisces Jewelry & Birthstone Guide (February 19 – March 20) — Aquamarine and amethyst, with unexpected picks like labradorite.
• Aries Jewelry Gift Guide (March 21 – April 19) — Birthstone picks by month, zodiac jewelry, and gift ideas at three price points.

Browse our full birthstone jewelry collection or explore birthstone gifts. Every piece is handcrafted in Steamboat Springs, Colorado in 14K gold, gold-fill, or recycled sterling silver.