A Connoisseurs Guide to Birthstones by Month—And How to Keep Them Sparkling All Year Long

Birthstones are precious or semi-precious gems that correspond to a particular birth month or astrological sign. It’s unclear what culture originated the birthstone tradition; some scholars say Egypt while others connect the tradition with the 12 tribes of Israel. In a modern context, the tradition of birthstone jewelry became popular at the turn of the 20th century in eastern Europe. Today, it is popular across the globe, spanning different cultures, aesthetics, and traditions. Birthstones are said to bring good luck to the wearer, and are a hallmark of bespoke, custom, and bridal jewelry. 

Birthstones can score anywhere from a 6 to 10 on the Mohs scale of Mineral Hardness, which means they are hard stones and can withstand daily wear and tear. However, they can still be scratched or chipped, so it’s essential to be gentle during the cleaning process. You should remove birthstone jewelry when cleaning, gardening, or going to the gym.

How To Clean My Birthstone Jewels

The best way to clean birthstones that are set in gold or platinum is to use Connoisseurs Dazzle Drops Advanced Jewelry Cleaner. With this non-toxic cleanser, you can utilize a fresh solution every time you clean for the most effective results. You can also try Connoisseurs Fine Jewelry Cleaner in the familiar red jar. If your birthstone jewelry is set in silver, use Connoisseurs Dazzle Drops Silver Jewelry Cleansing Crème. This solution cleans and removes tarnish from silver and is safe to use on all gemstones.