With all the colors of the rainbow and then some, these gemstones evoke creativity every month of the year.
From celebrity engagement rings to daring heists, jewels frequently make headlines, and we often can’t resist reading them. With an eye to celebrating the gems that make them sparkle, we decided to take a closer look at birthstones. Considering there is one attached to each month of the year, that gives us 12 opportunities to celebrate the many colors of these precious objects.
The concept of stones representing particular months goes back several centuries, and many cultures have traditions that associate gems with special qualities. In 1912, the National Association of Jewelers assigned birthstones to each month, prompting jewelers to promote those gems during their dedicated month. Over time, more gems were added to some months, so that a few months, like June, now have multiple options to choose from.
To bring birthstones to life on a grander scale, we considered how this gorgeous array would inspire event design. From the hand of Elizabeth Taylor or the diadem of an empress to our favorite Atlanta stadium, a big, beautiful tent, and far beyond, here’s our retrospective of event décor aligned with each month’s chosen gems.
January – Garnet
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Deep red garnet is the stone for January. Touted for enhancing health, wealth, and happiness, as well as symbolizing love, passion and vitality, garnets have been compared to juicy, sweet pomegranate seeds. Infusing this hue into event design brings a noticeable sense of power to the atmosphere.
February – Amethyst
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Shifting from deep red garnet to deep purple, February’s birthstone is amethyst. It was previously available to royalty, but now it’s ideal for anyone born in February. It’s no surprise that this stone represents nobility, but it also relates to serenity – two qualities we’re happy to instill in our events.
March – Aquamarine
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From bold to calm, March brings with it aquamarine. Not surprisingly, with its oceanic hue, this blue stone is recognized for its ability to protect sailors. Likewise, its connection to the water – the name comes from the Latin for “seawater” – imparts a reputation for tranquility. Calming blue hues can provide a true enhancement to large events.
April – Diamond
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Marketing campaigns aside, diamonds have been said to symbolize eternal love, as well as strength and purity. The traditional April birthstone, diamonds have been joined by alternative, more attainable gems like zirconia, rock crystal and white sapphire. Whenever we find an opportunity to add pure sparkle to an event design, we’re up for it.
May – Emerald
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For May, bold emeralds take the stage. Their bright green appearance has been recognized as symbolizing rebirth, growth, and fidelity. Is it any surprise L. Frank Baum sent the Yellow Brick Road to a magical city characterized by these gorgeous stones? And is it any wonder WM Events chose shades of green as our signature color?
June – Pearl, Moonstone, Alexandrite
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June is one of the months that boasts multiple birthstones, but it was traditionally associated with the pearl. Not a stone but a gem formed when mollusks deposit calcium carbonate around an irritant, these organic gems boast a creamy white but color-shifting appearance. Due to the expense of pearls, those born in June might also choose milky, glowing moonstone or alexandrite, which is remarkable for being blue-green in daylight and turning purple-red in artificial light. In even design, we appreciate the changeable nature of white-themed elements.
July – Ruby
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Passionate ruby is the birthstone for July. A brighter, purer red than January’s garnet, this stone is associated with a romance, inner fire, power, and protection. Often even pricier than diamonds, rubies are known as the king of gems. Working with Atlanta and Georgia sports teams gives us plenty of opportunity to bring bright red highlights to an event.
August – Peridot
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Another green gem, peridot, is the birthstone for August. Formed deep in the Earth’s mantle from the mineral olivine, this stone has a yellow-green appearance and was called the gem of the sun by ancient Egyptians. Peridot is symbolic of renewal, healing, and positivity. It’s another of our favorites, reminding us of our own Echeveria Green logo.
September – Sapphire
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Known for its blue color, thanks to iron and titanium, sapphire can also be found in shades of yellow, purple, orange, and even colorless. But September’s birthstone is typically blue, and it’s associated with wisdom, nobility, and truth. Like ruby, sapphires are almost as hard as diamonds, coming in at 9 on the 10-point Mohs Hardness Scale. It’s never hard for us to incorporate this energizing hue into an event design.
October – Opal, Tourmaline
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In October, think of iridescent stones whose multicolored appearance represents a sense of hope and creativity. It’s opal that was initially chosen as the birthstone for this month, a rainbow beauty that was first sourced in India. A second mixed-color stone, tourmaline, was added to the autumn month. Found in Brazil in the 1500s, tourmaline is often mistaken for other stones like emeralds and rubies. We’re always up for palettes that combine a variety of hues to make an environment one of a kind.
November – Yellow Topaz, Citrine
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Topaz, the birthstone for November truly leverages the colors of the season with its range of hues – yellow, brown, and orange. It can also show varying colors when seen from different directions, and in its blue form, can stand in as a December birthstone. Topaz has been joined by citrine as a second gem for November. Sharing much of topaz’s palette, this variety of quartz is known for inspiring joy and clarity. Warmer palettes like these make events feel welcoming and sensuous.
December – Turquoise, Violet Blue Tanzanite, Zircon, Blue Topaz
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Closing out the calendar, blue and blue-green gems offer wisdom and good fortune. The traditional option for December is lovely, opaque turquoise, which is often associated with the Western hemisphere but can be found in other parts of the globe too. Turquoise is joined in December by other blue stones, including violet blue tanzanite, zircon, and blue topaz. Using varying shades of blue, is an ideal option for creating a cool, luxe look.
If this review of birthstones has inspired you too, let us know how we can design an event that is tailored to your vision.