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What does it mean when you give someone a gemstone?

There are many reasons for giving someone a gemstone as a gift including:

  • A special occasion such as birthday or anniversary,
  • to congratulate someone on an achievement,
  • to show your love
  • for its spiritual powers

The choice of gemstone comes down to a number of factors:

  • You can buy a gemstone simply on looks - just select the right color, shape and size.
  • Choose a gemstone for its spiritual influence and emotional or physical health benefits.
  • Pick a gemstone according to date of birth, zodiac sign, anniversary, chakra color, even blood group or element.

Before buying someone a gemstone, few practical issues need to be considered too:

  • Some gemstones are better suited to being made into jewelry items than others - any gemstone with a hardness of 6 and above can be made into jewelry while anything less may be better off used as decorative stones.
  • The personality of the person you are buying a gemstone for will play its part. Would they prefer a big and flashy gem in loud colors or a small and subtle one in muted or pastel tones?
  • The circumstances of your relationship must be considered too. A big expensive emerald for a new acquaintance may not be appropriate and equally, a cheap gemstone ring for your wife could get you into trouble.

At GemSelect, we have been buying and selling gemstones for nearly 20 years and many of our staff have been dealing with colored stones for even longer. Using that experience, we have chosen some of the most popular gemstones that have been given as gifts for centuries if not millennia (except tanzanite of course) and outlined their suitability as gemstone gifts

We have taken a closer look at their symbolic meanings as well as some of their special connections to people through birthdays or spiritual benefits. We have also included some practical information about hardness and wedding anniversaries that may sway your choice.

Let's get started shall we?

What does the gift of Sapphire mean?

Sapphires are a truly special stone and a special gift. Buying a prestigious sapphire gemstone for someone shows you care for them very much. Sapphires are most famously blue but can be found in all colors except red (then it is a ruby). They are all spiritually powerful but do have other influences according to the color. Sapphires are considered one of the most powerful gemstones in Vedic astrology especially the blue and yellow examples.

Symbolizes Honesty, purity, and trust
Birthstone September
Hardness 9
Zodiac Taurus
Color All colors but red
Health Throat, neck, thyroid
Chakra Throat
Wedding 5th, 45th, 70th
Buy Sapphire Gemstones
Shop Sapphire here

Sapphire Meaning and Healing Powers

What does the gift of Ruby mean?

The ruby is one of the original 'precious gemstones' and has been revered by just about every culture that has existed. This gemstone is the classic symbol of the color red and was known as the king of gemstones in India where the finest examples were traditionally found. It represents love, passion, sexuality, power and fertility and is the most valuable of customary gemstones so a gift of a ruby is very special indeed.

Symbolizes Love, passion, power
Birthstone July
Hardness 9
Zodiac Capricorn, cancer
Color Red
Health Blood flow and fertility
Chakra Root / Heart
Wedding 15th, 40th
Buy Ruby Gemstones
Shop Ruby here

Ruby Meaning and Healing Powers

What does the gift of Emerald mean?

Along with rubies, sapphires and diamonds, the emerald is one of the four recognized 'precious gems' and has been loved and sought after for 1000s of years in cultures across the globe. The intense green color represents spring in all its glory of new life and fertility. A gift of an emerald is just as symbolic of love as the passionate ruby but more of a faithful and eternal devotion than momentary lust. 

Symbolizes Love, fertility, rejuvenation
Birthstone May
Hardness 7.5 - 8
Zodiac Cancer
Color Green
Health Central core, eyes
Chakra Heart
Wedding 20th, 55th
Buy Emerald Gemstones
Shop Emerald here

Emerald Meaning and Healing Powers

What does the gift of Aquamarine mean?

The crystal clear, cool blue aquamarine lives up to its name by being so evocative of sea water gently lapping a white sandy beach. Seeing and holding one of these gemstones will bring an instant feeling of tranquility and serenity. Traditionally, it has been a gift from partner to partner to calm the waters of a relationship just as it can soothe storms at sea. Similarly it was also given to travelers about to head overseas for good luck.

Symbolizes Harmony, calmness, communication
Birthstone March
Hardness 7.5 - 8
Zodiac Pisces
Color Light Blue
Health Immune system, eyes
Chakra Throat
Wedding 19th
Buy Aquamarine Gemstones
Shop Aquamarine here

Aquamarine Meaning and Healing Powers

What does the gift of Zircon mean?

Zircons are one of the most colorful varieties of gemstones so there is sure to be one that suits your tastes. Zircon gemstones are appreciated for their excellent clarity and great sparkle or fire. Zircon's meaning as a gift depends on the color. The different colors can symbolize an assortment of emotions - blue meaning a desire for opening up communication - the creativity of the orange versions and the stability and security of the earthy brown zircons.

Symbolizes Purity, prosperity, connection
Birthstone December
Hardness 6.5 - 7.5
Zodiac Capricorn
Color Various
Health PMS, Stomach
Chakra Various
Wedding n/a
Buy Zircon Gemstones
Shop Zircon here

Zircon Gemstone Information

What does the gift of Opal mean?

Opals are such a unique looking gemstone that a whole new series of words had to be invented to describe them, including opalescent which refers to their fascinating multicolored appearance. This legendary gemstone has a history of myths and stories attached to it including how Mark Antony wanted to present Cleopatra with an opal said to be the most beautiful gemstone ever seen. Unfortunately it was not his to give and the real owner - Senator Nonius - chose to flee to exile rather than give it up! Their spiritual meaning as a gift is usually dependent upon the dominant color, red for love, white for luck, black for protection and so on but they are all special gemstones.

Symbolizes Wealth, love, confidence
Birthstone October
Hardness 5.5 - 6.5
Zodiac Libra
Color Various
Health Eyes, detoxification, memory
Chakra Various
Wedding 14th
Buy Opal Gemstones
Shop Opal here

Opal Meaning and Healing Powers

What does the gift of Topaz mean?

Topaz are one of the most popular gemstones in the world and have a history that goes back to biblical times. Their price can range from very reasonable to outrageously expensive. They can be found in a wide variety of colors and these colors can represent an array of emotions. The ever popular blue encourages communication, clear stones bring hope and inspiration while the exclusive golden Imperial gemstones turn dreams into reality. Any topaz makes a wonderful gift with their bright tones and excellent clarity.

Symbolizes Motivation, honesty, good fortune
Birthstone November
Hardness 8
Zodiac Sagittarius, Scorpio
Color Various
Health Stress relief, inflammation
Chakra Various
Wedding 4th, 23rd
Buy Topaz Gemstones
Shop Topaz here

Topaz Meaning and Healing Powers

What does the gift of Tourmaline mean?

Tourmalines are probably the most varied gemstone in the world today. They can come in just about every color from electric pinks and vivid blues to the powerfully protective black variety. The range in price can go from very economical to the almost priceless neon Paraiba Tourmalines with numerous stops between the two. Each color has its own special meanings and powers as a gift - pink for compassion, yellow for creativity, green for revitalization. Some extra special stones come in two or even three colors.

Symbolizes Joy, love, balance
Birthstone October
Hardness 7 - 7.5
Zodiac Libra
Color Various
Health Stress relief, circulation, arthritis
Chakra Various
Wedding 8th
Buy Tourmaline Gemstones
Shop Tourmaline here

Tourmaline Meaning and Healing Powers

What does the gift of Garnet mean?

Garnet is another very varied gemstone type which includes expensive green tsavorites and demantoids in its family as well as more reasonably priced orange hessonites and red pyropes - there are even some that change color! All in all, garnets could be the most versatile of all gemstones. They also have a long and illustrious history with some gemstones found amongst the artifacts of Ancient Egypt and Sumeria. A stunning green tsavorite or a raspberry rhodolite, for example, would make a wonderful gift for its beauty alone but the symbolic meaning adds to its significance - green for birth and creation, pink for love.

Symbolizes Grounding, energizing, sexuality
Birthstone January
Hardness 6.5 - 7.5
Zodiac Aquarius
Color Various
Health Cardiovascular, detoxifying
Chakra Root to Heart
Wedding 2nd
Buy Garnet Gemstones
Shop Garnet here

Garnet Meaning and Healing Powers

What does the gift of Citrine mean?

A gift of citrine would cover both spiritual and aesthetic needs in a single gemstone - it has stunning yellow colors, excellent clarity and healing powers all in one. Citrine is a very uplifting crystal which brings optimism and joy to the recipient and, as a very reasonably priced stone, it can be bought in large, eye-catching sizes.

Symbolizes Happiness, enthusiasm, wealth
Birthstone November
Hardness 7
Zodiac Aries, Gemini
Color Yellow / Orange
Health Digestion, blood circulation
Chakra Sacral / Solar Plexus
Wedding 13th
Buy Citrine Gemstones
Shop Citrine here

Citrine Meaning and Healing Powers

What does the gift of Tanzanite mean?

A relative newcomer to the world of gemstones, tanzanite was only discovered in the 1960s, this gemstone has quickly conquered the world with its stunning blue/violet colors which rival those of the finest sapphires. It does not have a long spiritual history but the Maasai tribes people who inhabit the area where this gemstone is found consider it a gift from the gods. Traditionally, it is given to new mothers just after they have given birth to bring good luck.

Symbolizes Good luck, communication
Birthstone December
Hardness 6.5 - 7
Zodiac Sagittarius
Color Violet / Blue
Health Headaches, immune system
Chakra Throat / Third Eye / Crown
Wedding 24th
Buy Tanzanite Gemstones
Shop Tanzanite here

Tanzanite Information

What does the gift of Pearl mean?

Recent archaeological finds in the middle-east have dated the use of pearls as jewelry back over 8000 years. Pearls are found all over the world although they are more likely cultured these days in farms rather than dived for in traditional ways. With such a long history, many myths and legends have grown around pearls but there is no doubt they make a marvelous gift - especially for brides as they represent pureness and chastity.

Symbolizes Purity, innocence, friendship
Birthstone June
Hardness 2.5 - 4.5
Zodiac Aries / Cancer
Color Various
Health Allergies, digestive system
Chakra Root / Crown
Wedding 3rd, 13th
Buy Pearl Gemstones
Shop Pearl here

Pearl Information

What does the gift of Peridot mean?

Peridot is one of those rare gemstones that can only be found in one color, but what a gorgeous golden green color it is - representing a perfect spring full of re-birth, fertility and growth. Peridots make excellent gifts as just looking at this bright clear gemstone will lift the spirits and they are well known for their appearance as the sun goes down - one of their nicknames is the 'evening emerald'. Despite their stunning looks, peridot gemstones are very reasonably priced.

Symbolizes Joy, vitality, money
Birthstone August
Hardness 6.5 - 7
Zodiac Leo / Virgo
Color Green
Health Heart, lungs, digestive system
Chakra Heart
Wedding 16th
Buy Peridot Gemstones
Shop Peridot here

Peridot Meaning and Healing Powers

What does the gift of Rose Quartz mean?

The gift of Rose Quartz can really only mean one thing - love! However, love can come in many forms, a romantic love between young sweethearts, the maternal or paternal love for a child, a special love for mothers or a platonic love between best friends. It can even represent self-love. If you receive rose quartz as a gift you know you are loved.

Symbolizes Love, compassion, harmony
Birthstone January (Alt.)
Hardness 7
Zodiac Scorpio / Libra
Color Pale Pink
Health Stress relief, blood circulation
Chakra Heart
Wedding n/a
Buy Rose Quartz Gemstones
Shop Rose Quartz here

Rose Quartz Meaning and Healing Powers

What does the gift of Spinel mean?

Spinel is a little known but very special gemstone that should be much more appreciated than it is. Once upon a time, before scientific methods were developed, spinels and rubies were pretty much interchangeable and many a large ruby affixed to a crown of a king or maharaja turned out to be a spinel! They are not just red, spinels can be found in most colors, each with its own special symbolic meaning including the very protective black stones and the romantic pink versions. A clear, durable and sophisticated gemstone which would make an outstanding gift. 

Symbolizes Rejuvenation, hope, energy
Birthstone August
Hardness 8
Zodiac Vedic Leo
Color Various
Health Joints and muscles
Chakra All
Wedding 22nd
Buy Spinel Gemstones
Shop Spinel here

Spinel Meaning and Healing Powers

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