January
Garnet
The Andrews jewellery guide
A little knowledge.
A more meaningful choice.
Find your birthstone, celebrate a milestone, understand a diamond or make sense of ring sizes. A useful starting point for your next conversation with Andrew.
Birthstones, by month.
There is often more than one beautiful option. This guide follows GIA’s commonly recognised birthstones; historic and regional traditions differ. Choose for the wearer’s taste, lifestyle and the design, not only the calendar.
February
Amethyst
March
Aquamarine · Bloodstone
April
Diamond
May
Emerald
June
Pearl · Moonstone · Alexandrite
July
Ruby
August
Peridot · Spinel · Sardonyx
September
Sapphire
October
Opal · Tourmaline
November
Topaz · Citrine
December
Turquoise · Tanzanite · Zircon
Reference: GIA birthstone guide ↗. AI-generated gemstone illustrations, not photographs of stock. One representative stone is shown for each month; colours, appearances and available birthstone choices vary. Pearl and opal are shown rounded and polished rather than faceted.
Not every gemstone suits the same wear. Pearls and opals, for example, need different care from diamonds or sapphires. Ask about durability, treatments and a protective setting before choosing an everyday ring.
Mark the moment.
Jewellery traditions offer a lovely starting point, not a rulebook. These selected milestones follow the Jewelers of America jewellery list. Traditional household-gift lists and regional customs may use different materials.
Year 1Gold
Year 2Garnet
Year 3Pearl
Year 4Blue topaz
Year 5Sapphire
Year 6Amethyst
Year 7Onyx
Year 8Tourmaline
Year 9Lapis lazuli
Year 10Diamond
Year 15Ruby
Year 20Emerald
Year 25Silver
Year 30Pearl
Year 35Emerald
Year 40Ruby
Year 45Sapphire
Year 50Gold
Year 55Alexandrite
Year 60Diamond
A favourite colour, a shared memory or a stone from an existing piece can be just as meaningful as the traditional gift.
Reference and complete annual list: Jewelers of America anniversary guide ↗.
Ring sizes, translated.
Use this selected-size chart for a first comparison, not a final order size. UK letters are also commonly used in South Africa. French sizes roughly follow the inside circumference in millimetres; rounding and brand charts differ.
On a small screen, swipe the table sideways.
| US | UK / SA | French | Inside circumference (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | F | 44 | 44.2 |
| 4 | H | 47 | 46.8 |
| 5 | J½ | 49 | 49.3 |
| 5.5 | K½ | 50.5 | 50.6 |
| 6 | L½ | 52 | 51.9 |
| 6.5 | M½ | 53 | 53.1 |
| 7 | N½ | 54.5 | 54.4 |
| 7.5 | O½ | 56 | 55.7 |
| 8 | P½ | 57 | 57.0 |
| 8.5 | Q½ | 58.5 | 58.3 |
| 9 | R½ | 60 | 59.5 |
| 9.5 | S½ | 61 | 60.8 |
| 10 | T½ | 62 | 62.1 |
| 11 | V½ | 65 | 64.6 |
| 12 | X½ | 67.5 | 67.2 |
Selected conversions: Brilliant Earth international chart ↗.
A professional fitting is the best next step. Measure the intended finger, with hands at a comfortable temperature. Band width, knuckles and ring profile affect fit. Bring a well-fitting ring if you have one. Do not use a photograph or an uncalibrated on-screen circle as a sizing tool. Resizing is not possible for every design.
Natural or laboratory-grown?
Both are diamonds. Laboratory-grown diamonds have essentially the same chemical, physical and optical properties as natural diamonds. Their origin is different; neither should be confused with a diamond simulant.
Natural diamonds
Formed in the Earth over geological time. Their natural origin is part of their appeal. Ask for clear identification and an independent laboratory report appropriate to the stone.
Laboratory-grown diamonds
Created through controlled processes such as HPHT or CVD. Their laboratory origin should be clearly disclosed. Appearance alone, or an ordinary diamond tester, is not enough to reliably establish origin.
Moissanite and cubic zirconia are different materials used as diamond simulants. A laboratory-grown diamond is not the same thing.
Reference: GIA: natural and laboratory-grown diamonds ↗.
Ask what the report covers, whether treatments are disclosed and what the seller’s terms are. Do not assume either type is an investment, or that “lab-grown” alone proves a particular environmental benefit. Compare the individual stone, its documentation and the price.
The four Cs.
A shared vocabulary for understanding diamond quality. Read the factors together, then look at the stone itself.
Cut
How proportions, symmetry and polish influence light performance. Cut quality is not the same as shape: “oval” describes a shape. GIA’s overall cut grade applies to standard round brilliant diamonds in the D-to-Z range, not every fancy shape.
Colour
For D-to-Z diamonds, the scale describes the degree of colour, with D at the colourless end. Fancy-colour diamonds are assessed differently. Setting, lighting and personal preference also affect how colour looks.
Clarity
The presence of internal inclusions and surface blemishes, assessed under standard conditions. A clarity grade does not tell you everything about what you will see without magnification; the location and nature of features matter.
Carat weight
A measure of weight, not face-up size: one carat is 0.2 grams. Two stones of the same weight can look different in size and have very different qualities.
Reference: GIA guide to diamond quality ↗. Reporting systems vary by laboratory and diamond origin; check the actual report rather than assuming identical grading formats.
A little everyday care.
Cleaning and storage
Store pieces separately and remove them for heavy work or exposure to household chemicals. Cleaning methods depend on the stones, treatments and construction. Do not assume steam, ultrasonic cleaning or soaking is safe for every piece.
When to ask your jeweller
Stop wearing a piece with a loose stone, damaged clasp or worn setting. Bring it for assessment, with any detached components safely stored. Repairs and resizing need an individual inspection.
Further reading: GIA diamond care ↗.
General education, not a product guarantee or a stock list. Confirm advice for the particular piece before purchase or alteration.
Ask Andrew about your piece ↗