January Birthstone Jewellery & Gemstones for New Beginnings

A New Year, A New Beginning

January carries a particular mood. Calm, reflective, and quietly optimistic. It’s a time for new chapters rather than grand gestures, making it a fitting moment to mark a milestone, celebrate a birthday, or choose something meaningful for yourself.

At De Bruns Antique Jewellery, we’ve spent over 17 years guiding clients towards jewellery that feels personal, considered, and enduring. As an online business with an exceptionally personal approach, our reputation which is reflected in our outstanding Google reviews, has been built on trust, expertise, and genuine care.

January’s birthstone gives us the perfect starting point.

The Traditional January Birthstone: Garnet

Garnet is the official birthstone for January, long associated with protection, vitality, and renewal—qualities that align beautifully with the spirit of the new year.

In Antique Jewellery, Garnet comes into its own:

• Its rich, wine-red tones pair exquisitely with 9ct and 18ct Antique Gold
• It appears frequently in Victorian and Edwardian Rings, Brooches, and Pendants
• It offers depth of colour without ostentation, elegant rather than showy

For those who appreciate history, symbolism, and warmth, Garnet feels entirely at home in Antique Gold settings.

A Different Perspective: Birthstone Alternatives for January

While tradition has its place, many of our clients prefer to choose jewellery based on personal resonance rather than strict rules. January, as a month of intention and clarity, lends itself beautifully to thoughtful alternatives.

1. Amethyst

Associated with clarity and balance, Amethyst suits those who value calm confidence. Its soft purple tones are especially striking in antique gold rings and Art-Deco inspired designs.

For those drawn to Amethyst’s sense of calm and clarity, a few carefully chosen pieces can say far more than tradition alone. The following piece captures why this gemstone continues to resonate so strongly, particularly at the start of a new year.

9ct Yellow Gold Amethyst Bracelet

An amethyst bracelet offers a quietly meaningful alternative within a January birthstone story. Associated with clarity, balance, and calm, amethyst feels particularly appropriate at a time of reflection and fresh intention. Worn at the wrist, the stone becomes part of daily life rather than an occasional statement—subtle, personal, and reassuring.

View the Bracelet here: 9ct Yellow Gold Amethyst Bracelet

2. Aquamarine

Fresh, pale, and quietly luminous, Aquamarine reflects openness and optimism, an elegant choice for new beginnings. The following piece makes a real statement.

3ct+ Aquamarine & Diamond Ring in 18ct Yellow Gold

Larger Aquamarines have a unique way of capturing light. They are chosen for their colour and proportion rather than scale alone and these pieces appeal to clients seeking something expressive but refined. Often selected to mark a milestone, they feel celebratory without ever being overstated.

View the ring here: 3ct+ Aquamarine & Diamond Ring in 18ct Yellow Gold

3. Citrine

Warm and glowing, Citrine is often chosen by those drawn to light, energy, and individuality. In Antique settings, it offers a beautiful alternative to deeper stones. Discover one of our favourites pieces below.

Striking 18ct White Gold Citrine and Diamond Halo Pendant

A Citrine pendant is both expressive and effortless, worn close as a subtle reminder of clarity, confidence, and fresh intention. It’s a piece that resonates with those who value jewellery for how it makes them feel.

View the Pendant here:

Striking 18ct White Gold Citrine and Diamond Halo Pendant

These gemstones feature regularly across our gemstone collections, Art-Deco style designs, and Antique Gold pieces offering subtle individuality while remaining timeless.

If You’re a Stickler for Tradition: Three Garnet Highlights

For those who love the poetry of an official birthstone, garnet remains a classic and we are known for sourcing particularly fine examples.

1. Gold, Garnet & Seed Pearl Necklace Clasp

This Garnet Necklace Clasp highlights Garnet’s historic use as a detail of quiet refinement. Rather than a central statement stone, garnet appears as part of a thoughtful composition ideal for those who appreciate subtlety and craftsmanship over convention.

View the Necklace Clasp here: Gold, Garnet & Seed Pearl Necklace Clasp

2. 18ct Gold Diamond and Garnet Drop Earrings

These Diamond and Garnet Drop Earrings show Garnet at its most refined and celebratory. The contrast between the depth of Garnets and the brightness of the Diamonds adds balance and light, making this style especially suited to meaningful occasions while remaining timeless rather than trend-led.

View the Earrings here: 18ct Gold Diamond and Garnet Drop Earrings

3. Fancy Garnet Bracelet in 9ct Yellow Gold

This fancy Garnet Bracelet brings garnet into everyday wear. Worn at the wrist, the stone becomes part of daily life rather than reserved for special moments, reinforcing the idea that Birthstone Jewellery can be personal, comfortable, and lived in.

View the Bracelet here: Fancy Garnet Bracelet in 9ct Yellow Gold

Choosing January Birthstone Jewellery as a Gift

January birthstone jewellery is often chosen to mark:

• Significant Birthdays
• Anniversaries
• Engagements or personal milestones
• A well earned gift to yourself

Many of our clients are men seeking something meaningful and distinctive, while others are women who appreciate the confidence of choosing for themselves. In both cases, Antique and Vintage Jewellery offer individuality that modern pieces rarely achieve.

January invites us to pause, reflect, and choose with intention. Whether guided by tradition or personal meaning, Birthstone Jewellery offers a quietly powerful way to mark that moment. Garnet remains a timeless classic for those who value symbolism, while alternatives such as Amethyst, Aquamarine, and Citrine speak to individuality, clarity, and optimism, qualities that resonate strongly at the start of a new year.

At De Bruns Antique Jewellery, our approach has always been thoughtful rather than prescriptive. With over 17 years of experience and a reputation built on trust, expert guidance, and exceptional personal service, we believe the most meaningful jewellery is chosen not because it follows rules, but because it feels right. January’s Birthstone story is simply a starting point, the real value lies in selecting a piece that reflects who you are, or what you wish to celebrate.

Frequently Asked Questions