Just for fun - dogs, doors and birthstones
During my time in France I became a little obsessed with the beautiful, often ornate or sometimes crumbling colourful doorways. Their jewel-toned colours reminded me of the birthstones I often work with in the jewellery I make, which inspired a challenge. My Airedale Terrier, Rolo, and I pounded the streets in search of a beautiful door to represent each month's birthstone and here they are in all their glory. Rolo became so involved in the project that he often still sits down to pose at doors - even though we've completed the project.
I love working with birthstones as a way to personalise jewellery and for their connection to ancient symbolism. Each stone is so much more than its colour - it's also a reflection of history, energy and folklore. Discover what the colour of your birthstone says about you...
January
Garnet's warm, crimson glow represents strength and protection. Red is the colour of passion and life-force - a symbol of courage, action and love. Wearing a Garnet is thought to spark motivation and bring emotional balance. Garnet's were historically used as a traveller's talisman to shield against negativity. Those born in January are thought to be drawn to Garnet's warmth and strength. Click here to discover my range of Garnet January birthstone jewellery.
February
Amethyst, February's violet-purple birthstone represents tranquility and spiritual clarity. Its soothing purple hue is also thought to help the wearer connect to their intuition and inner wisdom. Amethysts are believed to protect against stress and bring peace. I think of it as the perfect stone for creatives and intuitive thinkers. Click here to discover my February birthstone jewellery collection.
March
Aquamarine's light sea-blue tone mirrors the calming essence of the sea, symbolising serenity, openness, and clear communication. According to colour psychology blue encourages trust, peace, and truth - making Aquamarine a stone that represents honest expression and emotional healing. Historically, sailors believed Aquamarine brought a safe passage across stormy waters. Today, it is thought to offer the same emotional steadiness in everyday life, perfect for those seeking clarity and calm. Click here to discover my March birthstone jewellery collection.
April
Diamonds, as you might expect with their brilliant clarity, symbolise eternal love but also purity and strength. White and clear tones in colour psychology represent perfection, new beginnings, and spiritual awakening. Diamonds are believed to be both grounding and illuminating - amplifying energy and offering a strong sense of self. Wearing Diamonds is thought to help focus your intentions and embrace life with confidence and brilliance. You can discover my Diamond birthstone jewellery collection here.
May
For me, Emerald's soothing lush green represents the joy of nature. Green symbolises growth, healing, and abundance in colour psychology. Associated with the heart chakra, Emerald is thought to promote compassion and emotional wisdom. May babies are often thought to be deep feelers and nurturers. Emeralds are believed to invite the wearer to embrace both giving and receiving love. I like to think of Emerald as a gemstone of nature’s wisdom and a talisman for lifelong growth. You can discover my Emerald birthstone jewellery collection here.
June
Alexandrite is a rare chameleon (and my birthstone!) shifting from green in daylight to a reddish tone in lamp or candlelight - a magical stone for those born in June. Its duality is seen as a symbol of transformation, intuition, and the balance between heart and mind. This dual colour embodies adaptability, mystery, and emotional intelligence. Alexandrite is thought to encourage its wearer to embrace change and discover hidden strengths. I think it's a fitting gem for June’s creative, multifaceted souls. You can discover my Alexandrite birthstone jewellery collection here.
July
Rubies radiate a bold, vivid red - a symbol of vitality, courage and passionate love. In colour psychology, red evokes strength, energy and action. Known as the “king of gems,” Ruby has long been associated with royalty and power. It’s a stone that seems to appeal to leaders and those who live life to the full. Click here to discover my Ruby birthstone jewellery collection.
August
Peridot is one of my favourite stones and shines with a refreshing lime-green hue - radiating positivity and a sense of renewal. This bright shade of green is tied to clarity, optimism and good fortune. Colour psychology links it to personal growth and detoxification - both emotional and energetic. Peridot is a symbol of self-improvement, resilience and warm-heartedness. Known as the “gem of the sun” in ancient Egypt, which seems fitting, as I find Peridot uplifting with its vibrant and mesmerising green tone. Click here to discover my range of Peridot birthstone jewellery.
September
Sapphire’s deep blue reminds me of velvet and exudes wisdom, loyalty, and truth. In colour psychology, blue is calming and trustworthy and thought to encourage focus, introspection and serenity. Sapphire has long been associated with mental clarity, and wearing Sapphire is thought to help soothe anxiety and sharpen the mind. Click here to discover my range of Sapphire birthstone jewellery.
October
Tourmaline comes in a rainbow of hues, but pink, blue and green are most commonly linked with October and the three colours I've chosen for my October Tourmaline birthstone jewellery collection. For me, this door represented the cool, unusual tone of blue Tourmaline which is also known as Indicolite. Tourmaline is thought to be a heart-centred gem that helps wearers balance vulnerability with strength. Click here to discover my Tourmaline birthstone jewellery collection.
November
Topaz is often associated with a golden-yellow tone but I've also included two blue Topaz in my collection - London Blue and Swiss Blue. The warm, golden tones of yellow Topaz reflect joy and generosity. Yellow in colour psychology is the hue of optimism, intellect and warmth while blue Topaz has a soothing calmness. Topaz is believed to stimulate creativity and confidence. There's something optimistic about yellow Topaz - like a burst of sunlight on a grey day, while blue Topaz is believed to support emotional balance and mental clarity. You can discover my range of Topaz birthstone jewellery here.
December
Tanzanite shimmers with a unique blue-violet hue which in colour psychology is linked to to intuition, transformation, and higher consciousness. Tanzanite symbolises inner vision, new beginnings and a bridge between dreams and reality. It’s a modern stone but its depth of tone has a timeless quality. Click here to discover my collection of Tanzanite birthstone jewellery.
I love working with birthstones as they bring so much more than beauty to a piece of jewellery. Birthstones can be chosen for personal meaning or just pure delight, but are also such a great way to tell a story or reflect your personality. Click here to discover my full birthstone jewellery collection.