Birthday Charm Gift Guide by Star Sign
Stuck for birthday gift ideas? If you know someone who collects Nomination charms (or you're thinking of starting them off), matching their gift to their star sign is a thoughtful way to show you've put some real thought into it.
The beauty of the Nomination Birthday, Birthstone, Numbers & Zodiac charms collection is that you can build a gift that feels personal without being obvious. No novelty "Happy Birthday" charms here, just elegant pieces they'll actually want to wear every day.
Why Zodiac Charms Make Perfect Birthday Gifts
Here's the thing about birthday gifts: people rarely wear jewellery that literally says "birthday" on it. But a charm that represents their star sign? That's something they'll be proud to show off.
Zodiac charms work because they're:
- Personal without being sentimental - Shows you know them without being overly emotional
- Conversation starters - People love talking about their sign
- Timeless - Unlike trendy designs, zodiac symbols never go out of style
- Easy to style - They pair with everything from casual to dressy bracelets
Matching Charms to Each Star Sign
Fire Signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius)
What they're like: Bold, energetic, natural leaders who aren't afraid to stand out.
Charm recommendations:
- Their zodiac sign in sterling silver with cubic zirconia accents for a bit of sparkle
- Number charms in rose gold to mark their birthday date
- Bold birthstone charms (ruby for Leo, topaz for Sagittarius, diamond for Aries)
Styling tip: Fire signs can handle more statement pieces. Don't be afraid to mix metals; pair a rose gold number with a silver zodiac charm for contrast.
Earth Signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn)
What they're like: Practical, grounded, appreciate quality over quantity.
Charm recommendations:
- Classic zodiac charms in 925 sterling silver (no excessive embellishments)
- Birthstone charms featuring emerald (Taurus), sapphire (Virgo), or garnet (Capricorn)
- Understated number charms in stainless steel
- Styling tip: Earth signs appreciate timeless pieces. Stick to one or two metals maximum and focus on quality materials. They'd rather have three beautiful charms than ten mediocre ones.
Air Signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius)
What they're like: Social, intellectual, always curious about new things.
Charm recommendations:
- Zodiac charms with intricate detailing. They'll appreciate the craftsmanship
- Mix of birthstone charms in unexpected colour combinations
- Multiple number charms to create patterns or meaningful dates
Styling tip: Air signs love variety. Consider gifting two or three charms they can swap around rather than just one. They enjoy changing things up.
Water Signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces)
What they're like: Intuitive, emotional, deeply sentimental about gifts.
Charm recommendations:
- Zodiac charms with moonstone or pearl accents (particularly meaningful for Cancer)
- Birthstone charms in their signature colours (ruby for Scorpio, aquamarine for Pisces)
- Heart or infinity symbols from the Infinity & Love collection paired with their zodiac
Styling tip: Water signs treasure meaningful combinations. Pair their zodiac charm with a number representing the date you met, or add a small symbol that references an inside joke.
Birthstone Alternatives to Zodiac Charms
Not everyone is into astrology, and that's fine. Birthstone charms are a brilliant alternative that still feels personal:
- January - Garnet (deep red)
- February - Amethyst (purple)
- March - Aquamarine (pale blue)
- April - Diamond or clear crystal
- May - Emerald (green)
- June - Pearl or alexandrite
- July - Ruby (red)
- August - Peridot (lime green)
- September - Sapphire (blue)
- October - Opal or tourmaline
- November - Topaz or citrine (golden yellow)
- December - Turquoise or tanzanite (blue)
The full birthstone collection features various styles and metal finishes, so you can pick something that matches their existing bracelet.
Building a Complete Birthday Bracelet
If you really want to impress, don't just gift a single charm. Create a mini "birthday story" with 3-4 charms:
Example 1: The Milestone Birthday
- Large number charm (18, 21, 30, 40, 50, etc.)
- Their zodiac sign
- A small symbol representing their passion (music note, camera, etc. from the main Nomination charms range)
Example 2: The Sentimental Gift
- Their birthstone
- Number charms spelling out their birth date (e.g., 2-5 for 25th)
- A friendship charm or family charm representing your relationship
Example 3: The Minimalist Approach
- Simple zodiac charm in brushed stainless steel
- Single number in rose gold
- One plain link in complementary metal to tie it together
Materials Matter: Choosing the Right Finish
Nomination charms come in several materials, and the right choice depends on what they already wear:
- Stainless steel - Modern, durable, pairs with white metals and cooler tones. Great for everyday wear.
- 925 Sterling silver - Classic choice that works with everything. Slightly warmer tone than steel.
- 18k gold or 9k rose gold - Luxury option for special milestones. Rose gold is particularly popular right now and flatters most skin tones.
- Mixed metals - Increasingly popular. A rose gold number with a silver zodiac sign creates visual interest without looking cluttered.
If you're unsure, check what jewellery they wear most often. Silver watch? Go for sterling silver or steel charms. Gold rings? Rose or yellow gold charms will match better.
Where to Position New Charms
If they already have a Nomination bracelet, placement matters:
- Feature charms (zodiac, birthstone, large numbers) work best in the centre or slightly off-centre
- Supporting charms (small numbers, simple symbols) fill in the gaps
- Mixed materials should be distributed evenly rather than clumped together
- Many people arrange their bracelets symmetrically, but there's no rule. Some prefer a random, organic look. If you're giving charms as a gift, let them decide the placement. Half the fun is arranging them.
Why Nomination for Birthdays?
The composable bracelet system is genuinely clever for birthday gifting:
- No sizing issues - Charms fit the standard Nomination bracelet size
- Easy to add to - Every birthday can bring a new charm
- Not another piece of jewellery - If they already have a bracelet, you're adding to something they love rather than hoping they'll wear something new
- Quality that lasts - Italian-made with proper materials, not costume jewellery
As official Nomination stockists, OD's Jewellery carries the full range, so you can see pieces in person at their St Helens store or order online with confidence.
Gift Presentation Ideas
A charm on its own can feel a bit small as a gift. Here are some ways to present it:
- In a small jewellery box with a handwritten card explaining why you chose that specific charm
- Already fitted to their bracelet (if you can borrow it beforehand)
- With a printed photo of you together on their birthday, tucked into the box
- As part of a "charm reveal" throughout the day, great for milestone birthdays where multiple people are gifting charms
Beyond Birthdays: Other Charm Gifting Occasions
Once you've mastered birthday charm gifting, the same principles apply to:
- Christmas - Winter or seasonal symbols
- Graduation - Numbers for their year, academic symbols
- Anniversaries - Heart charms, special dates
- New baby - Family collection charms
- "Just because" - Small tokens that reference inside jokes or shared memories
Start Building Your Gift
The Nomination Birthday, Birthstone, Numbers & Zodiac collection has over 128 charms to choose from, so you'll find something that fits their personality perfectly.
Browse by:
- Star sign
- Birth month
- Milestone ages (16, 18, 21, 30, 40, 50, 60)
- Metal preference
- Style (classic, sparkly, minimal)
And if you want to explore beyond birthday-specific charms, the complete Nomination range includes hundreds more designs covering hobbies, symbols, letters, and decorative links.
Still not sure which charm to choose? Pop into OD's Jewellers in St Helens or give them a call, they can show you the charms in person and help you pick the perfect birthday gift.
