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Birthstones for Each Month
January Birthstone: Garnet
The birthstone for January is garnet, a gemstone admired for its deep, rich hues and long-standing place in jewelry history. The name “garnet” comes from the Latin granatus, meaning “seed,” referencing its resemblance to pomegranate seeds. While most garnets are vibrant red, they can also appear in shades of orange, green, brown, and purple.
Garnet ranks 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it durable enough for everyday wear with proper care. Throughout history, this gemstone has been associated with protection, vitality, and strength, symbolizing friendship, trust, and passion. Its warmth and versatility make it a timeless choice for personal jewelry. Learn more about this gemstone in our Garnet Guide.
Popular January Birthstone Jewelry
February Birthstone: Amethyst
The birthstone for February is amethyst, a variety of quartz recognized for its captivating purple color. Its hue can range from soft lilac to deep violet, which comes from trace amounts of iron and other minerals within the crystal structure. Ranking 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, amethyst offers good durability for jewelry and has been cherished for centuries for its beauty and accessibility.
Symbolically, amethyst represents clarity, calm, and balance. It has long been associated with peace of mind and emotional stability, making it a meaningful gemstone for those seeking focus and serenity. Its timeless beauty and versatility make it one of the most beloved purple gemstones in the world.
Popular February Birthstone Jewelry
March Birthstone: Aquamarine
The modern birthstone for March is aquamarine, a member of the beryl family and a gemstone prized for its serene blue color reminiscent of clear water. Aquamarine's clarity and subtle brilliance make it a popular choice for elegant jewelry designs.
Aquamarine ranks 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, offering excellent durability for everyday wear. It is traditionally associated with tranquility, harmony, and clarity, symbolizing calm energy and protection. Its refreshing color and lasting strength make it a timeless gemstone that evokes a sense of peace and renewal. Learn more about this gemstone in our Aquamarine Guide.
Popular March Birthstone Jewelry
April Birthstone: Diamond
The birthstone for April is the diamond, the hardest known natural material, and one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world. Composed of pure carbon, natural diamonds form deep within the Earth under extreme heat and pressure, giving them exceptional brilliance and durability. They are best known for their unmatched sparkle, resulting from their ability to reflect and refract light.
Diamonds rank 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them ideal for everyday wear and symbolically linked to longevity, purity, and everlasting love. While colorless diamonds are the most traditional, they also occur in a range of hues, including yellow, brown, pink, blue, and green. Timeless and enduring, diamonds remain a powerful symbol of strength and commitment. Learn more about this gemstone in our Diamond Guide.
Popular April Birthstone Jewelry
May Birthstone: Emerald
The birthstone for May is emerald, a precious gemstone celebrated for its lush green color and rich history. The most famous member of the beryl family, emerald’s signature color can range from light to deep, vivid green, with the finest gemstones showing evenly saturated color.
Emerald ranks 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, though natural inclusions, sometimes called “jardin,” meaning “garden” in French, can make it more delicate than other gems of similar hardness. Symbolizing rebirth, growth, and harmony, emerald has long been associated with renewal and vitality. Its timeless color and captivating character make it one of the most treasured gemstones in the world. Learn more about this gemstone in our Emerald Guide.
Popular May Birthstone Jewelry
June Birthstones: Pearl & Alexandrite
June is unique in having two birthstones, pearl and alexandrite, each admired for distinct qualities and origins. Pearls are organic gemstones formed inside mollusks when layers of nacre build around an irritant. Their natural luster and soft iridescence make them a symbol of purity and sophistication. Pearls occur in a range of hues, including white, cream, gold, blue, pink, and even black, depending on their type and environment. They rank 2.5 to 3 on the Mohs hardness scale, requiring gentle care to maintain their beauty.
Alexandrite, by contrast, is a rare and color-changing variety of chrysoberyl. It appears green to bluish-green in daylight and shifts to purplish-red under incandescent light. Ranking 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, alexandrite is highly durable and prized for its unique optical properties. Symbolically, both gemstones represent balance, transformation, and wisdom, making June’s birthstones particularly meaningful for those drawn to versatility and elegance. Learn more about these gemstones in our Pearl Guide and Alexandrite Guide.
Popular June Birthstone Jewelry
July Birthstone: Ruby
The birthstone for July is ruby, one of the most prized gemstones in the world. Belonging to the corundum family, ruby’s hue can range from pinkish-red to deep crimson, with the most desirable rubies displaying a pure, vibrant red often referred to as “pigeon’s blood.” This intense color makes ruby a favorite for fine jewelry.
Ruby ranks 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it well-suited for everyday wear. Throughout history, ruby has symbolized passion, courage, and vitality, often seen as a representation of love and strength. Its enduring color and rarity give it a timeless appeal that continues to captivate gemstone lovers worldwide.
Popular July Birthstone Jewelry
August Birthstones: Peridot, Spinel & Sardonyx
August has three recognized modern birthstones, peridot, spinel, and sardonyx, offering a diverse range of colors and characteristics. Peridot is known for its bright, olive-green hue and comes from both meteorites and volcanic eruptions. Ranking 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, peridot symbolizes prosperity, warmth, and strength, and its lively green tone makes it a standout in summer-inspired jewelry.
Spinel occurs in a variety of colors, including red, pink, blue, and violet. Often mistaken for ruby in ancient jewelry, spinel is now celebrated as a distinct gemstone. It ranks 8 on the Mohs hardness scale and represents energy, revitalization, and perseverance.
Sardonyx is a banded variety of chalcedony combining layers of sard (reddish-brown) and onyx (white or black). With a hardness of 6.5 to 7, it was historically used in cameos and signet rings and symbolizes courage, stability, and protection. Together, August’s gemstones offer a wide array of colors, histories, and symbolic meanings to suit every style.
Popular August Birthstone Jewelry
September Birthstone: Sapphire
The birthstone for September is sapphire, long admired for its rich colors and exceptional durability. Part of the corundum family, sapphire can be found in a range of hues, including pink, yellow, green, and white, but deep blue remains the most classic and sought-after. The gemstone’s history and vivid color options make it a favorite for engagement rings and fine jewelry.
Sapphire ranks 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, offering excellent resistance to scratching and wear. Symbolically, it represents wisdom, sincerity, and protection, qualities that have made it a cherished gemstone throughout history. With its timeless color and enduring strength, sapphire continues to embody both elegance and resilience. Learn more about this gemstone in our Sapphire Guide.
Popular September Birthstone Jewelry
October Birthstones: Opal & Tourmaline
October has two birthstones, opal and tourmaline, each admired for their vibrant color and individuality. Opal is known for its mesmerizing play-of-color, a phenomenon caused by light diffracting through microscopic silica spheres within the stone. This creates shifting flashes of rainbow hues, making each opal one of a kind. Ranking 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, opal requires gentle care. Symbolically, it represents creativity, hope, and emotional expression.
Tourmaline, by contrast, is prized for its wide spectrum of colors, from vivid pinks and greens to deep blues, with some tourmalines even exhibiting multiple colors in a single stone. Symbolically, tourmaline represents balance, protection, and compassion. Together, these gemstones reflect creativity and self-expression, making October’s birthstones especially meaningful.
Popular October Birthstone Jewelry
November Birthstones: Citrine & Topaz
November is represented by two modern gemstones: citrine and topaz. Both are admired for their warm, radiant hues that capture the essence of fall. Citrine, a yellow variety of quartz, is nicknamed the “Merchant’s Stone” for its reputed ability to attract wealth and prosperity. Its sunny tone evokes warmth and positivity, making it a popular choice for everyday jewelry. Ranking 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, citrine is durable and symbolizes joy, abundance, and vitality.
Topaz occurs in a wide range of colors, including blue, pink, yellow, and colorless varieties. The most common shade for November is golden or amber-colored topaz, valued for rich yellow-orange tones. With a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale, topaz is both durable and beautiful, symbolizing strength, success, and love. Learn more about this gemstone in our Topaz Guide.
Popular November Birthstone Jewelry
December Birthstones: Tanzanite, Zircon, Turquoise & Blue Topaz
December is one of the few months with multiple recognized modern birthstones, tanzanite, zircon, turquoise, and blue topaz, each showcasing beautiful shades of blue that evoke the cool tones of winter.
Tanzanite is a rare gem found only in Tanzania, prized for its striking violet-blue color that can exhibit a rich, saturated blue with subtle purple flashes. Ranking 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, it symbolizes transformation and new beginnings. Learn more about this gemstone in our Tanzanite Guide.
Zircon is one of the oldest known minerals on Earth and displays exceptional brilliance. It occurs in various colors, but blue zircon is the traditional December choice. With a hardness of 7.5, it represents wisdom and prosperity.
Turquoise, among the earliest gemstones ever used in jewelry, features distinctive blue and green hues often streaked with unique veining patterns. Ranking 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, it is associated with protection, healing, and serenity.
Blue Topaz offers a vivid, icy hue and ranks 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it highly durable. It symbolizes clarity, communication, and calm energy, completing December’s cool and radiant palette. Learn more about this gemstone in our Topaz Guide.
Popular December Birthstone Jewelry
Birthstones by Month FAQ
What is my birthstone?
Your birthstone is the gemstone associated with the month you were born. Each month has one or more gemstones symbolizing traits such as love, prosperity, or protection. Below is the modern list of birthstones by month:
- January: Garnet
- February: Amethyst
- March: Aquamarine
- April: Diamond
- May: Emerald
- June: Pearl, Alexandrite
- July: Ruby
- August: Peridot, Spinel, Sardonyx
- September: Sapphire
- October: Opal
- November: Citrine, Topaz
- December: Tanzanite, Zircon, Turquoise, Blue Topaz
What is a birthstone?
A birthstone is a gemstone linked to a person’s birth month, often thought to represent qualities such as luck, health, or protection. Birthstones are also commonly used to mark personal milestones or special occasions.
What are the birthstones?
The birthstones are gemstones assigned to each month of the year. The modern list includes:
- January: Garnet
- February: Amethyst
- March: Aquamarine
- April: Diamond
- May: Emerald
- June: Pearl, Alexandrite
- July: Ruby
- August: Peridot, Spinel, Sardonyx
- September: Sapphire
- October: Opal
- November: Citrine, Topaz
- December: Tanzanite, Zircon, Turquoise, Blue Topaz
How do you know your birthstone?
You can determine your birthstone by finding the gemstone associated with your birth month. Reference the list below to identify yours:
- January: Garnet
- February: Amethyst
- March: Aquamarine
- April: Diamond
- May: Emerald
- June: Pearl, Alexandrite
- July: Ruby
- August: Peridot, Spinel, Sardonyx
- September: Sapphire
- October: Opal
- November: Citrine, Topaz
- December: Tanzanite, Zircon, Turquoise, Blue Topaz
What are the birthstone colors?
Each month’s birthstone features a distinct color palette that reflects its character and symbolism. Here’s a look at the typical birthstone colors by month:
- January: Deep red (Garnet)
- February: Purple (Amethyst)
- March: Light to deep blue (Aquamarine)
- April: Colorless or white (Diamond)
- May: Vivid green (Emerald)
- June: Creamy white or iridescent (Pearl), green to red color-change (Alexandrite)
- July: Bright red (Ruby)
- August: Olive green (Peridot), red to pink (Spinel), reddish brown with white bands (Sardonyx)
- September: Deep blue (Sapphire)
- October: Multi-color play-of-light (Opal)
- November: Golden yellow (Citrine), amber to blue (Topaz)
- December: Blue to violet (Tanzanite), light blue (Zircon), turquoise blue-green (Turquoise), icy blue (Blue Topaz)
Who came up with birthstones?
Birthstones were standardized in 1912 by the American National Retail Jewelers Association (now Jewelers of America). This modern list brought consistency to jewelry design while drawing inspiration from older gemstone traditions.
How many birthstones are there?
There are twelve birth months, each with at least one gemstone. Because several months have multiple stones, the modern chart includes 19 recognized birthstones:
- January: Garnet
- February: Amethyst
- March: Aquamarine
- April: Diamond
- May: Emerald
- June: Pearl, Alexandrite
- July: Ruby
- August: Peridot, Spinel, Sardonyx
- September: Sapphire
- October: Opal
- November: Citrine, Topaz
- December: Tanzanite, Zircon, Turquoise, Blue Topaz
What do birthstones mean?
Each birthstone carries its own symbolism and meaning, often tied to emotional qualities or life themes. Here’s what each gemstone represents:
- Garnet: Protection and friendship
- Amethyst: Calm and balance
- Aquamarine: Tranquility and clarity
- Diamond: Strength and everlasting love
- Emerald: Renewal and growth
- Pearl: Purity and wisdom
- Alexandrite: Transformation and adaptability
- Ruby: Passion and vitality
- Peridot: Prosperity and warmth
- Spinel: Energy and perseverance
- Sardonyx: Courage and stability
- Sapphire: Wisdom and sincerity
- Opal: Creativity and hope
- Citrine: Joy and abundance
- Topaz: Success and affection
- Tanzanite: Transformation and insight
- Zircon: Prosperity and clarity
- Turquoise: Healing and protection
- Blue Topaz: Communication and calm
Which finger do you wear a birthstone ring on?
You can wear a birthstone ring on any finger you prefer. Most people choose based on comfort or personal style rather than tradition. Common choices include the ring finger, middle finger, or index finger.
What month has the most birthstones?
December has the most recognized modern birthstones: tanzanite, zircon, turquoise, and blue topaz. All showcase cool blue hues that reflect the winter season.
