ENDS SOON! Receive a Lab Diamond Necklace With Purchase Over $1,000. Use Code SPARKLE in Cart.
ENDS SOON! Lab Diamond Necklace With Purchase Over $1,000.
Use Code SPARKLE in Cart.
Use Code SPARKLE in Cart.
Have a question?
We're happy to help
Start with Our Diamond Quiz
Birthstone Chart
Our birthstone chart shows each month’s gemstone, along with its color, hardness, and symbolic meaning. Use it as a guide to explore the qualities that make every birthstone unique.
Expertise you can trust: Brilliant Earth is known for its award-winning jewelry designs and seamless, innovative shopping experience. This Brilliant Earth gemstone guide lists every traditional and modern birthstone by color, hardness, and meaning in an easy-to-read chart. All Brilliant Earth guides are meticulously researched and reviewed by our certified gemologists, content, editorial, and brand teams before publication to ensure industry-leading excellence and accuracy.
Birthstone Chart by Month
Birthstones are gemstones traditionally associated with each month of the year, each carrying its own color, history, and meaning.
The tradition of birthstones dates back to ancient times, when gemstones were thought to hold symbolic properties and connections to the zodiac. Over time, it evolved into the modern practice of assigning specific gems to each month.
This progression is reflected in the chart below, which outlines each month’s birthstone and its defining characteristics.
Month | Birthstone | Modern or Traditional | Birthstone Color | Birthstone Hardness (Mohs) | Birthstone Meaning | Birthstone Jewelry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Modern | Deep red | 6.5-7.5 | Protection and friendship | |||
Modern | Purple | 7 | Calm and balance | |||
Modern | Light to deep blue | 7.5-8 | Tranquility and clarity | |||
Bloodstone | Traditional | Dark green with red flecks | 6.5-7 | Courage and vitality | ||
Modern | Colorless to various hues | 10 | Strength and everlasting love | |||
Modern | Vivid green | 7.5-8 | Renewal and growth | |||
Modern | White to cream with iridescence | 2.5-4.5 | Purity and wisdom | |||
Modern | Green to red color change | 8.5 | Transformation and adaptability | |||
Moonstone | Traditional | White, blue, or peach with sheen | 6-6.5 | Intuition and harmony | ||
Modern | Bright red | 9 | Passion and vitality | |||
Modern | Olive to bright green | 6.5-7 | Prosperity and warmth | |||
Modern | Red, pink, blue, violet | 8 | Energy and perseverance | |||
Sardonyx | Modern | Reddish brown with white bands | 6.5-7 | Courage and stability | ||
Modern | Deep blue | 9 | Wisdom and sincerity | |||
Opal | Modern | Multi-color play-of-light | 5-6.5 | Creativity and hope | ||
Modern | Pink, green, or multi-colored | 7-7.5 | Compassion and self-confidence | |||
Modern | Golden yellow | 7 | Joy and abundance | |||
Modern | Amber, blue, or colorless | 8 | Success and affection | |||
Modern | Blue to violet | 6-7 | Transformation and insight | |||
Zircon | Modern | Light blue | 7.5 | Prosperity and clarity | ||
Turquoise | Modern | Blue to green | 5-6 | Healing and protection | ||
Modern | Icy blue | 8 | Communication and calm | |||
Lapis Lazuli | Traditional | Deep blue with gold flecks | 5-5.5 | Truth and enlightenment |
Popular Birthstone Jewelry
FAQ
What does your birthstone say about you?
Your birthstone is often thought to reflect your personality, strengths, and emotional qualities. Each gemstone carries its own meaning, so your birthstone can serve as a personal symbol of your values, energy, or outlook on life. Here’s what each gemstone can say about you:
- 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
- Tourmaline: Compassion and self-confidence
- 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
Is jade a birthstone?
No, jade is not a modern or traditional birthstone. However, its rich green color and symbolic meaning of harmony and prosperity make it a popular alternative to emerald, the May birthstone. Both gemstones share associations with growth, renewal, and balance.
Is quartz a birthstone?
No, quartz itself is not a designated birthstone. However, amethyst, a purple variety of quartz, is the birthstone for February, and citrine, a golden variety of quartz, represents November. Both share quartz’s durability and brilliance but feature distinctive colors and symbolism.
Is morganite a birthstone?
No, morganite is not a modern or traditional birthstone. However, its soft pink color and romantic symbolism make it a beautiful alternative to October’s tourmaline which shares its gentle and elegant aesthetic. lf is not a designated birthstone. However, amethyst, a purple variety of quartz, is the birthstone for February, and citrine, a golden variety of quartz, represents November. Both share quartz’s durability and brilliance but feature distinctive colors and symbolism.
Is amber a birthstone?
No, amber is not a modern or traditional birthstone. However, its warm golden color and organic origin make it a meaningful alternative to November’s citrine or topaz, both of which share similar hues and symbolic associations with warmth, energy, and optimism.
