Last updated on November 6, 2026
Every month has a gemstone with a story to tell. Some stand out for their rich colors, while others hold special meaning for the people who wear them. If you’re looking for a birthstone for yourself or someone you love, you may have asked: What is the birthstone of each month?
We’ve put together a complete look at birthstones by month, including their colors, symbolism, hardness, and jewelry styling ideas. Now it’s time to explore the beauty behind these gems!
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Birthstones by Month: A Quick Comparison Chart
Birthstones by Month: A Quick Comparison Chart
Whether you’re looking for birthstone rings or other meaningful jewelry, knowing which gems represent your birthday can make choosing easier. Here’s a modern list of birthstones for every month to help you find the right one at a glance:
| Month | Birthstones | Signature Hues | Durability & Wearability |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Deep Crimson, Forest Green, Warm Amber | Moderate |
| February | Amethyst | Regal Violet, Lavender, Deep Purple | Moderate |
| March | Aquamarine, Bloodstone | Seafoam Blue, Dark Green with Red Flecks | High / Moderate |
| April | Diamond | Classic Colorless, Fancy Yellow, Champagne | Exceptional |
| May | Emerald | Rich Botanical Green, Vivid Verdant | Moderate |
| June | Alexandrite, Moonstone, Pearl | Color-shifting, Iridescent White, Cream | High / Moderate / Gentle |
| July | Ruby | Fiery Pigeon-blood Red | Exceptional |
| August | Peridot, Spinel, Sardonyx | Lime Olive Green, Vivid Scarlet, Banded Red | Moderate to High |
| September | Sapphire | Royal Velvet Blue, Fancy Pastel Rainbow | Exceptional |
| October | Opal, Tourmaline | Opalescent Rainbow, Pink & Green | Gentle / High |
| November | Topaz, Citrine | Golden Honey, Warm Amber, Imperial Peach | High |
| December | Turquoise, Tanzanite, Zircon, Blue Topaz | Sky Cyan, Velvet Violet-Blue, Brilliant Blue | Gentle to High |
*Chart based on birthstone associations recognized by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and American Gem Society (AGS).
January: Garnet
January: Garnet
Garnet is the only birthstone for January. Although this gemstone comes in a remarkable range of colors, red remains the most traditional choice for this month. In the Middle Ages, garnet was believed to protect against nightmares, help heal wounds, and bring good health. Its warm, festive color and symbolism of strength make it a meaningful way to start the year.
- Color: Deep red is classic, with green, orange, and purple varieties.
- Meaning: Traditionally associated with protection, friendship, and devotion.
- Hardness: 6.5–7.5 Mohs, suitable for jewelry with reasonable care.
February: Amethyst
February: Amethyst
February sits between the stillness of winter and the first signs of spring, making it a natural time for reflection and fresh beginnings. Amethyst, the month’s birthstone, captures that feeling with its peaceful purple tones. Often cconnected to calm, emotional renewal, and personal growth, it carries a meaning that feels right for this time of change.
- Color: Vibrant royal purple, soft lilac, and deep magenta-tinted violet.
- Meaning: Represents inner peace, mental clarity, balance, and emotional healing.
- Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale, amethyst is durable but requires avoiding strong impacts.
March: Aquamarine and Bloodstone
March: Aquamarine and Bloodstone
When it comes to birthstones by month, March differs from the first two months by having two recognized gemstones: aquamarine and bloodstone. Aquamarine evokes the clarity and movement of flowing streams, bringing a fresh sense of energy to spring. Bloodstone, meanwhile, has an earthy, almost sculptural character that feels perfectly suited to celebrating nature’s renewal.
- Color: Aquamarine is pale blue to blue-green; bloodstone is dark green with red flecks.
- Meaning: Aquamarine signifies tranquility, clear communication, and harmony; Bloodstone embodies vitality and courage.
- Hardness: Aquamarine 7.5–8, offering great resistance to scratching; bloodstone approximately 6.5–7 Mohs.
April: Diamond
April: Diamond
April is a season full of light and clarity. Flowers bloom, days grow brighter, and the world bursts with new vitality. Its birthstone, diamond, feels like a natural match. Long associated with purity, lasting love, and unbreakable bonds, this birthstone looks just as beautiful in a simple solitaire as it does in an intricate heirloom-inspired piece.
- Color: Usually colorless to near-colorless, with fancy-colored varieties.
- Meaning: Diamond symbolizes eternal love, commitment, and strength.
- Hardness: 10 Mohs, the highest scratch resistance among natural gemstones.
May: Emerald
May: Emerald
In May, when everything is in full bloom, emerald is clearly the most fitting birthstone. Its vibrant green color mirrors the energy of spring, while the natural inclusions inside many emeralds, often called jardin (French for “garden”), give each gem a character all its own. That rich, organic beauty looks especially striking in yellow gold and Art Deco-style settings.
- Color: Rich, vivid green with undertones ranging from cool bluish-green to warm golden-tinted green.
- Meaning: Traditionally linked to rebirth, foresight, prosperity, and unconditional love.
- Hardness: 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, requiring protective settings due to natural internal inclusions.
June: Moonstone, Alexandrite, Pearl
June: Moonstone, Alexandrite, Pearl
Among all month birthstones, June stands out with three distinct gems. Pearls have a soft, timeless elegance, moonstone seems to hold a little moonlight inside, and alexandrite changes from greenish to reddish hues as the lighting shifts. It’s a lovely mix of gemstones for a month that marks the beginning of summer.
- Color: Moonstone often appears milky white with a blue sheen; alexandrite shifts from greenish to reddish tones; pearls range from white and cream to darker hues.
- Meaning: Moonstone represents intuition, alexandrite good fortune, and pearl purity.
- Hardness: 6–6.5 (Moonstone); 8.5 (Alexandrite); 2.5–4.5 (Pearl, requiring gentle wear).
July: Ruby
July: Ruby
July is all about the heat and energy of summer, and ruby couldn’t be a more fitting birthstone. Its rich red color brings to mind the blazing sun, while its long-standing ties to royalty and romance give it a sense of history. Whether set in a modern ring or a vintage-inspired piece, this gem makes a bold impression.
- Color: Ruby’s hue ranges from pinkish red to intense crimson.
- Meaning: Represents passion, courage, and vitality.
- Hardness: 9 Mohs, offering excellent scratch resistance for everyday jewelry.
August: Sardonyx, Peridot, and Spinel
August: Sardonyx, Peridot, and Spinel
August gets three birthstones, and each brings something different to the table. Sardonyx has the striped look of an old-fashioned cameo, peridot feels bright and summery with its yellow-green color, and spinel offers everything from rich reds to soft pinks and cool blues. Together, they capture the colorful, relaxed mood of late summer.
- Color: Sardonyx features contrasting bands; peridot is lime olive green; spinel occurs in red, pink, blue, and more.
- Meaning: Sardonyx symbolizes courage, peridot renewal, and spinel hope and vitality.
- Hardness: Sardonyx 6.5–7; peridot 6.5–7; spinel approximately 8 Mohs.
September: Sapphire
September: Sapphire
September is another month with just one birthstone—sapphire. This gem is best known for its rich blue hue, but it also comes in a variety of colors. In the Middle Ages, clergy often wore sapphire to represent heaven, and kings believed it would protect them from harm and envy.
- Color: Classic blue, pink, yellow, green, and other shades.
- Meaning: Represents wisdom, noble truth, loyalty, and spiritual focus.
- Hardness: 9 on the Mohs scale, superior for long-lasting ring and necklace center stones.
October: Opal and Tourmaline
October: Opal and Tourmaline
October brings changing leaves, softer sunlight, and two birthstones that seem made for this month. Opal catches the light with shifting rainbow colors, while tourmaline offers an impressive range of shades. Knowing the meaning behind October’s birthstones can help you decide which one feels more personal.
- Color: Opal displays varied play-of-color; tourmaline comes in numerous hues.
- Meaning: Opal represents hope and creativity; tourmaline is associated with compassion and emotional harmony.
- Hardness: Opal approximately 5–6.5 and needs gentle handling; tourmaline 7–7.5 Mohs.
November: Topaz and Citrine
November: Topaz and Citrine
November ushers in the season of harvest, and this month has two birthstones — topaz and citrine. The former comes in more colors than you might expect, and old legends claimed it could break spells and calm anger. The latter, sometimes called the “Merchant’s Stone,” carries its own tradition of attracting prosperity and good luck.
- Color: Citrine ranges from pale yellow to orange; topaz occurs in blue, golden, pink, and other hues.
- Meaning: The two November birthstones have distinct significances, with citrine symbolizing prosperity and optimism and topaz representing friendship and strength.
- Hardness: Citrine 7; topaz 8 Mohs, although it can cleave under strong impact.
December: Zircon, Turquoise, Tanzanite, Blue Topaz
December: Zircon, Turquoise, Tanzanite, Blue Topaz
December’s birthstones have a distinctly wintry feel. Think of tanzanite’s deep blue-violet tones, the soft blue-green of turquoise, and the bright flashes of blue zircon.
Then there’s blue topaz, a popular alternative birthstone, though it still isn’t part of GIA’s three-stone December list. Together, they create a peaceful palette to end the year.
- Color: Zircon appears in many colors, including blue; turquoise is blue to green; tanzanite is blue-violet; blue topaz ranges from sky blue to deep blue.
- Meaning: Zircon symbolizes wisdom, turquoise protection, tanzanite transformation, and blue topaz calm communication. (👉🏻 Learn more their symbolisms.)
- Hardness: Zircon 6–7.5; turquoise 5–6; tanzanite 6–7; blue topaz 8 Mohs.
Why Should You Choose Birthstones for Fine Jewelry?
Why Should You Choose Birthstones for Fine Jewelry?
What makes these gems special is the personal meaning they bring to jewelry. Choosing birthstones by month can turn even the simplest ring, necklace, or pair of earrings into a piece that feels uniquely yours.
Birthstone Rings for A Personal Signature
Birthstone Rings for A Personal Signature
The birthstones for each month offer a diverse palette of colors. Diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and alexandrites can all add visual interest to the ring.
Their individual significance also makes birthstone ring a thoughtful choice for gifting, particularly on occasions like Valentine’s Day.
Necklaces and Earrings for Effortless Versatility
Necklaces and Earrings for Effortless Versatility
For softer gemstones like pearls, opals, and moonstones, necklaces and earrings can be more practical choices than rings. A sleek birthstone pendant rests close to the heart as a personal talisman, while delicate drop earrings frame the face with meaningful colors that reflect your personal journey or family heritage.
The Perfect Gift for Self-Care and Loved Ones
The Perfect Gift for Self-Care and Loved Ones
Birthstone jewelry celebrates more than birthdays. It can commemorate a new chapter, honor someone special, or simply reflect a color you love. Whether purchased as a treat for yourself or a gift for someone else, it offers a personal touch that makes the piece more memorable.
📖 Need something special for your family? Take a look at these birthstone jewelry gift ideas for mom.
FAQs About Birthstones for Each Month
FAQs About Birthstones for Each Month
What are the 12 month traditional birthstones?
What are the three rarest birthstone months?
What's the weakest birthstone?
Pearl (Mohs 2.5–4.5), Turquoise (5–6), and Opal (5.5–6.5) feature lower hardness ratings. They require protective bezel settings and gentle care to prevent surface scratching.
How should I choose if my month has more than one birthstone?
Which birthstones are best for everyday engagement rings?
Diamond, ruby, sapphire, and alexandrite offer strong scratch resistance. Setting design, gemstone toughness, and daily activities also affect durability.
Can I customize and mix multiple birthstones in one piece of jewelry?
Yes, mixing multiple birthstones in one design is a meaningful way to represent family members, partners, or special connections. If you do not see this option on the product page, feel free to email us at service@mollyjewelryus.com for a custom design.
Which birthstones by month are considered precious gems?
The precious gems are diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. They belong to April, May, July, and September respectively.
Are natural and lab-grown birthstones equally meaningful?
Yes, both can carry the same personal symbolism. Lab-grown gemstones have essentially the same chemical and physical properties as their natural counterparts.
How are birthstones chosen for each month?
Are alternative birthstones considered official?
Yes. Modern gem associations periodically update official birthstone lists to offer durable or accessible alternatives alongside historic traditional options.
Find a Birth Gemstone by Month That Feels Like Yours
Find a Birth Gemstone by Month That Feels Like Yours
Birthstones by month create a meaningful connection between gemology and personal expression. Beyond their beautiful colors and traditional symbolism of protection, these gemstones can turn everyday jewelry into cherished keepsakes.
The good news? You can find rings, necklaces, and earrings featuring many of these birthstones at MollyJewelryUS, with carefully crafted details and contemporary settings. Take a look and choose a piece that feels like part of your story.
