Birthstones by Month: The Complete 12-Month Guide

Where Birthstones Come From

The idea of a stone assigned to each birth month traces back centuries, drawing loosely on the twelve gems described in the biblical Breastplate of Aaron and later linked to the twelve months and zodiac signs across European folklore. The modern list most jewelers use today was standardized in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers (now Jewelers of America) and has been revised a handful of times since, most recently adding a few stones to give shoppers more options at different price points.

That's why many months now have both a "traditional" birthstone rooted in older folklore and a "modern" alternative that's more widely available or affordable. Below is a month-by-month guide to both, along with what each stone is said to symbolize and basic care advice.

January – Garnet

Garnet is the sole birthstone for January in both the traditional and modern lists, most commonly seen in a deep wine-red, though the garnet family also includes green, orange, and pink varieties. It has long symbolized protection for travelers and constancy in relationships. Garnet rates around 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it reasonably durable for everyday jewelry; clean it with warm soapy water and avoid harsh ultrasonic cleaners on included stones.

February – Amethyst

Amethyst, the purple variety of quartz, has represented clarity of mind and protection from intoxication since antiquity; its name derives from the Greek word for "not intoxicated." At 7 on the Mohs scale, amethyst holds up well to daily wear. It can fade with prolonged sun exposure, so store pieces away from bright windowsills.

March – Aquamarine and Bloodstone

The modern birthstone for March is aquamarine, a pale blue-green beryl associated with calm seas and safe travel for sailors. The traditional stone is bloodstone, a dark green chalcedony flecked with red jasper inclusions, historically linked to courage and vitality. Aquamarine is quite hard and durable at 7.5 to 8, while bloodstone at 6.5 to 7 is a bit softer but still suitable for most jewelry with reasonable care.

April – Diamond

Diamond has held the April birthstone spot in both traditional and modern lists, prized as a symbol of everlasting love and, fittingly, valued as the hardest natural material at 10 on the Mohs scale. That extreme hardness makes diamond essentially scratch-proof in daily wear, though it can still chip from a sharp impact along its cleavage planes.

May – Emerald

Emerald, the green variety of beryl, has symbolized rebirth and love since ancient Egyptian times. At 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale it sounds durable, but emeralds are typically included with natural fractures, so they are more prone to chipping than their hardness alone suggests. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaning; a soft cloth and mild soapy water are safest.

June – Pearl, Alexandrite, and Moonstone

June is unusual in offering three recognized birthstones. Pearl is the traditional choice, formed organically inside mollusks and symbolizing purity. Alexandrite, a color-changing variety of chrysoberyl that shifts from green in daylight to red under incandescent light, and moonstone, a feldspar known for its glowing blue sheen, round out the modern options. Pearl is notably soft at 2.5 to 4.5 and easily etched by perfume or cosmetics, so it should be the last thing put on and first thing taken off when getting ready.

July – Ruby

Ruby, the red variety of corundum, has symbolized passion and vitality across cultures for millennia. At 9 on the Mohs scale, it's second only to diamond in hardness, making it an excellent choice for rings worn daily. Most commercial rubies are heat-treated to improve color and clarity, which is a widely accepted industry practice.

August – Peridot and Spinel

Peridot, a green gem-quality form of olivine that sometimes arrives on Earth via meteorites, is the modern and long-standing birthstone for August. Spinel, available in a wide range of colors and once frequently mistaken for ruby and sapphire throughout history, was added as an additional modern option in 2016. Peridot rates 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, so avoid harsh chemicals and sudden temperature changes, which can cause thermal shock.

September – Sapphire

Sapphire covers every color of corundum except red (which is classified as ruby), though the deep blue variety is most associated with September. It has long symbolized wisdom and royalty. Like ruby, sapphire's 9 hardness rating makes it one of the most durable and low-maintenance gemstone choices for everyday jewelry.

October – Opal and Tourmaline

Opal, the traditional October birthstone, is famous for its flashing play of color caused by microscopic silica spheres diffracting light. Tourmaline, added as a modern alternative for its exceptional range of colors, offers a more durable option at 7 to 7.5 versus opal's softer 5.5 to 6.5. Because opal contains water in its structure, keep it away from extreme dryness or heat to prevent surface crazing.

November – Topaz and Citrine

Topaz, especially in its prized blue and imperial orange varieties, and citrine, the sunny yellow quartz variety, both represent November. Both stones symbolize warmth and friendship. Topaz rates 8 on the Mohs scale and citrine 7, so both are durable enough for rings, though topaz can cleave if struck at the wrong angle.

December – Turquoise, Zircon, and Tanzanite

December closes the year with three options: turquoise, one of the oldest gemstones used in jewelry and long associated with protection; zircon, a naturally sparkling stone often confused with the lab-made simulant cubic zirconia despite being a completely different, entirely natural mineral; and tanzanite, a striking blue-violet gem discovered only in 1967 near Mount Kilimanjaro and mined almost exclusively in that one Tanzanian region. Turquoise is comparatively soft at 5 to 6 and porous, so keep it away from lotions, perfumes, and prolonged water exposure.

Choosing and Caring for a Birthstone

When choosing between traditional and modern birthstones, there's no wrong answer: pick whichever color, durability, and price point fits how the piece will actually be worn. As a general rule, stones rated 7 or higher on the Mohs hardness scale (quartz varieties, topaz, corundum, diamond) hold up best to daily wear, while softer stones like pearl, opal, and turquoise are better suited to earrings, pendants, or occasional-wear rings where they face less abrasion.

• Store soft stones (below 7 on the Mohs scale) separately to prevent scratching from harder gems.
• Remove rings before applying lotion, perfume, or cleaning products.
• Clean most stones with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush; skip ultrasonic cleaners for included or porous stones like emerald, opal, and turquoise.
• Have prong settings checked periodically by a jeweler, since a loose setting is the most common cause of a lost stone.

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