Birthstones by Month: The Complete Guide
Birthstone jewelry is one of the most personal gifts there is: a stone tied to someone's own month, with centuries of tradition behind the list.
The modern list was standardized by American jewelers in 1912 and has been lightly amended since, mostly to add alternatives where the traditional stone is rare or fragile. Several months have two or three recognized stones, which is good news for both taste and budget.
The full list
| Month | Birthstone(s) | Color | Everyday durability |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Deep red, also green and orange | Good |
| February | Amethyst | Purple | Good |
| March | Aquamarine | Pale blue | Very good |
| April | Diamond | Colorless and every fancy color | Excellent |
| May | Emerald | Green | Handle with care |
| June | Pearl, alexandrite, moonstone | White, color-change, glowing white-blue | Pearl and moonstone need care |
| July | Ruby | Red | Excellent |
| August | Peridot | Yellow-green | Moderate |
| September | Sapphire | Blue, plus every color but red | Excellent |
| October | Opal, tourmaline | Play-of-color; every color | Opal needs care |
| November | Topaz, citrine | Golden, blue; yellow-orange | Good |
| December | Turquoise, tanzanite, blue zircon | Sky blue; violet-blue; vivid blue | Varies, see the December guide |
Durability is the buying question
The single most useful thing to know before buying birthstone jewelry is how the stone handles daily life. Hardness is measured on the Mohs scale from 1 to 10; anything below about 7 will pick up scratches from ordinary dust over time, and some stones are also brittle or sensitive to heat and chemicals.
Hard stones like diamond, ruby, and sapphire shrug off daily wear in any setting. Middle stones like garnet, amethyst, and topaz do well in rings with sensible care. Softer or fragile stones like opal, pearl, and turquoise are happiest in earrings and pendants, or in protective settings worn thoughtfully.
Buying birthstone jewelry well
- For rings worn daily, prefer the month's harder option where one exists, or choose a bezel setting that shields the stone.
- Color is the value driver in most colored stones; a smaller stone with rich color beats a large pale one.
- Ask what treatments a stone has had. Most are routine and fine, but they should be disclosed and priced honestly.
- Lab-created versions of many birthstones offer the true color at a gentler price, clearly labeled.
Common questions
Can I choose an alternative stone for a month?
Of course. The lists are tradition, not law. Plenty of people pick by color or meaning instead. A birthstone is whichever stone makes the month feel like theirs.
Do you carry all twelve?
Between the showroom and what we can order in, yes. If you want a specific stone, size, or setting, ask and we will source options for you to see.
