Each month has one or more birthstones, from garnet in January to turquoise in December. The modern list used in the United States was set by the jewelry trade in 1912 and has been updated a few times since.
Birthstones by month
| Month | Modern birthstones | Color | Affordable crystal alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Deep red | Red jasper |
| February | Amethyst | Purple | Amethyst is affordable itself |
| March | Aquamarine | Pale blue | Blue lace agate |
| April | Diamond | Colorless | Clear quartz |
| May | Emerald | Green | Green aventurine |
| June | Pearl, moonstone, alexandrite | White, shimmering | Moonstone |
| July | Ruby | Red | Carnelian |
| August | Peridot, spinel | Olive green, many colors | Green aventurine |
| September | Sapphire | Blue | Sodalite or lapis lazuli |
| October | Opal, tourmaline | Play of color, pink | Rose quartz |
| November | Topaz, citrine | Yellow to orange | Citrine |
| December | Turquoise, tanzanite, zircon | Blue | Amazonite |
The alternatives are our suggestions by color. They are not official birthstones.
Where the list comes from
Wearing a stone for your birth month became popular in Europe a few centuries ago, inspired by older traditions of twelve stones. In 1912 American jewelers agreed on a standard list. Later additions include tanzanite for December in 2002 and spinel for August in 2016. Other countries and older “traditional” lists differ slightly.
Birthstone or zodiac stone?
A birthstone follows the calendar month. A zodiac stone follows your sign, which runs from about the 20th of one month to the 20th of the next. Someone born on March 25 has aquamarine as a birthstone and Aries stones as zodiac stones. Compare in the zodiac crystals chart.
Buying birthstone gifts
- Gem-quality stones such as ruby, emerald and sapphire are costly and often treated or lab-grown. Ask what you are buying.
- Tumbled stones and beads in the same color make inexpensive, personal gifts.
- Example searches: birthstone jewelry and birthstone crystal gifts.
Care
Pearl, opal and turquoise are soft and sensitive to water, perfume and heat. Amethyst fades in strong sun. See Crystals that cannot go in water and the Mohs hardness scale.
Can I wear a birthstone that is not mine?
Of course. Wear what you like.
Why do some months have several stones?
Lists were extended to offer more colors and price levels.