Birthstones for every month
Look up the modern and traditional birthstone for any month, along with the meaning each stone is commonly given. Birthstones are a centuries-old custom linking a gemstone to your birth month, popular for jewellery and gifts.
How it works
The page is a built-in reference table of all twelve months. Each row lists the modern stone (from the standardised 20th-century list), the traditional stone, and a short note on the symbolism. The search box filters the table live by matching your text against the month name, either stone, or the meaning — so you can search by month or by gemstone.
Example
A few well-known months:
| Month | Modern | Traditional | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Garnet | Protection, constancy, friendship |
| March | Aquamarine | Bloodstone | Courage, health, youth |
| April | Diamond | Diamond | Enduring love and strength |
| July | Ruby | Ruby | Passion, vitality, protection |
| September | Sapphire | Sapphire | Wisdom, loyalty, nobility |
Modern and traditional lists overlap for many months but diverge for a few, so both columns are shown side by side. Everything runs in your browser — nothing is sent anywhere.
The complete birthstone calendar
| Month | Modern stone | Traditional stone | Common symbolism |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Garnet | Loyalty, friendship, protection |
| February | Amethyst | Amethyst | Wisdom, calm, clarity |
| March | Aquamarine | Bloodstone | Courage, health, vitality |
| April | Diamond | Diamond | Enduring love, strength |
| May | Emerald | Emerald | Rebirth, hope, fortune |
| June | Pearl / Alexandrite | Pearl | Purity, new beginnings |
| July | Ruby | Ruby | Passion, courage, energy |
| August | Peridot | Sardonyx | Strength, protection, balance |
| September | Sapphire | Sapphire | Wisdom, loyalty, nobility |
| October | Opal / Tourmaline | Opal | Hope, creativity, confidence |
| November | Topaz / Citrine | Topaz | Warmth, abundance, healing |
| December | Turquoise / Tanzanite / Zircon | Turquoise | Friendship, luck, protection |
Months with two modern stones (June, August, October, November, December) have official alternates recognised by the American Gem Society or the Jewelers of America, allowing more choice in affordable stones.
Modern vs traditional: why they differ
The modern standardised birthstone list dates primarily to 1912, when the American National Retail Jewelers Association published the first formal list. It was updated in 1952, 2002, and again in 2016 (when tanzanite was added for December and spinel for August). The traditional list reflects older associations rooted in European and Middle Eastern history, influenced by the 12 stones of the biblical High Priest’s breastplate and later adapted through Renaissance-era gem lore.
The divergence is most visible in March (aquamarine versus bloodstone) and August (peridot or spinel versus sardonyx). For gift-giving purposes, either stone is appropriate — the recipient may have a preference for one list over the other.
Birthstones as jewellery gifts
When choosing a birthstone piece as a gift:
- Consider the recipient’s colouring — cool-toned people tend to suit sapphire, amethyst, and aquamarine, while warm-toned people often suit garnet, citrine, and topaz.
- Durability matters for everyday rings: diamond, sapphire, and ruby rank highest on the Mohs scale; opal and pearl are relatively soft and suit earrings or pendants.
- For children’s jewellery, amethyst and garnet are popular choices because they are relatively affordable, widely available, and durable enough for daily wear.