Birthstones By Month: Traditional & Modern Chart

Sharif Khan
Sharif Khan
Last Updated    EST 
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The Gregorian calendar assigns a specific gemstone to each month. Rings, necklaces, and bracelets adorned with these majestic natural stones are popular fashion accessories and thoughtful presents for special occasions.

Birthstones are a part of traditions enriched with deep historical, cultural, and spiritual roots. Many tribes and civilizations throughout history have bestowed unique abilities and meanings upon each birthstone.

Birthstones are highly symbolic and have healing properties. When people wear the stone associated with their birth month, they feel empowered, protected, and fortunate. A person's birthstone also carries symbolic significance, reminding them of their unique personality or life mission.

These gems have gained popularity in fashion and jewelry and are known for their traditional metaphysical properties. Jewelers frequently incorporate birthstones into their designs to help customers celebrate their birth month.

Search for and watch HD videos of Birthstones by Month at Blue Nile.

Birthstones have deep historical, cultural, and spiritual roots, each month associated with a specific gemstone. Worn for empowerment, protection, and luck, these stones symbolize personality and purpose.

  • Historical Roots: Early civilizations, like the Babylonians, Hebrews, and Ayurvedic traditions in India, believed in the healing and protective powers of gemstones.

  • Modern Popularity: In the 18th century, European jewelers popularized birthstones by month. The American National Retail Jewelers Association later formalized the list we use today.

Jewelry featuring birthstones remains popular for celebrating birth months and tapping into these stones' symbolic and metaphysical qualities.

January Birthstone

The modern and traditional January birthstone is Garnet, typically found in deep red shades. However, it can also come in various colors, including orange, yellow, green, purple, brown, and even transparent. Garnets have been worn as amulets and talismans of protection for centuries.

January Birthstone Ring

January Birthstone Ring [Watch in HD].

Garnet is a tough gemstone with a Mohs hardness between 6.5 and 7.5. It can withstand scratches but must be safeguarded against forceful impacts and extreme temperatures. Since garnet can be cut and polished to additional hues and shapes, it is frequently used in rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Red garnet is particularly popular in designing different jewelry pieces.

Ancient cultures, such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, prized garnets because they were convinced of their magical and curative abilities. The gem garnet is commonly connected with virtues like fortitude, safety, and vigor. It is claimed that garnets may cleanse one's soul, body, and spirit and provide wisdom in times of need. 

February Birthstone

Amethyst is a beautiful birthstone for February. It is a type of quartz that comes in a wide range of purple colors, from light pink to deep violet. Amethyst is often thought to help you think more clearly, grow spiritually, and protect you from evil spirits. Many people believe that wearing amethyst can make you feel calmer, help you meditate, and make you more intuitive.

Amethyst February Birthstone

Feburary Birthstone Halo Ring [Watch in HD].

Amethyst is a famous stone for rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, among other types of jewelry. Because of its many sizes, shapes, and beautiful colors, jewelers can use it to make traditional and modern pieces.

Amethyst's refractive index ranges from around 1.544 to 1.553, exhibiting a vitreous sheen. This gem possesses the potential to display a fascinating brightness and shine when subjected to cutting and faceting techniques. Amethyst is widely distributed across several geographical regions worldwide, with notable occurrences in Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, and Russia. Brazil is known for its production of high-quality amethyst. 

Certain specimens of amethyst can be subjected to thermal treatment to augment or modify their hue. The application of heat can induce a chemical transformation in pale amethyst, resulting in the creation of other gemstones, such as citrine & ametrine. In specific instances, applying elevated temperatures to amethyst might generate a reddish hue, resembling the scarce ametrine gemstone.

Amethyst crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system, forming prismatic or pyramidal crystals. It boasts a Mohs hardness of 7, which indicates good durability, making it suitable for various types of jewelry. 

March Birthstone

Aquamarine, sometimes known as the "gem of the sea," ranges in stunning hues of blue and blue-green colors. In many civilizations, aquamarine has deep historical roots. Aquamarine amulets protect ancient sailors and travelers on long journeys at sea.

Aquamarine Earrings March

March Birthstone Earrings [Watch in HD]

Aquamarine's crystal structure is identical to emerald since both are forms of the beryl mineral. Its Mohs hardness ranges from 7.5 to 8, and its hexagonal crystal structure makes it a versatile material for jewelry.

Bloodstone is a traditional birthstone for March. Also known as heliotrope, it is a unique and distinctive gemstone distinguished by its dark green base color with crimson or brown flecks or patches that resemble blood drops. 

It has an extensive past associated with numerous symbolic connotations, such as vigor, fortitude, and endurance. In ancient times, bloodstone was believed to have protective properties and to provide the wearer with curative energy. The belief that the crimson specks represented Christ's blood led to their use in religious jewelry.

April Birthstone

Diamonds are the epitome of beauty and elegance, making them a fitting choice as the April birthstone. This unique gem is available in numerous tints, including colorless, yellow, brown, and uncommon hues like blue, pink, and green. The most valuable and coveted diamonds are colorless or with light undertones of other colors.

April Birthstone [Watch in HD]

Diamonds exhibit a unique cubic crystal lattice and are renowned for their exceptional hardness, scoring a flawless ten on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Their incredible endurance guarantees the preservation of their outstanding sparkle and brightness, even when subjected to regular wear and environmental exposure.

Throughout history, royalty and nobility have valued diamonds as symbols of wealth, power, and prestige. Diamonds are the premier gemstone for jewelry and are frequently used in engagement rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, among other items. Their adaptability, brilliance, and enduring allure make them a jewelry design staple.

May Birthstone

A majestic birthstone for May, the enchanting green hue of emeralds spans from a calming pale green to a deep, rich shade reminiscent of verdant landscapes. With a Mohs hardness between 7.5 and 8, emeralds are comparatively resilient. As a stone of regeneration and expansion, it finds its association with rebirth and transmutation.

May Birthstone Necklace [Watch in HD]

Emeralds have a rich historical legacy of admiration that may be traced back to prehistoric cultures. The Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans regarded these objects as symbols of opulence and authority. Cleopatra, the renowned monarch of ancient Egypt, was famous for her profound affinity for emeralds.

Emeralds are regarded as symbols of harmony, fecundity, and unity, which makes them prized presents for various life milestones. Their vibrant green tint lends itself to a variety of exquisite jewelry pieces, including rings, necklaces, earrings, and pendants. They are often set with diamonds or other gemstones that enhance their allure and attractiveness.

June Birthstone

Pearls are rare and beautiful biological gems made by mollusks rather than minerals. The two primary types of pearls are natural pearls and cultivated pearls. Rare and uncultivated, natural pearls are a testament to nature's beauty. Pearl farmers intentionally irritate mollusks to induce pearl development, resulting in cultured pearls. 

Pearl Birthstone June

June Birthstone Studs [Watch in HD]

Cultured and natural pearls are in white, cream, pink, and even black hues. They strongly associate feminine values like purity, innocence, and softness. Because of their understated elegance, pearls make a classic choice for jewelry that may be passed down through the generations.

Another intriguing June birthstone, alexandrite, is regarded for its extraordinary color-changing characteristics. It is chilly and bluish-green when viewed in natural or artificial light. Its color changes to a warm, reddish-purple or purplish-red hue under incandescent lighting, such as in a candle or an indoor light bulb. 

In the 1830s, alexandrite was unearthed for the first time in the Russian Ural Mountains; the name honors Tsar Alexander II. Alexandrite deposits have been discovered in several countries, including Russia, Sri Lanka, Brazil, and East Africa. However, the best-known alexandrite comes from Russia due to its remarkable color variation and quality.

July Birthstone

As July's birthstone, Ruby is a valuable gemstone adored for its brilliant red hue and historical significance. Rubies are highly valued for their intense and vibrant red hue, which ranges from dark crimson to bright scarlet. The hue results from chromium's presence in the corundum mineral structure.

July Birthstone Ring [Watch in HD]

The finest rubies have a deep red hue and superior clarity and brilliance. Rubrics are among the hardest gemstones because of their hexagonal crystal structure and Mohs hardness of 9. They are associated with ardor, affection, vitality, and courage and are frequently viewed as symbols of power and spirit. In some cultures, rubies are believed to provide protection and good fortune.

Rubies are highly valued gemstones in jewelry, such as rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Their vibrant crimson hue is distinctive and opulent, appealing to traditional and contemporary aesthetics.

Rubies are distributed over multiple regions worldwide, with notable origins encompassing Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), Thailand, Sri Lanka, and East Africa. Burmese rubies are widely recognized for their remarkable color and quality, garnering significant acclaim in the gemstone industry.

August Birthstone

Peridot, August's alluring birthstone, is renowned for its unique lime-green hue. The color exhibits a broad spectrum, encompassing a light yellow-green and a darker olive-green shade. The chromatic appearance is attributed to the existence of iron inside its crystalline framework. Peridot possesses a substantial historical background that spans several millennia.

Peridot Birthstone Earrings August

August Birthstone Earrings [Watch HD]

Throughout history, diverse nations, from ancient Egypt to ancient Rome, have held this artifact in high regard. The ancient Egyptians commonly designated peridot as the "gem of the sun" because of its association with solar symbolism. This gem was widely believed to have inherent protective qualities, particularly in warding off evil spirits. The fascinating green hue exhibited by peridot renders it a highly sought-after gemstone for many types of jewelry, such as rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.

Spinel, another birthstone associated with August, is available in numerous colors, from white to black. It is a strong gemstone that can withstand wear and tear thanks to its cubic crystal structure and Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8. It is often used to symbolize insight, rebirth, and power while also helping you relax and feel good about life again by releasing tension and stress. Spinel, the August birthstone, is associated with rebirth and fresh starts. Its scarcity and aesthetic value have made it a highly valued commodity across cultures.

The enormous red spinel, the "Black Prince's Ruby," is set in the British Imperial State Crown.  

September Birthstone

Sapphire is a precious jewel celebrated for its dazzling blue hue and resilience. As the birthstone of September, Sapphire is most well-known for its dark blue tint, but it can be found in many colors, including shades of blue, pink, yellow, green, and orange.

Sapphire September Birthstone Earrings

September Birthstone Earrings [Watch in HD]

Iron and titanium impurities within the corundum mineral structure are responsible for its blue hue. Sapphire is usually linked with sagacity, fidelity, aristocracy, and sincerity. It promotes inner serenity and calmness, as well as clarity. In antiquity, sapphires were believed to protect from injury and envy.

The care required for sapphires is not overly complicated. Regular washing with gentle soap and water is advised to maintain their luster. In addition, they should be shielded from damaging elements like chemicals and impacts.

October Birthstone

Opal is renowned for its distinctive play of color, a phenomenon in which the stone displays a captivating palette of hues that appear to change and shift as the stone is viewed from various angles. The opal is a stone of passion, creativity, and inspiration.

October Earrings Opal

September Birthstone Earrings [Watch in HD]

People feel opal's iridescent splendor can boost their mood and energy levels. While precious opals can be found in many locations, Australia is the most common source. Other countries that contribute are Mexico, Brazil, the United States, and Ethiopia. 

Opals are frequently used in one-of-a-kind artistic jewelry designs due to their captivating color play. Their iridescent brilliance is commonly showcased in jewelry, including pendants, earrings, and rings. This versatile gemstone can also create unique and beautiful jewelry when set in metals and paired with other stones.

Tourmaline is distinguished by its capacity to exhibit multiple colors within a single crystal. Bi-color tourmaline shows two distinct hues, whereas tri-color tourmaline displays three shades within a single crystal.

Various cultures have venerated tourmaline throughout history. Ancient civilizations believed that tourmaline could repel negative energies and promote physical health. In the nineteenth century, this gemstone became fashionable in Victorian jewelry.

While tourmaline is not a traditional birthstone, its dazzling range of colors and symbolic qualities make it a compelling option for individuals seeking an alternative birthstone choice for October.

November Birthstone

The alluring November birthstone, topaz, is available in several hues, from blues and pinks to yellows, browns, and more. Blue is one of the most well-known and well-liked topaz since its vivid hues can resemble bright blue skies.

Topaz November Birthstone

November Birthstone Pendant [Watch in HD]

Strength, healing, and protection are some of the frequently mentioned characteristics of topaz. It has been thought to have numerous benefits for emotional health, encouraging inner peace, harmony, and a sense of power. 

Imperial topaz is highly sought after. Its deep orange to pinkish-red tone is frequently equated with elegance and wealth.

Citrine, another birthstone associated with November, is distinguished by its radiant yellow tones and golden coloration. The gemstone's hue resembles the shifting foliage during autumn, making it an ideal November choice. 

Citrine is commonly perceived as a gemstone that embodies the qualities of plenty, success, and happiness. Its vibrant and optimistic hue is frequently associated with the ability to evoke feelings of joy, vitality, and a heightened sense of self-confidence in individuals who wear garments of such shade. Citrine is purported to augment artistic ingenuity, bolster self-assurance, and allure affluence.

It possesses a notable level of durability, as seen by its Mohs hardness rating of 7, rendering it ideal for regular and sustained use. Protect the object from potential damage caused by abrasions and corrosive substances. Use a gentle soap and water solution as a safe method for cleaning citrine jewelry.

December Birthstone

Zircon's fiery brilliance and high refractive index make it a gemstone exhibiting remarkable sparkle and light play. It is renowned for its dispersion, creating flashes of rainbow-like colors, similar to a diamond. December's birthstone is commonly connected with wealth, intelligence, and spiritual grounding. It strengthens mental clarity, self-assurance, and a sense of peace and eradicates negative energies by boosting positive ones.

Zircon has been employed as a precious stone for centuries. Due to its brilliance and vivid hues, it was widely used in Victorian jewelry. Due to its exceptional brilliance and extensive color palette, it is a popular option for various jewelry items, including rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Blue zircon is often used to create elegant and vibrant items.

While zircon is commonly associated with December as a birthstoneturquoise and tanzanite are also on the modern birthstone list for December.

Turquoise, a December birthstone, is famous for its distinctive blue-green hue that evokes clear skies and tranquil waters. Its hue can range from faint to dark blue, frequently with intricate brown or black matrix patterns. Throughout history, turquoise has been linked to protection, healing, and positive energy and is revered as a talisman against negative influences, making it a symbol of good fortune and health. It also promotes emotional balance, communication, and spiritual development.

Turquoise Bracelet [Watch in HD]

Tanzanite is a relatively recent discovery found exclusively in the Merelani Hills of Tanzania. Its color can range from deep blue to violet, and it frequently displays pleochroism, which causes it to display various hues from different angles. 

Tanzanite is associated with metamorphosis, awakening of the spirit, and communication. It enhances intuition, promotes mental clarity, and fosters a more profound connection to one's inner self. Tanzanite is regarded as a stone of heightened awareness and consciousness.

Due to its Mohs hardness of 6.5 to 7, it should be handled and stored with care to prevent scars. It is also sensitive to temperature variations and must be shielded from direct sunlight. We suggest you clean it with a delicate cloth and mild soap to preserve its luster.

Historical Background of Birthstones

The history and origin of birthstones can be dated back to some early human civilizations, from the ancient Babylonians to Hebrews and Ayurvedic traditions in India.

In summary, here are some important historical insights to cherish:

The Babylonians

The origins of birthstones can be traced back to the ancient civilizations of the Babylonians. They believed these stones possessed unique abilities capable of protecting and promoting healing.

The Hebrews

The ancient Hebrews established a connection between gemstones and the twelve tribes of Israel, adorning a breastplate with twelve stunning stones. This practice influenced the contemporary notion of birthstones.

The Book of Exodus in the Bible refers to the Breastplate of Aaron, a sacred vestment worn by the priest embellished with twelve gemstones symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel. This phenomenon could also be attributed to establishing a correlation between gemstones and particular months.

Ayurvedic Medicine in India

The ancient tradition of Ayurvedic medicine in India has long been associated with utilizing gemstones and their purported therapeutic attributes. Using natural gemstones to augment overall wellness and harmonize energy centers, also known as chakras, has significantly impacted the conception of birthstones.

Modern Era

During the 18th and 19th centuries, birthstones gained significant popularity and demand as jewelers and gemstone sellers in Poland and Germany initiated a campaign to endorse adorning oneself with distinct gemstones corresponding to each month.

The American National Retail Jewelers Association established a contemporary compilation of birthstones during the initial decades of the 20th century. The designed list has gained widespread acceptance and remains in current usage, with some modifications observed across many cultural and regional contexts.