Birthstone chart
| Month | Birthstone | Color | Birth flower |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Deep red | Carnation, snowdrop |
| February | Amethyst | Purple | Violet, primrose |
| March | Aquamarine, Bloodstone | Pale blue | Daffodil |
| April | Diamond | Clear | Daisy, sweet pea |
| May | Emerald | Green | Lily of the valley, hawthorn |
| June | Pearl, Alexandrite, Moonstone | Cream, color-change, milky white | Rose, honeysuckle |
| July | Ruby | Red | Larkspur, water lily |
| August | Peridot, Spinel, Sardonyx | Light green, pink, red | Gladiolus, poppy |
| September | Sapphire | Blue | Aster, morning glory |
| October | Opal, Tourmaline | Multicolor, pink | Marigold, cosmos |
| November | Topaz, Citrine | Yellow, orange | Chrysanthemum |
| December | Turquoise, Tanzanite, Zircon | Blue | Narcissus, holly |
Where birthstones come from
The idea of a stone for each month is old, but the list most people use today is modern. Writers have long linked birthstones to the twelve stones on the breastplate of the high priest described in Exodus, though historians debate how direct that link is. In 1912 the National Association of Jewelers in the United States published a standard list, and it has been updated since: alexandrite, citrine, pink tourmaline and zircon were added in 1952, tanzanite in 2002 and spinel in 2016.
That is why some months have more than one birthstone. Other traditions, such as older British lists and Ayurvedic or zodiac-based systems, give different answers, and none of them is wrong. Choose the stone whose color and meaning speak to you.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 12 birthstones?
The modern list is: January garnet, February amethyst, March aquamarine, April diamond, May emerald, June pearl, July ruby, August peridot, September sapphire, October opal, November topaz, December turquoise. Several months also have alternatives, such as alexandrite and moonstone in June or tanzanite in December.
Why do some months have more than one birthstone?
The 1912 jewelers' list has been expanded several times to add affordable or newly popular stones. Older traditional stones were often kept alongside the new ones, so months like June, August, October and December now have two or three options to choose from.
What is the rarest birthstone?
Among the modern birthstones, alexandrite (June) and tanzanite (December) are usually named as the rarest. Fine alexandrite changes color from green in daylight to red under incandescent light, and tanzanite is mined commercially in only one small area of Tanzania.
Is my birthstone based on my zodiac sign?
No. Birthstones follow the calendar month. Zodiac stones are a separate tradition that follows the astrological signs, which run from around the 20th of one month to the 20th of the next. Each month page lists the zodiac stones for the signs that fall in it.
Can I wear a birthstone that isn't mine?
Of course. Birthstones are a tradition, not a rule. Many people wear the stone of a partner, child or parent as a keepsake, or simply choose a stone whose color and meaning they love.
Angel number meanings are for reflection and inspiration. They are not predictions, and they are not medical, legal or financial advice.