Birthstones by month
Every month has a gemstone traditionally given to people born in it. Find your month for its stone, colour and the meaning long associated with it.
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| Month | Birthstone | Colour | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Deep red | Protection and friendship |
| February | Amethyst | Purple | Calm and clarity |
| March | Aquamarine, Bloodstone | Pale blue | Courage and serenity |
| April | Diamond | Clear | Strength and lasting love |
| May | Emerald | Green | Rebirth and love |
| June | Pearl, Moonstone, Alexandrite | White, cream | Purity and balance |
| July | Ruby | Red | Passion and protection |
| August | Peridot, Spinel, Sardonyx | Lime green | Strength and good fortune |
| September | Sapphire | Deep blue | Wisdom and loyalty |
| October | Opal, Tourmaline | Iridescent | Hope and creativity |
| November | Topaz, Citrine | Golden yellow | Warmth and good fortune |
| December | Turquoise, Tanzanite, Zircon | Sky blue | Luck and protection |
How birthstones work
The custom of a stone for each month goes back centuries and was standardised into today's list by the jewellery trade. Wearing your birthstone is thought to bring the qualities in the table above; where a month lists several stones, any of them counts as your birthstone.
Frequently asked questions
What is my birthstone?
It is the gem traditionally linked to your birth month, shown in the table above. Some months have more than one accepted stone, so you can pick whichever you prefer.
Why do some months have more than one birthstone?
The modern list keeps older traditional stones alongside newer, more affordable or more available additions, so months like June, August, October, November and December offer a choice.
What is the rarest birthstone?
Among the monthly stones, high-quality alexandrite (June) and fine natural pearls are among the rarest and most valuable; diamond (April) and emerald (May) are also premium.
Are birth flowers linked to months too?
Yes. Each month also has one or two birth flowers, such as the carnation for January and the rose for June, often paired with the birthstone as a birthday gift.