Birthstone Chart by Month: Every Stone, Meaning & History
Every month of the year has its birthstones — gems assigned by tradition, history, and a 1912 jewelers' list that standardized centuries of folklore into the chart we use today. Whether you are shopping for a birthday gift, curious about your own stone, or building a crystal collection, this complete birthstone chart gives you every month's stones, their meanings, and the stories behind them.
A quick note on the list's history: birthstone traditions stretch back to ancient times — some trace them to the twelve stones of the High Priest's breastplate in Exodus, others to the first-century historian Josephus, who linked the twelve stones to the twelve months and the twelve signs of the zodiac. The custom of wearing a single stone for your birth month, however, is younger — it emerged in 18th-century Poland and spread through Europe before crossing to America. The modern chart was formalized in 1912 by the American National Retail Jewelers Association (now Jewelers of America), with updates since: tanzanite was added for December in 2002, spinel joined August as an alternative in 2016, and citrine and others have shifted over the decades. Many months now carry multiple stones: traditional, modern, and alternative. More choice is a gift, not a confusion — pick the stone that speaks to you.
The Stories Behind the Stones
Every birthstone carries a tale worth knowing. Diamond (April) is the hardest natural material on earth — the ancient Greeks called it adamas, "unconquerable" — and for centuries it was believed to lend its wearer invincible strength. Opal (October) has the most dramatic reputation: a 19th-century novel blamed an opal amulet for its heroine's misfortunes, saddling the stone with an undeserved "unlucky" myth that jewelers have been debunking ever since; in truth, opal was considered the luckiest stone of all by the Romans.
Turquoise (December) is among the oldest gemstones known to humanity — mined in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula six thousand years ago and treasured by Persian, Tibetan, and Native American cultures as a sky-stone of protection. Alexandrite (June) is nature's magic trick: green in daylight, red under lamplight, discovered in Russia's Ural Mountains and named for Tsar Alexander II. Pearl (June) is the only birthstone grown by a living creature, formed layer by layer inside a mollusk — which is why it symbolizes purity emerging from patience.
And then there is spinel (August), history's great case of mistaken identity: for centuries, the magnificent red spinels in royal crowns — including the famous Black Prince's Ruby — were assumed to be rubies. Modern gemology gave spinel its due, and its 2016 addition to the birthstone chart finally honored one of the most beautiful stones in the royal treasuries of the world.
The Complete Birthstone Chart
- January — Garnet: Deep red; protection, vitality, commitment. The traveler's talisman and the January resolution stone.
- February — Amethyst: Royal purple; peace, clarity, spiritual calm. Once as precious as sapphire; the stone of serene minds.
- March — Aquamarine & Bloodstone: Sea-blue serenity (aquamarine: courage, calm communication) and the ancient speckled bloodstone (strength, vitality).
- April — Diamond: Unbreakable brilliance; eternal love, strength, clarity. The hardest natural material on earth.
- May — Emerald: Lush green; love, rebirth, wisdom. Cleopatra's legendary favorite; the stone of flourishing.
- June — Pearl, Moonstone & Alexandrite: Three treasures — pearl (purity, grace), moonstone (intuition, new beginnings), alexandrite (the color-changing marvel of balance and joy).
- July — Ruby: Fiery red; passion, courage, vitality. The "king of gems," prized above all stones in ancient Asia.
- August — Peridot, Spinel & Sardonyx: Peridot's fresh green (joy, good fortune), spinel's vivid colors (revitalization — long mistaken for ruby in crown jewels), sardonyx's banded strength (courage, happiness).
- September — Sapphire: Celestial blue; wisdom, loyalty, truth. The stone of royalty and enduring devotion.
- October — Opal & Tourmaline: Opal's play-of-color magic (creativity, hope) and tourmaline's rainbow range (often pink — love, compassion). Two of the most visually enchanting stones.
- November — Topaz & Citrine: Golden warmth; topaz (love, abundance) and citrine (joy, manifestation, the "merchant's stone"). Autumn's glow in gem form.
- December — Turquoise, Tanzanite & Zircon: Turquoise (protection, ancient sky-stone), tanzanite (the single-source violet-blue marvel), zircon (brilliance, grounding — not to be confused with cubic zirconia).
How to Use This Chart
For gifting: Find the recipient's month, then choose among its stones by budget and style — June's three options, for instance, span from affordable moonstone to luxurious alexandrite. For yourself: wear your birthstone as a personal emblem, or explore its metaphysical associations as a mindfulness anchor — many people choose a stone for the qualities they want to cultivate, which is a lovely inversion of the tradition. For collecting: the chart is a natural checklist; acquiring all twelve (or more) is a rewarding long-term pursuit, and alternative stones keep it interesting.
Birthstones Beyond Birthdays
The tradition has gracefully expanded. Anniversary stones map gems to wedding milestones (garnet for year 2, ruby for 15 and 40, diamond for 60). Mother's jewelry combines children's birthstones into one piece. Zodiac stones assign gems by astrological sign rather than month — your sun sign's stone may differ from your birth month's, giving you two stones to love. And many people simply wear the stone whose meaning resonates — choosing amethyst for calm or citrine for confidence regardless of birth month. The tradition police will not arrest you; the stones do not mind.
A Note on Meaning and Belief
Birthstone meanings — garnet's protection, sapphire's wisdom, opal's hope — come from folklore, not geology. They are stories humans have told about beautiful objects for thousands of years, and their power is the power of all good stories: they focus attention, mark occasions, and connect us to the long human habit of finding meaning in nature's art. Wear your birthstone for its beauty, its history, its symbolism, or simply because it is yours — every reason is a good one.
Bookmark this chart, share it with the gift-givers in your life (subtly, of course), and the next time a birthday approaches, you will know exactly which stone — and which story — to reach for. After all, the best gifts are the ones that were chosen, not just bought.
Frequently asked questions
What is my birthstone?
Find your birth month in the chart: January garnet, February amethyst, March aquamarine/bloodstone, April diamond, May emerald, June pearl/moonstone/alexandrite, July ruby, August peridot/spinel/sardonyx, September sapphire, October opal/tourmaline, November topaz/citrine, December turquoise/tanzanite/zircon.
Why do some months have multiple birthstones?
The modern chart was standardized in 1912 and updated since — tanzanite joined December in 2002, spinel joined August in 2016. Multiple stones reflect traditional, modern, and alternative lists merging over time. More choice is a feature: pick the stone that fits your budget and style.
Where did birthstones come from?
Birthstone traditions are ancient — some trace them to the twelve stones of the High Priest's breastplate described in Exodus. The modern month-by-month chart was formalized in 1912 by the American National Retail Jewelers Association (now Jewelers of America) and updated periodically since.
Can I wear a birthstone that is not my birth month's?
Of course — many people wear stones for their meaning (amethyst for calm, citrine for confidence) rather than their birth month, and zodiac stones assign gems by astrological sign instead. The tradition is folklore, not law; wear what resonates with you.
What are anniversary gemstones?
Wedding anniversaries have their own stone list: garnet for year 2, amethyst for 6, sapphire for 5 and 45, ruby for 15 and 40, emerald for 20 and 35, diamond for 60, and more. They make milestone anniversary gifting beautifully simple.
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