Quick answer — the birthstones by month are: January is garnet, February is amethyst, March is aquamarine, April is diamond, May is emerald, June is pearl (also moonstone and alexandrite), July is ruby, August is peridot, September is sapphire, October is opal (also tourmaline), November is topaz (also citrine), and December is turquoise (also tanzanite, zircon, and blue topaz).
A birthstone is a gemstone tied to the month you were born, each carrying its own color, history, and symbolic meaning. The chart below is the modern U.S. list, with traditional alternates noted — keep it as a quick reference for gifts, jewelry, or simply knowing your own stone.
Disclosure: Contributed post.
The Full Birthstone Chart
A Short History of the Birthstone Chart
The idea of twelve sacred stones is ancient. It is widely traced to the Breastplate of Aaron described in the Bible — a ceremonial garment set with twelve gemstones linked to the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Greek and Roman cultures later connected gemstones to the months and to astrology, believing that wearing the right stone enhanced health and fortune.
The chart most people recognize today is far more recent. In 1912, the American National Retail Jewelers Association (now Jewelers of America) standardized the modern list to bring consistency to the trade, favoring transparent, faceted gems that were easier to set into jewelry like mother’s rings. The list has only been amended a handful of times since:
- 1952 — addition of alexandrite, citrine, tourmaline, and zircon.
- 2002 — tanzanite became an alternate December birthstone.
- 2016 — spinel joined peridot and sardonyx for August, in a joint announcement by Jewelers of America and the American Gem Trade Association.
Not One Chart, But Several
Part of why birthstones feel confusing is that more than one chart exists. The four you’ll encounter most often:
- Modern chart — the standardized 1912 U.S. list above; the default for most jewelers today.
- Traditional chart — older Western associations (for example, bloodstone for March or turquoise for December) that predate 1912.
- Mystical chart — rooted in Tibetan tradition, focused on each stone’s spiritual and healing attributes.
- Ayurvedic chart — an ancient Indian system linking gemstones to wellbeing and planetary energy.
A separate zodiac birthstone chart assigns stones by astrological sign rather than calendar month. As a result, a single birthday can map to two or three “correct” stones depending on the system you follow.
Months With More Than One Birthstone
Several months carry multiple official stones, giving you choices in color and budget:
- March — aquamarine or bloodstone
- June — pearl, moonstone, or alexandrite (a rare color-changing gem)
- August — peridot, spinel, or sardonyx
- October — opal or tourmaline
- November — topaz or citrine
- December — turquoise, tanzanite, blue zircon, or blue topaz
Which Birthstones Are Rarest?
Among the twelve, alexandrite (June) is generally considered the rarest, prized for changing color from green in daylight to red under lamplight. Fine emerald, ruby, and top-grade sapphire also command premium prices, while diamond earns its status partly from being the hardest natural material on Earth — a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale. At the more affordable end sit garnet, amethyst, citrine, and blue topaz.
Choosing Your Birthstone Jewelry
Because most months offer more than one stone, the “right” birthstone is really the one that fits your color preference, budget, and the meaning that strikes a chord with you. Rings, pendants, and stud earrings are the most popular ways to wear one, and stacking a family’s birthstones into a single piece is a lasting personalized gift.
For a deeper, month-by-month breakdown — including the meaning, history, and jewelry ideas behind each gem — see Billig Jewelers’ complete birthstone guide, which links out to a dedicated page for every birth month.
Featured photo: Billig Jewelry
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