Birthstones are one of those timeless traditions that sit right at the intersection of meaning, beauty, and personal identity. They’re simple enough for anyone to enjoy, yet rich enough in symbolism and folklore to stay interesting year after year. Whether someone is buying a meaningful gift, looking to understand their own stone, or exploring how certain gems tie into zodiac and metaphysical traditions, birthstones always bring a personal touch to jewelry.

This guide breaks down each month clearly — the modern birthstone, notable alternatives, color expectations, symbolism, durability notes, and buying tips. Think of this as a calm, practical overview of everything someone needs to feel confident choosing (or gifting) the right stone.

January — Garnet

January’s gemstone is Garnet, best known for its deep red tone, though the gem family actually includes greens, oranges, and even pinks. Red garnet remains the most iconic and is often used in vintage-style jewelry.

Color & Appearance

You’ll mostly see a warm, earthy, wine-red color. Good-quality garnet has strong saturation and even hue.

Symbolism

Traditionally associated with protection, safety, and strength, especially during travel.

Durability

With a Mohs hardness of 6.5–7.5, garnet is relatively durable but can still pick up scratches if worn daily.

Buying Tip

Look for clarity; garnets should be eye-clean. Avoid stones that look overly brown.

Product Examples

• Red Garnet Solitaire Ring — “Merchant Link”
• Vintage-Style Garnet Pendant — “Merchant Link”

February — Amethyst

February’s birthstone is Amethyst, a violet quartz that feels calming, versatile, and elegant without being overwhelming.

Color & Appearance

Ranging from soft lavender to deep royal purple. The best stones have even saturation and minimal zoning.

Symbolism

Linked to clarity, sobriety, and emotional grounding.

Durability

At Mohs 7, amethyst works well for most jewelry but can still scratch if worn next to harder stones.

Buying Tip

If the stone flashes gray or has washed-out sections, it’s lower grade. Even color matters more than deep color.

Product Examples

• Amethyst Cushion-Cut Pendant — “Merchant Link”
• Simple Amethyst Bracelet — “Merchant Link”

March — Aquamarine & Bloodstone

March has two stones: the modern favorite Aquamarine, and the traditional alternative Bloodstone.

Aquamarine

Soft blue, sometimes greenish, known for clarity and serene energy.

Symbolism: Calm, communication, and emotional flow.
Durability: Mohs 7.5–8 — wear-friendly and fairly tough.
Buying tip: Eye-clean clarity is standard, so avoid stones with obvious inclusions.

Bloodstone

Dark green jasper with red specks.

Symbolism: Courage, vitality, grounding.
Durability: Quite tough; ideal for pendants or beads.

Product Examples

• Aquamarine Pendant Necklace — “Merchant Link”
• Bloodstone Tumbled Stone Bracelet — “Merchant Link”

April — Diamond

April’s birthstone is the most famous of all — Diamond. Its brilliance and fire set it apart, and the symbolism has long been tied to commitment and endurance.

Color & Appearance

Clear, white diamonds are traditional, but black, salt-and-pepper, and champagne diamonds have become widely used in modern designs.

Symbolism

Strength, purity, clarity of purpose.

Durability

Mohs 10 — the hardest gemstone available. Excellent for everyday wear.

Buying Tip

Focus on cut quality. A well-cut diamond outshines a larger poorly cut one.

Product Examples

• Classic Diamond Stud Earrings — “Merchant Link”
• Minimalist Diamond Pendant — “Merchant Link”

May — Emerald

May’s birthstone, Emerald, is bold, lush, and instantly recognizable. It’s part of the beryl family but behaves very differently from aquamarine.

Color & Appearance

Ranging from strong green to slightly blue-green. Some inclusions (called “jardin”) are normal and expected.

Symbolism

Growth, love, renewal, creativity.

Durability

Mohs 7.5–8 but often treated with oils; avoid harsh cleaners and ultrasonic machines.

Buying Tip

Accept inclusions, but avoid surface-reaching cracks that weaken the stone.

Product Examples

• Emerald Oval Ring (Gold Setting) — “Merchant Link”
• Natural Emerald Necklace — “Merchant Link”

June — Pearl, Alexandrite & Moonstone

June is one of the rare months with three modern stones.

Pearl

Classic, soft luster, organic.

Symbolism: Wisdom, purity, intuition.
Durability: Soft (Mohs 2.5). Keep away from water, perfume, and heat.

Alexandrite

The chameleon gemstone, shifting from greenish to reddish depending on light.

Symbolism: Balance, luck, adaptability.
Durability: Mohs 8.5 — great for rings but pricey when natural.

Moonstone

Milky shimmer with a calming aesthetic.

Symbolism: Emotion, femininity, reflection.
Durability: Mohs 6–6.5 — best in earrings or pendants.

Product Examples

• Cultured Pearl Strand — “Merchant Link”
• Lab-Created Alexandrite Ring — “Merchant Link”
• Rainbow Moonstone Pendant — “Merchant Link”

July — Ruby

Ruby is July’s birthstone and is essentially red corundum. The top-quality shade, often described as “pigeon blood,” is a vivid, warm red with a touch of blue.

Color & Appearance

Bright, vivid red with strong saturation.

Symbolism

Passion, vitality, motivation.

Durability

Mohs 9 — excellent for engagement rings and long-term wear.

Buying Tip

Check for overly dark stones; a ruby shouldn’t look brown or black under low light.

Product Examples

• Ruby Eternity Band — “Merchant Link”
• Minimalist Ruby Pendant — “Merchant Link”

August — Peridot & Spinel

August has two modern stones backed by a strong following: Peridot and Spinel.

Peridot

Known for its bright, lemon-green tone.

Symbolism: Protection, prosperity, warmth.
Durability: Mohs 6.5–7 — softer than it looks; avoid ultrasonic cleaning.

Spinel

Once mistaken for ruby and sapphire. Comes in vibrant red, pink, blue, and violet.

Symbolism: Rejuvenation, clarity, energy.
Durability: Mohs 8 — durable and often more affordable than comparable gems.

Product Examples

• Peridot Solitaire Necklace — “Merchant Link”
• Blue Spinel Stackable Ring — “Merchant Link”

September — Sapphire

While sapphire can appear in many colors, September is traditionally associated with blue sapphire.

Color & Appearance

Royal blue is the classic choice, but teal, cornflower, and midnight blue are also popular.

Symbolism

Wisdom, loyalty, truth.

Durability

Mohs 9 — outstanding durability.

Buying Tip

Clarity matters, but expect small inclusions. Even color distribution is more important than total perfection.

Product Examples

• Deep Blue Sapphire Pendant — “Merchant Link”
• Sapphire & Diamond Halo Ring — “Merchant Link”

October — Opal & Tourmaline

October offers two strong options: Opal for fire and iridescence, and Tourmaline for color variety.

Opal

Flashes of red, green, and blue create a unique pattern in every stone.

Symbolism: Creativity, expression, emotion.
Durability: Softer and prone to crazing; keep away from heat and dryness.

Tourmaline

Pink, green, and multicolor watermelon are especially popular.

Symbolism: Healing, inspiration, energy.
Durability: Mohs 7–7.5 — stable for everyday jewelry.

Product Examples

• Ethiopian Opal Pendant — “Merchant Link”
• Pink Tourmaline Ring — “Merchant Link”

November — Citrine & Yellow Topaz

November’s stones sit beautifully in the warm color palette: Citrine and Yellow Topaz.

Citrine

A bright, sunny quartz often used in casual or boho jewelry.

Symbolism: Positivity, manifestation, abundance.
Durability: Mohs 7.

Yellow Topaz

Richer golden tones with a slightly more luxurious feel.

Symbolism: Focus, intention, clarity.
Durability: Mohs 8 — better for daily wear.

Product Examples

• Citrine Pendant Necklace — “Merchant Link”
• Golden Topaz Oval Ring — “Merchant Link”

December — Tanzanite, Blue Topaz & Turquoise

December is known for its cool-toned blue gemstones.

Tanzanite

A violet-blue gem found only in Tanzania.

Symbolism: Transformation, intuition.
Durability: Mohs 6–7 — handle carefully.

Blue Topaz

Bright, clear, and widely available.

Symbolism: Calmness, communication.
Durability: Mohs 8 — excellent for everyday.

Turquoise

Matte sky-blue with natural veining.

Symbolism: Protection, grounding.
Durability: Mohs 5–6 — avoid chemical exposure.

Product Examples

• Tanzanite Cushion Pendant — “Merchant Link”
• London Blue Topaz Ring — “Merchant Link”
• Natural Turquoise Bracelet — “Merchant Link”

Choosing the Right Birthstone: A Quick Guide

1. If durability matters most

Go with sapphire, ruby, spinel, topaz, diamond, or alexandrite.

2. If symbolism is your priority

Pearl for wisdom, garnet for protection, amethyst for calm, citrine for positivity.

3. For budget-friendly gifts

Amethyst, citrine, garnet, moonstone, and blue topaz offer great value without sacrificing beauty.

4. For unique or rare gems

Tanzanite, natural alexandrite, high-quality opal, and emerald.

5. For everyday wear

Look for stones with a Mohs hardness of at least 7.5–8.