What Are Birthstones? The Complete Beginner’s Guide

A birthstone is a gemstone traditionally assigned to the month you were born in. People wear them as jewelry, give them as birthday and new-baby gifts, and often choose them because of the history, symbolism and color attached to each stone. This guide explains where the tradition came from, how today’s lists were put together, which stones belong to which month, and how to pick one that actually suits the way you will wear it.

Throughout this guide I try to keep three things apart: gemological facts (hardness, composition, treatments), documented history (who published which list and when), and symbolism and folklore (what cultures have traditionally believed about each stone). Meanings and symbolism here are cultural traditions, not scientific claims or medical, financial or professional advice, in line with our birthstones by month coverage and site disclosures.

Birthstones at a Glance

Lists vary slightly by country and organization, so the table below shows the stones most commonly given for each month today. Each month links to its own guide.

Part One: The Ancient Origins

The story usually starts with the Hoshen, the Breastplate of Judgment described in the Book of Exodus. It was a ceremonial garment worn by Aaron, the High Priest, set with twelve stones in four rows of three. Each stone was linked to one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Scholars still debate exactly which minerals the original Hebrew names describe, because ancient stone names do not map neatly onto modern gemological terms. Translations commonly include stones such as carnelian, emerald, sapphire and amethyst, but the identifications differ between sources. The important point is that these were tribal stones, not monthly stones.

Josephus and the Zodiac Link

The first-century historian Flavius Josephus is usually credited with connecting the twelve breastplate stones to the twelve months and zodiac signs. Once stones were tied to a yearly cycle, it was a short step to the idea of a stone for each month. For a deeper look at how the practice developed across the centuries, see our full history of birthstones through the ages and the companion article The History of Birthstones: From Ancient Times to Today.

Wearing a Stone for Your Birth Month

The custom of wearing a stone for your own birth month is generally traced to Germany and Poland in the eighteenth century, and it spread through Europe in the following decades. The details of this transition are patchy, and sources differ on dates, so treat the exact timeline as approximate. For how this tradition compares with the zodiac approach, see Zodiac Birthstones vs. Monthly Birthstones.

Part Two: How the Modern List Was Built

The birthstone chart most people see today is the product of the jewelry trade rather than a single ancient authority. That is why some months have one stone and others have three.

1912: The First Official List

In 1912, the National Association of Jewelers (the organization now known as Jewelers of America) adopted a standard list at a meeting in Kansas City. It was an industry agreement meant to give retailers and customers a shared reference, not a scientific or governmental ruling. According to reference sources, the 1912 list read as follows:

1952, 2002 and 2016: Additions

The list has changed only a few times since. A 1952 update added alexandrite to June, citrine to November and zircon to December. In 2002, tanzanite was added as a December birthstone after being discovered in Tanzania in the late 1960s. Critics have pointed out that the addition was commercially motivated. In 2016, spinel was added to August alongside peridot, a move announced by Jewelers of America and the American Gem Trade Association. Spinel has a long history of being mistaken for ruby; the large red stone known as the “Black Prince’s Ruby” in the British Imperial State Crown is a spinel.

Because different organizations publish slightly different lists (for example, some include bloodstone for March and some omit moonstone for June), it is normal to see small variations between charts. The “right” birthstone is whichever list you decide to follow.

Part Three: The Complete Birthstone Guide, Month by Month

Here is each modern birthstone with the practical details that matter when you are shopping. Hardness is on the Mohs scale, which measures scratch resistance only. Toughness (resistance to chipping and breaking) and cleavage matter just as much for jewelry, so the notes below flag stones that need extra care. Prices are described in general terms because they vary widely by quality, size, treatment and retailer.

January: Garnet

The stone: Garnet is a group of related minerals. The classic January stone is deep red, but garnets also come in orange, pink, purple and green, and blue garnet is extremely rare.

Durability: About 6.5 to 7.5 depending on the variety, with no cleavage. Suitable for everyday wear with reasonable care.

Price: Common red garnets are generally affordable; rarer varieties such as demantoid and tsavorite command much higher prices.

Meaning (tradition): Traditionally associated with friendship, trust and protection while traveling.

Read more in our garnet guide, the January birthstone meaning article and the garnet care guide.

February: Amethyst

The stone: Purple quartz, from pale lilac to deep violet.

Durability: 7 on the Mohs scale. Good for everyday wear, though prolonged strong light or heat can fade some stones.

Price: Generally affordable. Amethyst was once ranked among the most valuable gems until large deposits were found in Brazil and elsewhere, which made it far more plentiful.

Meaning (tradition): The name comes from the Greek amethystos, “not intoxicated”, and the stone was traditionally linked to sobriety and clear thinking.

See the amethyst guide and the February birthstone meaning. If you are Pisces-born, our Pisces birthstone page covers the zodiac connection.

March: Aquamarine

The stone: Pale blue to blue-green beryl. The name means “seawater” in Latin. Bloodstone is the traditional alternative on some lists.

Durability: 7.5 to 8. A good choice for rings, though large stones can still chip on hard knocks.

Treatments: Most aquamarine is gently heat-treated to remove green tones and leave a cleaner blue. The treatment is stable and widely accepted in the trade.

Meaning (tradition): Sailors traditionally carried it as a talisman for safe sea voyages.

Explore the aquamarine guide, the March birthstone page and our aquamarine care guide.

April: Diamond

The stone: Usually colorless, with natural fancy colors such as yellow, pink and blue also existing.

Durability: 10 on the Mohs scale, the hardest known natural material. It does have cleavage planes, so a hard blow at the wrong angle can still chip it.

Price: Wide range driven by the Four Cs (cut, color, clarity, carat weight). Lab-grown diamonds have the same chemistry and crystal structure as mined diamonds and are typically sold at a substantial discount; moissanite and cubic zirconia are different materials that only imitate diamond’s look.

Meaning (tradition): The name derives from the Greek adamas, “unconquerable”, and diamonds are traditionally linked to enduring love.

See the diamond guide, the April birthstone page and natural vs. lab-grown diamonds.

May: Emerald

The stone: Green beryl, colored by chromium and sometimes vanadium.

Durability: 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, but emeralds are typically full of internal fractures and inclusions (often called jardin), which makes them more vulnerable to knocks than the number suggests. Protective settings and gentle wear are wise.

Treatments: Clarity enhancement with oil or resin is very common and should be disclosed. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners.

Meaning (tradition): Associated with rebirth, spring and romantic love.

Continue with the emerald guide and the May birthstone page.

June: Pearl, Alexandrite, Moonstone

Pearl: An organic gem formed inside mollusks. Hardness is about 2.5 to 4.5, so pearls are soft and easily scratched by perfume, cosmetics and rough handling. Nearly all pearls sold today are cultured (grown with human help but still real nacre); natural pearls are rare and costly. Freshwater pearls tend to be the most affordable, while South Sea and Tahitian pearls cost considerably more. More in our pearl guide.

Alexandrite: A color-change variety of chrysoberyl, typically greenish in daylight and reddish in incandescent light. Hardness is 8.5 and it is tough, so it suits rings. Fine natural alexandrite is very rare and expensive. Lab-grown alexandrite (also chrysoberyl) exists, but be aware that some “alexandrite” sold cheaply is actually synthetic color-change corundum or another look-alike, so ask for a lab report or clear disclosure. See the alexandrite guide.

Moonstone: A feldspar known for adularescence, a floating blue or white glow. Hardness is 6 to 6.5 and it has cleavage, so it is best in earrings, pendants or protected ring settings. It appeared on the 1912 list and remains on most current lists, although the American Gem Society omits it. See the moonstone guide and the June birthstone page.

July: Ruby

The stone: Red corundum. Rubies and sapphires are the same mineral; red corundum is ruby and corundum of other colors is sapphire.

Durability: 9 on the Mohs scale and generally tough, so it suits daily wear. Fractures filled with glass are a known treatment and affect value and care.

Treatments: Heat treatment is routine. Glass-filled (lead-glass-filled) rubies are sold at much lower prices and need more careful handling.

See the ruby guide and the July birthstone page.

August: Peridot, Spinel

Peridot: The gem variety of olivine, always some shade of green. Hardness is 6.5 to 7 and it can chip, so it is better for earrings and pendants or careful ring wear. Peridot forms deep in the Earth’s mantle and is brought up by volcanic activity; it has also been found in some meteorites. See the peridot guide.

Spinel: Available in red, pink, blue, purple and more. Hardness is 8, and it has no cleavage, making it a strong ring stone. Fine red spinel is valuable but usually costs less than comparable ruby, which makes it a popular alternative. See the August birthstone page.

September: Sapphire

The stone: Corundum in every color except red. Blue is classic, but pink, yellow, purple, green and colorless sapphires are widely available.

Durability: 9 on the Mohs scale and tough, among the best choices for daily-wear rings.

Treatments: Heat treatment is extremely common and generally accepted. Untreated sapphires, particularly from well-known origins, sell for significant premiums and should come with an independent lab report. Origin names such as Kashmir or Ceylon affect price, so ask for documentation.

See the sapphire guide and the September birthstone page.

October: Opal, Tourmaline

Opal: Known for play-of-color. Hardness is about 5.5 to 6.5, and opal contains water, so it can crack if it dries out or is exposed to sudden temperature changes. Wear it with care and store it away from heat. See the opal guide.

Tourmaline: A mineral group that occurs in nearly every color, sometimes several in one crystal (watermelon tourmaline is pink and green). Hardness is 7 to 7.5. Tourmaline is piezoelectric, meaning it generates an electric charge under pressure. Paraíba-type blue-green tourmaline is the rare, expensive exception in an otherwise moderately priced group. See the tourmaline guide and the October birthstone page.

November: Topaz, Citrine

Topaz: Natural topaz occurs in several colors, including colorless, yellow, orange and pink (imperial topaz is the prized golden-orange to pinkish variety). Hardness is 8, but topaz has perfect cleavage, so a sharp knock can split it. The popular sky and London blue shades are almost always produced by irradiating and heating colorless topaz, a stable and routine treatment. See the topaz guide.

Citrine: Yellow to orange quartz with a hardness of 7. Natural citrine is relatively uncommon; much of the deep orange citrine on the market is heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz. See the citrine guide and the November birthstone page.

December: Turquoise, Zircon, Tanzanite

Turquoise: Opaque sky-blue to green-blue, hardness 5 to 6, and porous. Much turquoise is stabilized with resin or otherwise treated, which should be disclosed. It can absorb oils, lotions and perfumes. See the turquoise guide.

Zircon: A natural gemstone, not to be confused with cubic zirconia, which is a lab-created diamond simulant. Zircon comes in blue, colorless, yellow, red and brown, has high brilliance, and has a hardness of about 6.5 to 7.5. It can be brittle, so protective settings help. Most blue zircon is heat-treated. See the zircon guide.

Tanzanite: A blue-violet variety of zoisite found in northern Tanzania. It is strongly pleochroic, showing different colors from different angles, and almost all tanzanite is heat-treated to bring out blue-violet tones. Hardness is about 6.5 to 7 and it has cleavage, so it suits earrings and pendants better than everyday rings. See the tanzanite guide and the December birthstone page.

Durability Quick Reference: Which Birthstones Suit Which Jewelry?

Hardness only tells you how well a stone resists scratching. A stone can be hard yet still chip or split because of cleavage or internal fractures. Use this table as a starting point for choosing between rings, earrings and pendants.

Natural, Lab-Grown, Treated and Imitation: What the Terms Mean

A lab-grown gem is real in the sense that it is the same mineral; a simulant is not. Treatments are common and often perfectly acceptable, but they should be disclosed because they affect price and care. For a full comparison, read Natural vs. Lab-Grown Birthstones: How to Choose.

Part Four: Why Birthstones Matter to People

Birthstones are not a law of nature. The modern list is an industry agreement from 1912 with later revisions, and no stone has a proven effect on your life. What the tradition does offer is meaning that people choose to give it: a gift that marks a birth month, a piece handed from one generation to the next, or a stone picked because its color or story feels personal.

You do not have to believe in any symbolism to enjoy a birthstone, and you do not have to wear one at all. Many people use the list as a starting point for choosing jewelry, and a stone’s cultural meaning is best treated as a story that adds character rather than as a promise.

Part Five: How to Choose When You Have Several Options

June, August, October, November and December each have two or more options. Here are four ways to decide.

Choose by lifestyle. If you want a ring you will wear daily, favor tougher stones such as sapphire, ruby, spinel, alexandrite, aquamarine or diamond. For softer stones like pearl, opal, moonstone or tanzanite, consider earrings or pendants.

Choose by color. Many birthstones come in more than one color. Garnet can be green or pink, and sapphire can be pink, yellow or colorless.

Choose by budget. If a month’s headline stone is expensive, there is often an affordable alternative on the same list: citrine or blue topaz in November, zircon or turquoise in December, peridot or spinel in August, or a lab-grown version of the stone you want.

Choose what you love. The list is a tradition, not a rule. If another stone appeals to you more, it is perfectly fine to wear it.

Buying Tips for First-Time Birthstone Shoppers

• Ask whether the stone is natural, lab-grown or a simulant, and whether it has been treated.
• For higher-value stones, ask for an independent gemological lab report, and do not assume an origin claim without documentation.
• Check the return policy and whether the metal is solid gold, gold-plated or sterling silver.
• Match the stone to the piece: softer stones in earrings and pendants, tougher stones in rings.
• For children’s jewelry, choose age-appropriate designs, since small stones and parts can be a choking hazard for young children.
• Clean gently with a soft brush and mild soapy water unless you know the specific stone tolerates more. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are unsafe for many stones, including emerald, opal, pearl and turquoise.

If you are shopping for someone else, Birthstone Jewelry Gift Ideas by Relationship pairs stones with gift occasions. To understand how cut affects a stone’s look, see Gemstone Shapes and Cuts Explained and The Science Behind Gemstone Colors. The full set of beginner resources is gathered in Education & Buying Guides for Birthstones.

Find Your Birth Month Stone

Start with the birthstones by month overview, or jump straight to your month:

• January: Garnet
• February: Amethyst
• March: Aquamarine
• April: Diamond
• May: Emerald
• June: Pearl, Alexandrite, Moonstone
• July: Ruby
• August: Peridot, Spinel
• September: Sapphire
• October: Opal, Tourmaline
• November: Topaz, Citrine
• December: Turquoise, Zircon, Tanzanite