Birthstone Chart by Month
Modern and traditional birthstones for every month of the year. Select a month to explore gemstone properties, meanings, and care tips.
Garnet
A family of silicate minerals available in many colours, with deep red almandine and pyrope garnets being the classic January birthstone choice. Rhodolite, tsavorite and mandarin garnet are also popular varieties.
Amethyst
The purple variety of quartz, ranging from pale lilac to deep royal purple. Amethyst is durable enough for many jewellery styles and is popular for rings, pendants and earrings.
Aquamarine
The blue to greenish-blue variety of beryl. Aquamarine is admired for its clean transparency, soft ocean colour and good durability.
Bloodstone
A dark green chalcedony with red iron-oxide spots. Bloodstone is usually cut as cabochons and offers a distinctive traditional alternative to aquamarine.
Diamond
The hardest gemstone and the most iconic choice for fine jewellery. Diamond is available in natural and laboratory-grown form, both suitable for everyday wear.
Emerald
The green variety of beryl, prized for vivid green colour. Natural emeralds often contain inclusions known as jardin, while lab-grown emeralds offer vivid colour with cleaner appearance.
Pearl
An organic gemstone formed by molluscs. Cultured pearls are widely used in modern jewellery and require gentle care away from chemicals and abrasion.
Alexandrite
A rare colour-change variety of chrysoberyl, appearing greenish in daylight and reddish-purple under warm light. Lab-grown alexandrite offers a more accessible option.
Moonstone
A feldspar gemstone known for adularescence, a soft glowing light effect. Moonstone is best used in earrings, pendants or protected settings.
Ruby
Red corundum and one of the most important precious gemstones. Ruby is highly durable and excellent for rings, earrings and everyday jewellery.
Peridot
The gem variety of olivine, known for yellowish-green to olive-green colour. Peridot is bright and attractive but benefits from protective settings in rings.
Spinel
A durable gemstone available in red, pink, lavender, blue and black. Spinel was added as an August birthstone and is admired for brilliance and colour.
Sardonyx
A banded chalcedony combining reddish-brown sard with onyx-like layers. Traditionally used for cameos, seals and carved jewellery.
Sapphire
Blue corundum, highly durable and suitable for everyday jewellery. Sapphire also occurs in many fancy colours except red, which is classified as ruby.
Opal
A gemstone valued for play-of-colour, showing shifting flashes of rainbow light. Opal requires careful handling and should be protected from heat and harsh chemicals.
Tourmaline
A colourful gemstone family available in almost every shade. Pink tourmaline is a classic October choice, while Paraíba tourmaline is among the most valuable varieties.
Topaz
A durable gemstone found in several colours. Imperial topaz is the traditional golden-orange variety, while blue topaz is popular in modern jewellery.
Citrine
A yellow to golden-orange variety of quartz. Citrine is affordable, bright and often used in rings, pendants and statement jewellery.
Tanzanite
A violet-blue variety of zoisite found in Tanzania. Tanzanite is beautiful but softer than many gemstones, so it is best for earrings, pendants or careful ring wear.
Blue Zircon
A natural gemstone known for strong brilliance and fire. Blue zircon should not be confused with cubic zirconia.
Turquoise
An opaque blue to green gemstone prized for thousands of years. Turquoise is often stabilised to improve durability.
Complete Birthstone Reference
| Month | Modern (official list) | Traditional | Alternative | Zodiac Stone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Garnet | Rhodolite Garnet, Rose Quartz | Capricorn — Ruby, Turquoise |
| February | Amethyst | Amethyst | Onyx, Bloodstone | Aquarius — Garnet, Amethyst |
| March | Aquamarine, Bloodstone | Bloodstone | Jasper | Pisces — Amethyst, Aquamarine |
| April | Diamond | Diamond | White Sapphire, Moissanite, Rock Crystal | Aries — Diamond, Bloodstone |
| May | Emerald | Emerald | Chrysoprase, Green Tourmaline | Taurus — Sapphire, Emerald |
| June | Pearl, Moonstone, Alexandrite | Pearl, Moonstone | — | Gemini — Agate, Pearl |
| July | Ruby | Ruby | Carnelian, Spinel | Cancer — Pearl, Ruby |
| August | Peridot, Spinel, Sardonyx | Sardonyx | Carnelian | Leo — Onyx, Peridot |
| September | Sapphire | Sapphire | Lapis Lazuli, Iolite, Blue Spinel | Virgo — Carnelian, Sapphire |
| October | Opal, Tourmaline | Opal | Jasper, Pink Sapphire | Libra — Peridot, Opal |
| November | Topaz, Citrine | Topaz | Golden Sapphire, Cat’s Eye | Scorpio — Topaz, Beryl |
| December | Tanzanite, Zircon, Turquoise | Turquoise | Lapis Lazuli, Blue Topaz | Sagittarius — Topaz, Turquoise |
History of Birthstones
The concept of birthstones dates back to ancient gemstone traditions and was later standardised into the modern monthly birthstone list used today.
Choosing Birthstone Jewellery
When choosing birthstone jewellery, consider hardness, durability, colour preference and how often the piece will be worn. Ruby, sapphire, diamond, spinel and aquamarine are strong choices for everyday jewellery, while pearl, opal and tanzanite need more care.
Lab-Grown Birthstone Alternatives
Many birthstones are now available as laboratory-grown gemstones, including ruby, sapphire, emerald and alexandrite. These offer strong colour, consistent clarity and accessible pricing for personalised jewellery.
Also see our Gemstone Size & Weight Chart and Diamond Shapes & Size Chart.