# Birthstones by Month: Find Your Soulmate Gemstone

> When sparkle meets symbolism.

- Canonical: https://luxe.digital/watches-jewelry/birthstones/
- Author: Emma Treagus (https://luxe.digital/author/emma-treagus/)
- Published: 2023-03-01 · Updated: 2026-06-23
- Publisher: Luxe Digital (https://luxe.digital/)

A birthstone is the rare piece of jewelry that comes with a reason attached. Not a stone chosen because it photographed well — just the one tied to the month you were born, and to whatever you decide it means.

That's also where most birthstone guides go wrong. They treat the subject like a fortune cookie: read the meaning, buy the trinket, move on. We'd rather you walk away with one good piece you'll still wear in years.

So this is two guides in one. The first is the meaning — the stone for every month, where the symbolism comes from, and what it actually says. The second is the part nobody tells you: how to choose a birthstone piece that's built to last, sourced responsibly, and worth the money. Because a stone with a story deserves a setting that does it justice.

Your birthday assigns you a stone. What you do with it is the interesting part.

But, like most things these days, nothing’s set in stone when it comes to choosing the stone that speaks to you.

Some play by the rules. While others opt for a more flexible approach. 

At the end of the day, the choice is yours. And this article will leave no stone unturned in giving you the information to make it so. 

OK, that’s enough with the puns. Let’s get the stone rolling.

## What are the birthstones by month?

The birthstones by month are garnet for January, amethyst for February, aquamarine for March, diamond for April, emerald for May, alexandrite for June, ruby for July, peridot for August, sapphire for September, tourmaline for October, topaz for November, and tanzanite for December.

As you’ll see below, the exact list of birthstones by month changed a little bit over time. As a result, some months nowadays have two or three different stones assigned to them.

Monthly birthstones are a way to connect your birth month with a significant stone. Each stone has a distinctive symbolic significance and is said to offer unique protection.

While today many people don’t necessarily attribute special powers to the stones—we love that they embody positivity and prosperity. And for countless reasons, they’re a meaningful gift for significant milestones (it’s time to start hinting).

### Birthstones table: The traditional birthstone for each month of the year

Here’s a helpful table illustrating **all the birthstones by month** to help you find yours more easily.

You'll find below the list of birthstones by month, a short story explaining [where birthstones come from](#Where-birthstones-come-from) if you want to learn more.

## Birthstones by month

These enchanting gems could melt a heart of stone with their significant charms…

### January Birthstone: Garnet

![birthstones by month garnet - Luxe Digital](https://media.luxe.digital/birthstones-by-month-garnet-luxe-digital-1280.jpg)

Originating from the Latin word for pomegranate seeds, garnet is a deep, unapologetic red, and it has been worn as a talisman for far longer than most stones we prize today — Egyptian pharaohs and Roman clergymen wore this gem thousands of years ago. The meaning has stayed remarkably consistent: protection on a journey, and a steady kind of devotion rather than a showy one.

It's also a genuinely practical everyday stone. At 6.5–7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, garnet holds up to daily wear in a ring or pendant without the babying that softer stones demand. If you want one piece you can put on and forget about, this is a forgiving place to start.

| Meaning: | Passion |
| --- | --- |
| Colors: | Red |
| Mineral Class: | Silicate |

### February Birthstone: Amethyst

![birthstones by month amethyst - Luxe Digital](https://media.luxe.digital/birthstones-by-month-amethyst-luxe-digital-1280.jpg)

Amethyst is purple quartz, and for most of history that color was the color of royalty — which is partly why the stone carried so much weight. The Greeks tied it to clear-headedness and composure (the name traces to a word for "not intoxicated"). Today it reads as a stone of calm and focus.

Quartz is hard-wearing at a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, so amethyst suits rings and everyday pieces well. One honest note: strong, even purple is what you're paying for. Pale, washed-out amethyst is common and far less compelling — hold out for depth of color.

| Meaning: | Intuition |
| --- | --- |
| Colors: | Purple |
| Mineral Class: | Quartz |

### March Birthstone: Aquamarine or Bloodstone

![birthstones by month bloodstone - Luxe Digital](https://media.luxe.digital/birthstones-by-month-bloodstone-luxe-digital-1280.jpg)

Named after the Latin term for seawater, aquamarine is the pale sea-blue cousin of emerald, both from the beryl family. Sailors once carried it for safe passage, and the symbolism still leans maritime: calm, clarity, an even keel. It's the quiet one on this list — easy to wear, hard to tire of.

Tough enough for daily wear at 7.5–8, it's also one of the more affordable transparent gems for its beauty, which makes it a smart pick if you want real size without a steep price.

| Meaning: | Communication |
| --- | --- |
| Colors: | Shades of greenish-blue |
| Mineral Class: | Beryl |

Although different in appearance (bold, dark green with blood-red splatters), bloodstone shares the reputation of protecting prosperity. It confers confidence and courage onto its wearer.

| Meaning: | Confidence |
| --- | --- |
| Colors: | Dark green with red spots |
| Mineral Class: | Chalcedony |

### April Birthstone: Diamond

![birthstones by month diamond - Luxe Digital](https://media.luxe.digital/birthstones-by-month-diamond-luxe-digital-1280.jpg)

April gets [diamonds](/watches-jewelry/diamonds/), which is either a gift or a trap depending on how you shop. As a stone it's unmatched — the hardest natural material there is, and the one cut to throw the most light. As a symbol it means clarity, strength, the things meant to last (unsurprisingly, it comes from the Greek term *adamas*, meaning unbreakable).

Here's where conscious buying matters most. A lab-grown diamond is chemically and optically the same stone as a mined one, costs meaningfully less, and sidesteps the sourcing questions that have shadowed the industry for decades. For a birthstone piece, it's the choice we'd point most readers toward.

For more inspiration, check our ranking of the [most expensive diamonds in the world](/watches-jewelry/most-expensive-diamonds/) and the [most expensive engagement rings](/watches-jewelry/most-expensive-engagement-rings/) ever bought. And when you're ready, check our selection of the [best jewelry brands](/watches-jewelry/best-jewelry-brands/).

| Meaning: | Longevity |
| --- | --- |
| Colors: | White, blue, pink, and more |
| Mineral Class: | Diamond |

### May Birthstone: Emerald

![birthstones by month emerald - Luxe Digital](https://media.luxe.digital/birthstones-by-month-emerald-luxe-digital-1280.jpg)

Emerald is the green at the deep end of the beryl family, and few stones have been coveted this consistently — from Cleopatra's mines to the Mughal courts. It has always meant renewal, growth, and a certain regal calm.

Named after the Greek term for green (no surprises there), our color-enthusiasts are likely to have a field day with the enchanting hue.

One thing to know before you buy: emeralds are naturally included (those internal marks are called the *jardin*, French for garden) and more brittle than their hardness suggests. They reward a protective setting and gentle handling. A lab-grown emerald gives you cleaner color for less, and is worth a look.

Check our round-up of the [best necklaces](/watches-jewelry/best-necklaces-women/), [earrings](/watches-jewelry/best-earrings-women/), and [bracelets](/watches-jewelry/best-bracelets-women/) if you want to wear your new stone in style.

| Meaning: | Kindness |
| --- | --- |
| Colors: | Yellow-Green, Medium Green, Bluish-Green |
| Mineral Class: | Beryl |

### June Birthstone: Pearl, Moonstone or Alexandrite

![birthstones by month pearl moonstone alexandrite - Luxe Digital](https://media.luxe.digital/birthstones-by-month-pearl-moonstone-alexandrite-luxe-digital-1280.jpg)

June is spoiled for choice, and the three options could not be more different though they all exude a certain feminine finesse. **Pearl** is the timeless classic — organic, luminous, the stone of quiet refinement. **Moonstone** has an inner blue glow (called adularescence) that looks lit from within. **Alexandrite** is the showpiece: it shifts from bluish-green in daylight to purplish-red in dim, incandescent lighting, and genuine natural stones are rare and expensive.

A wear note worth its weight: pearls are soft (2.5–4.5) and dislike perfume, heat, and friction. Put them on last, take them off first, and they'll outlive you. Lab-grown alexandrite is the realistic way to enjoy that color-change without the rarity premium.

| Pearl Meaning: | Purity |
| --- | --- |
| Colors: | White and ivory |
| Mineral Class: | Calcium Carbonate |

| Moonstone Meaning: | Femininity |
| --- | --- |
| Colors: | White, colorless |
| Mineral Class: | Feldspar |

| Alexandrite Meaning: | Balance |
| --- | --- |
| Colors: | Blue-green in daylight; purplish-red at night |
| Mineral Class: | Chrysoberyl |

### July Birthstone: Ruby

![birthstones by month ruby - Luxe Digital](https://media.luxe.digital/birthstones-by-month-ruby-luxe-digital-1280.jpg)

Ruby is the red variety of corundum — the same mineral as sapphire — and it has always been the stone of passion and vitality. "The king of gems," as old trade lore had it. There's nothing subtle about a good ruby, and it doesn't pretend otherwise.

It's also superb for everyday wear: at 9 on the Mohs scale it's second only to diamond in hardness. Top-color "pigeon's blood" rubies command staggering prices, which is exactly why lab-grown rubies have become such a sensible choice — the same stone, the same fire, a fraction of the cost.

| Meaning: | Vitality |
| --- | --- |
| Colors: | Red |
| Mineral Class: | Corundum |

### August Birthstone: Peridot

![birthstones by month peridot - Luxe Digital](https://media.luxe.digital/birthstones-by-month-peridot-luxe-digital-1280.jpg)

Peridot is an unusual, slightly yellow-green that doesn't look like anything else, and it has a great origin story: some of it arrives on Earth inside meteorites. The Egyptians called it the "gem of the sun" and tied it to warmth, good fortune, and lightness of spirit.

Not only is it alluring in appearance, but this gem also comes rich with mythological meaning. While the name *peridot* is derived from the Greek term for giving plenty—Hawaiian folklore believes that they are the tears of the volcano goddess, Pele.

At 6.5–7 it's reasonably durable but worth protecting from hard knocks. It's also affordable for its size and color, which makes it an easy, cheerful stone to actually wear rather than save for occasions.

| Meaning: | Light and protection |
| --- | --- |
| Colors: | Green |
| Mineral Class: | Olivine |

### September Birthstone: Sapphire

![birthstones by month sapphire - Luxe Digital](https://media.luxe.digital/birthstones-by-month-sapphire-luxe-digital-1280.jpg)

The sapphire has become a symbol of self-expression and sincerity. And we wouldn’t mind voicing our individuality with this royal blue gem.

Its symbolism is wisdom, loyalty, and truth, which is part of why it's quietly overtaken the diamond for many engagement rings. It has been worn by nobility over centuries. And the iconic sapphire ring adorned by Princess Diana and Kate Middleton is probably the most famous example of its noble reputation to this day. The standout stone was also flaunted by clergymen in the Middle Ages to symbolize Heaven. And we can see why.

For a stone you'll wear for decades, it's hard to beat: at 9 it shrugs off daily life.

| Meaning: | Sincerity |
| --- | --- |
| Colors: | Blue, green, white, yellow, purple, pink |
| Mineral Class: | Corundum |
| Learn more: | [Sapphire meaning, properties, & price](/watches-jewelry/) |

### October Birthstone: Opal or Tourmaline

![birthstones by month opal and tourmaline - Luxe Digital](https://media.luxe.digital/birthstones-by-month-opal-and-tourmaline-luxe-digital-1280.jpg)

Opal is best described as birthed from rainbows and fireworks. It is the maximalist's birthstone — it doesn't have one color, it flashes all of them at once (a quality called play-of-color), and no two stones are alike.

| Meaning: | Truth |
| --- | --- |
| Colors: | Black, white, orange, yellow, red, green, and more |
| Mineral Class: | Silica |

Tourmaline is the versatile alternative, available in an enormous range of shades, including the pink-and-green "watermelon" stones.

| Meaning: | Creativity |
| --- | --- |
| Colors: | Found in every color |
| Mineral Class: | Boron Silicate |

The honest caveat: opal is soft (5.5–6.5) and can craft-crack if it dries out or takes a knock. It's a stone to choose with eyes open — better as earrings or a pendant than a daily ring. If you want October color with more resilience, tourmaline is the practical pick.

### November Birthstone: Topaz or Citrine

![birthstones by month topaz - Luxe Digital](https://media.luxe.digital/birthstones-by-month-topaz-luxe-digital-1280.jpg)

November runs warm. Named after the French word for lemon, citrine is golden quartz, the color of honey and late autumn light, long associated with optimism and energy. Topaz spans from the prized imperial orange-pink to the bright blues you'll see most often. Both are birthstones of warmth, confidence, and clarity.

Both wear well — citrine at 7, topaz at a hard 8 — so neither asks for special treatment. They're also among the more affordable transparent gems, which makes November a good month for a bold, generously sized piece.

| Topaz Meaning: | Intelligence |
| --- | --- |
| Colors: | Yellow |
| Mineral Class: | Nesosilicate |

| Citrine Meaning: | Abundance |
| --- | --- |
| Colors: | Yellow |
| Mineral Class: | Quartz |

### December Birthstone: Tanzanite, Zircon, or Turquoise

![birthstones by month turquoise - Luxe Digital](https://media.luxe.digital/birthstones-by-month-turquoise-luxe-digital-1280.jpg)

December's stones share a cool blue palette but little else. Turquoise is ancient and earthy, prized across cultures for protection. Tanzanite is the modern rarity — found in just one place on Earth, near Mount Kilimanjaro — with a violet-blue you won't forget. After it was discovered by Masaai herders in Tanzania, Tiffany & Co realized the sensational stone’s international appeal and launched a major campaign to promote it. Zircon (the natural stone, not the synthetic look-alike) has a brilliance that surprises people.

A buying steer: tanzanite (6–7) and turquoise (5–6) are both on the softer side and happier in earrings or pendants than in a ring you wear daily. Blue topaz is the workhorse if you want December's color without the care.

| Tanzanite Meaning: | Spiritual awakening |
| --- | --- |
| Colors: | Purplish blue |
| Mineral Class: | Zoisite |

| Zircon Meaning: | Wisdom |
| --- | --- |
| Colors: | Brown to blue |
| Mineral Class: | Silicate |

| Turquoise Meaning: | Good fortune |
| --- | --- |
| Colors: | Greenish blue |
| Mineral Class: | Phosphate |

## Birthstones by month summary

Here’s the list of each birthstone by month to give you a quick summary:

- [January Birthstone: Garnet](#January-Birthstone-Garnet)
- [February Birthstone: Amethyst](#February-Birthstone-Amethyst)
- [March Birthstone: Aquamarine or Bloodstone](#March-Birthstone-Aquamarine-or-Bloodstone)
- [April Birthstone: Diamond](#April-Birthstone-Diamond)
- [May Birthstone: Emerald](#May-Birthstone-Emerald)
- [June Birthstone: Pearl, Moonstone or Alexandrite](#June-Birthstone-Pearl-Moonstone-or-Alexandrite)
- [July Birthstone: Ruby](#July-Birthstone-Ruby)
- [August Birthstone: Peridot](#August-Birthstone-Peridot)
- [September Birthstone: Sapphire](#September-Birthstone-Sapphire)
- [October Birthstone: Opal or Tourmaline](#October-Birthstone-Opal-or-Tourmaline)
- [November Birthstone: Topaz or Citrine](#November-Birthstone-Topaz-or-Citrine)
- [December Birthstone: Tanzanite, Zircon or Turquoise](#December-Birthstone-Tanzanite-Zircon-or-Turquoise)

And here's a visual birthstone chart:

![birthstones by month chart guide - Luxe Digital](https://media.luxe.digital/birthstones-by-month-chart-guide-luxe-digital-1280.jpg)

## How to choose a birthstone piece worth keeping

The stone is only half the decision. A meaningful gem in a piece that tarnishes, bends, or dates within a season isn't a keepsake — it's a disappointment waiting to happen. Here's how to buy one that lasts.

**Mind the metal.** This is where longevity is won or lost. Solid gold (10k, 14k, 18k) is the standard for a piece you'll keep, and it won't wear away. [Gold vermeil](/watches-jewelry/gold-vermeil-guide/) — a thick layer of gold over sterling silver — is the smart middle ground: real gold at the surface, a far gentler price than solid. Plain "gold-plated" is the one to avoid for anything you'll wear often; the plating is thin and rubs off.

**Lab-grown is the conscious default.** For diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds, a lab-grown stone is the same stone — same chemistry, same brilliance — without the sourcing questions or the markup. It lets you choose better color and a better setting for the same budget. For something you'll wear for years, that's the more thoughtful trade, not the lesser one.

**Match the stone to your lifestyle.** Hardness decides what survives daily wear. Sapphire, ruby, and diamond shrug off everything. Pearl, opal, turquoise, and tanzanite are softer and far happier as earrings or pendants than as the ring you never take off. Choose the format that fits how you actually live, and the piece stays beautiful.

**Buy fewer, better.** One well-made birthstone piece in solid gold or vermeil will outlast a drawer of costume versions, and it's the one that eventually gets passed down. That's the whole point of a stone with meaning — it's made to stay.

## Birthstones by Zodiac Sign

Your **zodiac sign** is another way to determine your birthstone.

Although the astrological birthstone chart features some of the same stones, they don’t always correspond with your monthly birthstones. And their meanings differ slightly. So if you believe that your fate lies in the stars—these significant symbolisms are bound to mean something special.

### Aries (March 21 to April 20): Bloodstone

The [bloodstone](/watches-jewelry/) is believed to bring action and vitality to match Aries’ confident characteristics.

### Taurus (April 21 to May 21): Sapphire

The [sapphire](/watches-jewelry/) embodies self-expression and truth that speaks to Taurus’ love for luxury.

### Gemini (May 22 to June 21): Agate

The agate birthstone brings balance and stability to supplement Gemini’s spontaneity. Learn more about [fire agate](/watches-jewelry/) and [moss agate](/watches-jewelry/) gemstones.

### Cancer (June 22 to July 22): Emerald

The [emerald](/watches-jewelry/) exudes love and kindness to meet Cancer’s empathetic mannerisms.

### Leo (July 23 to August 22): Onyx

The [onyx](/watches-jewelry/) birthstone manifests strength and calm to balance Leo’s infamously dramatic personality.

### Virgo (August 23 to September 23): Carnelian

The [carnelian](/watches-jewelry/) symbolizes confidence and passion to accompany Virgo’s systematic approach to life.

### Libra (September 24 to October 23): Peridot

The [peridot](/watches-jewelry/) is believed to bring radiance and purpose to enrich Libra’s sense of justice.

### Scorpio (October 24 to November 22): Topaz

The [topaz](/watches-jewelry/) represents strength and intelligence to entice Scorpio’s elusive energy.

### Sagittarius (November 23 to December 21): Turquoise

The [turquoise](/watches-jewelry/) birthstone is known to bring well-being and good fortune to accompany Sagittarius’ quest for knowledge.

### Capricorn (December 22 to January 20): Ruby

The [ruby](/watches-jewelry/) radiates protection and vitality to complement Capricorn’s tenacious perseverance.

### Aquarius (January 21 to February 19): Garnet

The [garnet](/watches-jewelry/) gem symbolizes vitality and passion for matching Aquarius’ progressive attitude.

### Pisces (February 20 to March 20): Amethyst

The [amethyst](/watches-jewelry/) birthstone represents calm and rejuvenation to complement Pisces’ sensitive nature.

## Birthstones by Days of the Week

According to astrology, each day has a planetary ruler. And each of those planets is **connected to a birthstone**.

This is the perfect list for those looking for a different stone for every day of the week (aren’t we all?).

### Monday: Moon

The [moonstone](/watches-jewelry/) represents intuition and purpose.

### Tuesday: Mars

The [ruby](/watches-jewelry/) brings about passion and energy.

### Wednesday: Mercury

The [emerald](/watches-jewelry/) embodies calm and balance.

### Thursday: Jupiter

The yellow [sapphire](/watches-jewelry/) manifests happiness and prosperity.

### Friday: Venus

The [diamond](/watches-jewelry/diamonds/) exudes love and beauty.

### Saturday: Saturn

The blue [sapphire](/watches-jewelry/) is known for sincerity and faithfulness.

### Sunday: Sun

The [citrine](/watches-jewelry/) symbolizes radiance and abundance.

## Where to buy birthstone jewelry we'd actually wear

If you want a single place to start, we keep coming back to [Mejuri](https://luxe.digital/loves/mejuri/). It hits the marks that matter to us: responsibly sourced and lab-grown stones, recycled metals, real solid-gold and gold-vermeil options, and a clean, timeless design language that won't look dated next year. It's fine jewelry priced for people who research before they buy — which is to say, our kind of reader.

<p className="inline-cta"><a className="btn" href="https://luxe.digital/loves/mejuri/" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener">SHOP BIRTHSTONE JEWELRY AT MEJURI</a></p>

## Where birthstones come from

The idea of connecting a stone to a month is a relatively contemporary idea. However, the origin of the meaning assigned to different stones dates back to Biblical times.

The thread most historians follow runs back to the breastplate of Aaron described in the Book of Exodus — twelve stones for the twelve tribes of Israel. Over centuries that set of twelve drifted into the twelve signs of the zodiac, then into the twelve months, and finally — in 1912 — into the standardized list the jewelry trade still uses today, with a few additions since.

Which is worth knowing for one reason: the "official" birthstone is a fairly modern, partly commercial invention. If a different stone speaks to you, wear that one. The meaning you bring to it counts for more than the month it was assigned.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I wear a birthstone that isn't mine?

Yes — and plenty of people do. The modern list is partly a commercial standard, and several months offer more than one option. Choose the stone whose color, meaning, or durability you actually want to live with.

### Are lab-grown birthstones "real"?

For diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds, yes — a lab-grown stone is chemically and optically identical to a mined one. It typically costs less and avoids the sourcing concerns of mined gems, which is why we recommend it for most birthstone pieces.

### Which birthstones can I wear every day?

The hard ones. Sapphire, ruby, and diamond (all 9+ on the Mohs scale) handle daily wear, including rings. Softer stones — pearl, opal, turquoise, tanzanite — last longest as earrings or pendants, away from knocks and friction.

### What's the most affordable way to buy a birthstone piece that still lasts?

Gold vermeil (thick gold over sterling silver) paired with a lab-grown or affordable natural stone. You get real gold at the surface and a meaningful piece without solid-gold pricing — and it holds up far better than plated alternatives.

### Do birthstones actually mean anything?

A birthstone is a way of attaching significance to an object you keep, which is the oldest reason humans have made jewelry at all.

## Related on Luxe Digital

- [The 21 Most Expensive Watches In The World: For When You Strike It Rich](https://luxe.digital/watches-jewelry/most-expensive-watches/)
- [The World’s Best Luxury Watch Brands](https://luxe.digital/watches-jewelry/luxury-watch-brands/)
- [Gold Karat Explained: Differences Between 24K, 22K, 18K, 14K, 12K Gold](https://luxe.digital/watches-jewelry/gold-karats-guide/)