Birthstones by Month
Every month of the year has its own gem, a stone tied to it by centuries of tradition, each with its own colour, meaning, and folklore. Pick your birth month to read what your birthstone is, the symbolism and properties it's believed to carry, where it comes from, and the zodiac signs it belongs to.
Frequently asked questions
What is a birthstone?
A birthstone is a gem associated with a particular month of the year, drawn from a traditional list. Each month has its own stone (January's garnet, April's diamond, September's sapphire, and so on) and the pairing comes from centuries of custom rather than any property of the stone itself.
How do I find my birthstone?
Your birthstone is simply the gem assigned to your birth month. Find your month in the list above to see its stone, for example, an August birthday means peridot, and a December birthday means turquoise.
What's the difference between traditional and modern birthstones?
The modern birthstone list most people use today was standardized in 1912 by an association of U.S. jewelers, and has been tweaked only slightly since. Older traditional lists are far less fixed, they vary by century and culture, which is why some months carry more than one historical stone.
Can I wear a birthstone that isn't from my birth month?
Yes. Birthstones are symbolic rather than prescriptive, so there's no rule that you can only wear your own month's gem. Many people choose a stone for its colour, its traditional meaning, or simply because it resonates with them.
Do birthstones relate to zodiac signs?
There are also zodiac (or astrological) birthstones, assigned by sun sign rather than by calendar month. These are a separate, older tradition from the month-based list, and because sign dates straddle two months, the two systems don't always line up.
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