The birth stones for each month symbolize the gifts given to honor the newborn baby and their parents. Let’s look at the birthstones for January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December... what are the birthstones for each month? You’ll find all of them here!
January – Garnet
Garnet is a birthstone that symbolizes good health and protection from harm. If you’re feeling under siege, having a garnet stone in your pocket or around your neck can help ward off negativity. On its own, garnet is also believed to have been worn as talismans against witchcraft, poison and plague. Wearing it today has similar powers, only you’ll be protected against more commonplace dangers like car accidents or falls down stairs. It can even enhance love life if your heart’s set on someone special—especially if they give you a ring with a diamond-encrusted garnet!
February – Amethyst
Amethyst is a beautiful purple gemstone that is sought after by collectors, but also has its place in history as one of two birthstones of February (the other being aquamarine). Ancient Greeks and Romans called amethyst the merchant’s stone because they believed it had mystical powers to increase shrewdness and wisdom. (1) It has often been used as a talisman or amulet to protect against drunkenness and enhance spiritual wellbeing. Its name comes from ancient Greek words meaning not drunk, because it was thought to protect against intoxication. The ancients held amethyst in high esteem, believing it could make one invisible, preserve health, cure fever, promote sleep and ward off evil spirits.
March – Aquamarine
One of two birth stones associated with March, aquamarine is a beautiful blue stone that is thought to calm nerves and ease anxiety. While it’s not one of my favorite month birthstones (I prefer diamonds or rubies), there’s no denying its beauty. One look at its pale-blue hue and you’ll fall in love! Aquamarine was once believed to be a rare gemstone; however, modern mining methods have made it much more accessible. If you’re interested in giving an aquamarine as a gift, remember that they work best when they represent something meaningful to your relationship.
April – Diamond
The birthstone for April is diamond. Although most people commonly think of April as being diamond’s birth month, it is actually not true. The official birth stone for April is aquamarine. Diamond wasn’t officially listed as a birthstone until 1902 and even then, it was only listed in America. In fact, diamond remains a very rare stone today and many jewelers and gemologists question if it should be considered a birthstone at all since most people wouldn’t recognize one upon first glance. The last two months listed with official birthstones are turquoise (June) and ruby (July).
May – Emerald
A green variety of beryl, emerald is said to enhance physical strength and emotional well-being. Legend also says that emeralds can bring good luck and ward off negative spirits. Emeralds have been mined since 2,500 B.C., though most of these came from Colombia, South America, where miners originally believed them to be dragon eggs (the word emerald derives from ancient Greek meaning green dragon). Today, most emeralds come from Zambia or Brazil. Typically only 5% of an emerald’s weight comes from actual gemstone; a large part of its weight comes from water. The highest quality emeralds contain almost no inclusions at all.
June – Pearl
Pearl jewelry is making a comeback as brides are looking for unique ways to incorporate natural elements into their weddings. Pearl engagement rings and diamond-accented pearl necklaces are some of the hottest trends, but not all pearls are created equal. So what's different about cultivated vs. natural pearls? Natural or cultured pearls are 100% real and come from oysters, while cubic zirconia is manmade and can be imitated easily (hence why it's an issue at all). So if you want a pricey look for less cash, stick with natural pearls. In fact, an average strand will cost you only $18; that means you could afford more than five strands for every diamond necklace out there!
July – Ruby
The red gemstone, ruby is actually considered one of two types of corundum gems: sapphire and ruby. (The other is blue, called sapphire.) Ruby is valued for its vivid red color and fire. Most rubies also contain some amount of trace minerals that can affect their coloration and intensities; inclusions are more common in Sri Lankan rubies as opposed to Kashmiri ones. Rubies can be found all over Asia, although Burma produces some of the finest specimens because they are more pure than those from most other regions. So, no—cubic zirconia isn’t fake at all; it’s very real! August – Peridot
In August, peridot is in full swing. Peridot has been used as jewelry for thousands of years, most notably by Egyptian royalty. This green gem is formed from an iron and magnesium silicate mineral that has become an important gemstone for modern jewelry. When buying a peridot, you’ll want to choose one with no cracks or chips.
September – Sapphire
It’s easy to think of sapphires as blue and cubic zirconia as fake diamonds, but there is more than one kind of cubic zirconia. The most common type of CZ actually has more in common with moissanite than diamond, because it's made from lab-grown crystals. The difference is that moissanite is naturally white while lab-grown CZ can be any color under the rainbow—and it's always incredibly sparkly. It's safe to say that fake isn't really an accurate term for any kind of manmade diamond substitute anymore!
October - Opal/Pink Tourmaline
For decades, pink opal/pink tourmaline have been confused with diamonds. Although diamond is one of many gemstones that possess qualities and beauty comparable to precious opal and pink tourmaline, these synthetic gems are often mistaken for real diamonds. In order to help you identify pink opal/pink tourmaline and determine if they’re genuine, I’ve created an infographic that covers several key differences between all three gems.
November - Topaz/Turquoise Zircon
Although there are many types of cubic zirconium, most people think of yellow or white when they hear cubic zirconium. The gem has become popular for its bright and sparkly qualities, making it very desirable for jewelry. Topaz/Turquoise are also not as expensive as diamond, making them an ideal choice for consumers on a budget who want to look like they have expensive diamonds on their fingers or around their neck.
December - Turquoise Zircon/Blue Topaz
If you’re buying for someone with a more neutral taste, it’s almost impossible to go wrong with December birthstones like turquoise zircon and blue topaz. These stones are strikingly beautiful, available in practically every shade imaginable, and last forever—literally. Blue topaz is often touted as one of nature’s best gems because of its extreme hardness, high saturation of color (no brown or green tones), fire (also known as brilliance or dispersion), and durability.
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