Birthstones By Month - Definitive Guide

Birthstones are gemstones traditionally associated with the month in which a person is born. The modern list of birthstones, created in 1912 by the National Association of Jewelers, consists of 12 precious and semi‑precious stones: Garnet (January), Amethyst (February), Aquamarine or Bloodstone (March), Diamond (April), Emerald (May), Pearl and Alexandrite (June), Ruby (July), Peridot and Sardonyx (August), Sapphire (September), Opal or Tourmaline (October), Topaz and Citrine (November) and Turquoise and Zircon(December). Believed to contain special powers, birthstones have been historically worn as jewelry since ancient times - often incorporated into engagement and wedding rings - for spiritual protection and for good luck.

Month Wise Birthstone

January - Garnet

The January birthstone, garnet, is a highly regarded gemstone with a long-standing tradition. Representing loyalty, devotion and trustworthiness, this captivating gemstone symbolizes friendship and commitment. Garnets come in many different hues and can range from light to dark due to their distinctive chemical composition; they are characterized by vivid reds and yellows but can also be found in shades of green.

The most valuable type of garnet is the demantoid variety which features an intense yellow color with pronounced dispersion- the scattering of light highlights that contribute to this gem's brilliance. With its stunning beauty, garnet will make a great addition to any jewelry collection.

February - Amethyst

Amethyst, the premier birthstone for February, is a semiprecious gemstone whose alluring beauty has been recognized since ancient times. Its deep purple hue is derived from iron and aluminum impurities in quartz, making it one of the most desirable among the quartzes in terms of its coloring. Prized for its rarity.

March - Aquamarine

The March birthstone, Aquamarine, is a stunning blue-green variety of beryl that ranges in hue from pale blue-green to deep turquoise. Along with its beautiful color, this precious gemstone is also renowned for its hardness and durability – it scores an 8 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. For centuries, Aquamarine has been worn by royalty as a symbol of courage and faithfulness in relationships.

April - Diamond

The April birthstone diamond is renowned for its unrivaled beauty and durability, making it an enduring symbol of romantic love. One of the hardest gems known to humankind, diamonds are a coveted stone often set in rings and other fine jewelry as an expression of loyalty and affection. The diamond's intensity of color can range from near-colorless to a deep yellow hue, each having its own unique characteristics.

May - Emerald

The May birthstone, Emerald, is a gemstone that has been cherished for centuries. A precious stone of deep verdant green, it is highly appreciated throughout the world for its intense beautiful color. Its chemical composition affords it strength and durability while its rarity makes it one of the most valued gemstones.

It has historically been associated with romance and love, symbolizing loyalty and friendship; many plant-related symbols have also been attributed to this remarkable stone with Cleopatra being known as an advocate of its beauty.

June - Pearl And Alexandrite

June's birthstone, the pearl and Alexandrite, both represent love and protection. The pearl is an excellent choice for individuals born in June as it embodies sincerity and wisdom. Many cultures view the pearl as a symbol of purity, integrity and innocence that helps balance emotions and bring serenity to its wearer.

Alexandrite displays a unique color transition from a vibrant green tone in daylight to a deep red hue when exposed to artificial light, signifying love's transformation over time into something different but with all-encompassing strength.

July - Ruby

The July birthstone, the ruby, is renowned as one of the most treasured and precious gems in history and has made it onto the crowns of kings and queens staying true to its meaning “kingly”. Born deep within the earth, rubies come in an array of pinkish red hues that are known to be sourced from just a handful of mines throughout Asia.

August - Spinel, Sardonyx, and Peridot

August is a special month in the gemstone family, containing three birthstones: Spinel, Sardonyx, and Peridot. Spinel is an 8-8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it perfect for any engagement ring needs that require durability for everyday wear. Its colors can range from red to pink through blue and violet shades.

Sardonyx is an opaque stone made of alternating bands of different forms of quartz and chalcedony giving it its distinct brown-red striations used in jewelry such as rings or pendants. It has a 6-7 Mohs hardness rating which makes it suitable for earrings and other non intensive jewelry pieces.

Finally, August’s third birthstone, Peridot is unique in its yellowish green hue only found in this particular variety of olivine stones with ratings ranging from 6.5 - 7 on the Mohs hardness scale making it suitable for pendants or earrings but not rings due to its relative softness when compared to diamond or spinel circles.

September - Sapphire

The September birthstone, sapphire, is a stunning deep blue gemstone made up of alumina (Al2O3). Sapphires have a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale and are the second hardest stone after diamonds. Due to its exceptional toughness and extremely good light refraction quality, it has been one of the most popular stones used in jewelry for centuries.

October - Opal Tourmaline

Opal and Tourmaline are the October birthstones, offering breathtaking beauty and powerful symbolism. Opal is a precious stone made of hydrated amorphous silicon dioxide and its stunning swirly patterns provide a dazzling show of color against any backdrop. It is believed to bring success, love, creativity, loyalty, faithfulness, spontaneity and freedom from oppression.

Tourmaline has a unique pyroelectric property that makes it vibrate when heated which gives the gemstone its namesake derived from the Sinhalese word "tura mali" meaning "mixed stone". Comprised of silicate minerals, tourmaline comes in many colors determine by their mineral content. Its vivid hues symbolize balance and harmony for those born in October.

November - Topaz And Citrine

November birthstones are Topaz and Citrine. Revered since ancient times, Topaz is a silicate mineral with a hardness rating of 8 on the Moh's scale and can be found in an array of colors from blue, pink, yellow to colorless. Its remarkable ability to refract light makes it one of the most desirable semi-precious gems used for fine jewelry.

Citrine is also a variety of quartz that comes in hues ranging from pale yellow to intense orange; its soft golden hue is thought to energize the wearer and impart warmth. With similar hardness ratings for both gemstones, these birthstones offer excellent durability for everyday wear and long lasting shine.

December - Zircon, Topaz, Tanzanite, Lapis Lazuli, And Topaz

The December Birthstone meaning is the calendar's final month stone, which protects the wearer's life in any extreme conditions. When a birthstone has a blue and transparent aspect from the mines, it is referred to as a December birthstone.

Turquoise, Zircon, Tanzanite, Lapis Lazuli, and Topaz are December birthstones. According to the December Birthstone meaning, it is a carrier of prosperity, calmness, friendliness, a supporting personality, and provides motivation in people's lives.