BIRTHSTONEs by month

Birthstones for Engagement Rings

 

Here is a list of traditional birthstones by month. What is your birthstone? Read about the gems historically associated with your month. Birthstones add an extra personal touch to your unique engagement ring or wedding band. You can also design a custom ring with a selection of birthstones.
 

Month	Present	18th & 19th Centuries
January	Garnet	Garnet
February	Amethyst	Amethyst, Hyacinth
March	Aquamarine, Bloodstone	Jasper, Bloodstone
April	Diamond	Diamond, Sapphire
May	Emerald	Emerald, Agate
June	Pearl, Moonstone, Alexandrite	Pearl, Moonstone, Alexandrite
July	Ruby	Turquoise, Onyx
August	Peridot, Spinel (new!)	Sardonyx
September	Sapphire	Peridot
October	Opal, Tourmaline	Beryl, Opal
November	Topaz, Citrine	Topaz, Pearl
December	Tanzanite, Turquoise, Zircon	Ruby

 

	January   Garnet Mozambique Garnet, glowing deep red with hints of orange and brown, reminds us of an autumn harvest or Indian summer. The rich hue of Mozambique Garnet enhances designs that blend the exotic flavors of India, Africa, and the Orient. Red Garnet is typically the gem of choice for those born in January. However, the Garnet family of gems encompasses a large variety of groups and colors, including gorgeous green tsavorite, orange spessartite, and mint green from Tanzania. Very rare and unusual, garnet can also be found in material that changes color in different light. Mozambique Garnet is the most common orange/brown red, followed closely by the more popular raspberry tones of rhodolite garnet. Hardness: 7-7.5. Rated "good" for everyday wear. Check out our amazing collection of garnet, tsavorite and spessartite in our online gem search.
	February   Amethyst Purple passion. From refreshing lilac to ripe plum, Amethyst demonstrates the drama and excitement of the color purple. The gem is used to celebrate February birthdays, as well as the fourth, six, and ninth wedding anniversaries. With a hardness of 7, Amethyst is a good choice for dress and special occasions and with proper care makes a great everyday accessory.
	March   Aquamarine Imagine taking a dip in a crystal blue mountain lake--the morning air crisp and expectant, the sky soaring high and cloudless overhead. The name literally means "ocean water," with tales of Aquamarine dating back to ancient seafaring days. Modern-day etiquette suggests Aquamarine as the gem of choice to celebrate March birthdays and 16th and 19th anniversaries. It is a member of the Beryl family, and a cousin to Emerald and Morganite. Hardness: 7.5-8. Rated "good" for everyday wear.   Bloodstone A member of the Chalcedony family, Heliotrope offers a complex, masculine appeal. The speckles of Jasper give rise to the familiar name Bloodstone, so named because the red spots were believed to be drops of Christ's blood. Bloodstone is an alternative to Aquamarine as a birthstone for March. With a hardness of 6.5 to 7, it is a fairly wearable stone as long as the individual is cautious. The most desirable Bloodstone displays a green background with well-defined red spots. The green should not be so dark that it appears black.
	April   Diamond What is the story of your diamond? Is it a story of passion? A story of joy? A story of intrigue? The beauty of a diamond is that it is the perfect expression of you--your special story. A diamond reflects the rarity, brilliance and breathtaking fire of a gem that has survived a journey of billions of years for the pleasure of adornment. The diamond celebrates those born in April, as well as the 75th wedding anniversary.
	May   Emerald Lush. Exotic. Untamed. This is no ordinary, garden-variety green: Emerald pulses with life and vitality. The green of Emerald is representative of life and springtime. It is the gem chosen by love birds to celebrate their 20th, 35th or 55th wedding anniversary. Emerald is also the gemstone of choice for those born in May as well as those born under the sign of Virgo. Hardness: 7.5-8. Rated "fair to good" for everyday wear.
	June   Moonstone Sensuous and intriguing, Moonstone seems to glow with the light of the moon itself. With its rich luster and subdued color, the ancients claim the gem was formed by moonlight. In fashion, the misty hue of Moonstone is the perfect accent to Victorian inspired styles. Its translucent color makes an interesting combination with pearls, and other opaque gems like Rose Quartz and milky Aquamarine. Hardness: 6-6.5. Rated "good" for everyday wear.   Pearl The pearl is the only birthstone that is the product of an aquatic life form. Fresh water pearls commemorate the first wedding anniversary. They also celebrate the 3rd, 12th and 30th anniversaries.   Alexandrite Night and day, the changing hues of Alexandrite enchant the eye and fuel the imagination. Its mesmerizing color swings from red to green depending on the light source, making it the most famous and popular of all color-changing gems. First discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia, this gem helped celebrate the era of Czar Alexander II. Its name was bestowed on this newly found Chrysoberyl as a tribute. The hypnotic beauty of Alexandrite makes it a gem prized by connoisseurs. Often used to celebrate June birthdays, Alexandirte also commemorates the 45th and 55th wedding anniversaries. With a hardness of 8.5, Alexandrite is an excellent gem in terms of everyday wear.
	July   Ruby Blood-red. Fire-red. The "king of gems," Ruby is one of the world's oldest and most revered gemstones. It is also one of the rarest. The mineral Chromium is responsible for the gem's startling color. Ruby is the gem most bestowed on those born in July as well as those born under the sign of Aries. Its arresting hue speaks of passion and love, making it a stunning gem option for the celebration of the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.
	August   Peridot The green-apple crispness of Peridot complements today's lively fashion scene perfectly. As the popularity of lime green continues to grow, so does the youthful appeal of this citrus-hued gem. This energetic green gemstone is symbolic of August birthdays as well as given to those born under the zodiac sign of Libra. It is often used to celebrate the 1st and 16th wedding anniversaries. Hardness: 6.5-7. Rated "fair" for everyday wear with care. Spinel The newly approved and celebrated birthstone of August, spinel is hard at 8.5 on the Moh's scale, and also comes in a wide variety of colors.  From rich to pale pinks, purples and blues, you are certain to find your favorite color spinel. See more spinel here!
	September   Sapphire Sapphire--in all its rainbow of colors--is the gem given to those born in September or to those born under the sign of Aquarius. It is also associated with the celebration of the 5th, 7th, 10th and 45th wedding anniversaries.
	October   Opal The color of a rainbow. The glow of the Northern Lights. The dramatic flash of summer lightning. All the colors of the evening sky are captured in the mysterious, shifting hues of Opal. The changing colors and flashing fire seen in this stone are symbolic of love, life, hope and truth. Opal is often chosen to celebrate those born in October. It is also the gem used to commemorate the 12th, 14th or 18th wedding anniversaries.   Tourmaline Tourmaline is often used to celebrate October birthdays as well as the 5th and 8th wedding anniversaries. Rated "fair to good" for everyday wear. Hardness: 7-7.5
	November   Topaz Shown is Precious Topaz, whose color is quite literally intoxicating. From the pale amber gold of old cognac to the warmly glowing browns of aged whiskey and fine sherry, topaz invites us to drink in its beauty. Whether set in classic designs or in contemporary styles, Precious Topaz creations will be treasured for generations. Hardness: 8. Rated "good" for everyday wear.   Citrine The mellow gold of Citrine captures attention and brightens our moods. A sunny quartz whose name comes from the French word for "lemon." Citrine makes a great gift for those born in November, as well as those born under the sign of Gemini. Citrine is also used to commemorate the 11th and 13th wedding anniversaries. Hardness: 7. Rated "good" for everyday wear.
	December   Tanzanite The first thing you notice is the color: Deep, vivid blue, with a purplish tinge that dances about the stone as its moves in the light. This modern gemstone was unknown until 1967, when Massai herdsmen in eastern Africa noticed blue crystals sparkling in the sun. In 2002, the American Gem Trade Association named Tanzanite an alternative gem to celebrate December births. Tanzanite is a member of the Zoisite family of gems. Hardness: 6-7. Not for everyday wear.   Turquoise Cultures around the globe revere Turquoise as a mystical and holy gemstone. It is a gem given to those born in December to celebrate their birth. It is also the gem given in honor of the 6th and 11th wedding anniversaries. The brilliant blue of Turquoise is in demand as an accessory for contemporary fashions. Hardness: 5-6. Rated "fair" for everyday wear.   Zircon A gem of great beauty and rarity, sparkling Blue Zircon might be mistaken for the far more expensive blue diamond. Frequently used to celebrate December birthdays and the 4th wedding anniversary, the aqua-blue brightness of Zircon, often tinged with shimmering teal, gives energy and renewal to those who discover this often overlooked gem.