Every month has its birthstone, and many have more than one. Most official birthstones are precious gems, so this guide also lists the natural crystals that share each month's color and spirit, linked to their full meaning guides and to the pieces in our shop. They make lovely, affordable birthday gifts.
Jump to your month: Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
Birthstones by month at a glance
| Month | Official birthstone | Hardness (Mohs) | Crystal alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | 6.5–7.5 | Garnet, Red jasper, Carnelian |
| February | Amethyst | 7 | Amethyst, Lepidolite |
| March | Aquamarine, Bloodstone | 7.5–8, 6.5–7 | Aquamarine, Bloodstone, Amazonite, Ocean jasper |
| April | Diamond | 10 | Clear quartz |
| May | Emerald | 7.5–8 | Green aventurine, Moss agate, Malachite |
| June | Pearl, Alexandrite, Moonstone | 2.5–4.5, 8.5, 6–6.5 | Moonstone |
| July | Ruby | 9 | Ruby zoisite, Carnelian, Red jasper |
| August | Peridot, Spinel, Sardonyx | 6.5–7, 8, 6.5–7 | Peridot, Sardonyx |
| September | Sapphire | 9 | Lapis lazuli, Sodalite |
| October | Opal, Tourmaline | 5.5–6.5, 7–7.5 | Pink opal, Tourmaline |
| November | Topaz, Citrine | 8, 7 | Citrine, Tiger's eye, Sunstone |
| December | Turquoise, Zircon, Tanzanite | 5–6, 7.5, 6.5–7 | Lapis lazuli, Sodalite |
January birthstone: Garnet
Deep wine-red garnet has long been a stone of devotion and safe travels.
Crystals for a January birthday:
February birthstone: Amethyst
Violet amethyst, the stone of calm and clear thinking, is one of the few official birthstones almost anyone can afford.
Crystals for a February birthday:
March birthstone: Aquamarine and Bloodstone
Sea-blue aquamarine was a sailor's stone, and bloodstone, its traditional partner, is green flecked with red.
Crystals for a March birthday:
April birthstone: Diamond
Diamond is the April stone, and clear, sparkling quartz is the classic affordable stand-in.
Crystals for a April birthday:
May birthstone: Emerald
Emerald green is the color of spring, and green crystals carry the same color and the same sense of growth.
Crystals for a May birthday:
June birthstone: Pearl, Alexandrite and Moonstone
June has three birthstones, and moonstone, with its soft floating glow, is the crystal among them.
Crystals for a June birthday:
July birthstone: Ruby
Ruby red is the color of July. Ruby zoisite holds real ruby crystals in green zoisite.
Crystals for a July birthday:
August birthstone: Peridot, Spinel and Sardonyx
August has three: olive-green peridot, the gem of the sun, banded sardonyx, the original August stone, and spinel, added in 2016.
Crystals for a August birthday:
September birthstone: Sapphire
Sapphire blue is the color of September, and deep blue crystals share it.
Crystals for a September birthday:
October birthstone: Opal and Tourmaline
October has opal and tourmaline, both known for their range of colors.
Crystals for a October birthday:
November birthstone: Topaz and Citrine
Golden citrine, the sunny merchant's stone, shares November with topaz.
Crystals for a November birthday:
December birthstone: Turquoise, Zircon and Tanzanite
December's stones are all blue. Natural turquoise is often imitated with dyed howlite, so blue crystals we can vouch for are listed instead.
Crystals for a December birthday:
Who decided the birthstones?
Linking gems to months is old, but the modern list began in 1912, when the National Association of Jewelers in the United States, later Jewelers of America, agreed on a standard list. It has been updated a few times since, most recently in 2016, when spinel joined August. That's why some months have two or three stones. Sources: GIA birthstones and Geology.com.
Birthstones and zodiac stones
Birthstones follow the calendar month. Zodiac stones follow the sun sign, which changes around the 20th of each month, so someone born on March 25 has a March birthstone and an Aries zodiac stone. See every sign in the zodiac and chakra chart.
Questions people ask
Why do some months have more than one birthstone? New stones have been added over the years to give more choice in color and price, so June, August, October, November and December each have two or three.
Can I wear a birthstone that isn't mine? Of course. Many people choose stones for a loved one's birth month, their zodiac sign or simply the color they love.
What's a good birthstone gift? A necklace, bracelet or small stone in the month's color. Each piece in our shop is one of a kind, and the one pictured is the one you'll receive. See gifts under $20.