Birthstones have been cherished for centuries, each month of the year linked to a unique gemstone full of color, meaning, and tradition. These precious and semi-precious stones serve as a definitive reference for those seeking to understand the traditional and modern options associated with each month. A birthstone chart is a comprehensive visual guide that displays the official gemstones, serving as a reference for gemstone colors, properties, and symbolic meanings. Whether exploring your own birthstone or looking for a thoughtful gift, understanding the birthstone chart by month is the perfect place to start. This guide examines the modern and traditional birthstones by month, as outlined in the available sources, exploring the reasons behind their popularity and how they continue to be relevant in contemporary culture.
January: Garnet
Modern Birthstone: Garnet
Traditional Birthstone: Garnet
January is represented by the Garnet, a silicate mineral group of several related species of lustrous gemstones, which range from transparent to opaque. While garnet is commonly associated with the color red, these gemstones can be found in almost any color and are popular choices for jewelry of all types. The most common color for garnet is red, though blue garnets, the rarest variety, were discovered in the 1990s.
Garnet is one of the most diverse gemstones. In gemological terms, it is a silicate mineral group with a Mohs hardness of approximately 7, making it reasonably tough for use in jewelry. Most garnet species are not considered rare, and they are mined around the world. Symbolically, garnet represents friendship, trust, and protection. Its meaning is often associated with constancy. The stone's reasonably tough hardness rating of around 7 ensures its durability for various types of jewelry, from rings to pendants.
February: Amethyst
Modern Birthstone: Amethyst
Traditional Birthstone: Amethyst
February’s birthstone is Amethyst, a variety of quartz known for its striking purple color. Historically, this gemstone was believed to cure drunkenness and enhance quick thinking in business. It is believed to promote peace, clarity, and spiritual balance. While once a gemstone reserved for the wealthy, new discoveries have made it more accessible to a broader audience.
Amethyst has a Mohs hardness of 7, making it a durable choice for jewelry. Its key symbolism includes peace, protection, and tranquility. The stone's purple hues range from light lavender to deep violet, and its association with sincerity makes it a meaningful gift for those born in February.
March: Aquamarine and Bloodstone
Modern Birthstone: Aquamarine
Traditional Birthstone: Bloodstone
March is unique in that it is represented by two distinct gemstones: Aquamarine and Bloodstone. Aquamarine is known for its soothing blue tones reminiscent of the sea, ranging from pale to deep blue. It has a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, making it quite durable. The stone symbolizes courage, honesty, and loyalty.
The traditional birthstone for March is Bloodstone, a green jasper with red specks. This opaque variety offers a stark contrast to the transparent aquamarine. Both stones are valued for their distinct appearances and historical significance.
April: Diamond
Modern Birthstone: Diamond
Traditional Birthstone: Diamond
The birthstone for April is the Diamond, the hardest known natural mineral with a perfect Mohs hardness rating of 10. Composed of pure carbon, diamonds are renowned for their clarity and brilliance. While traditionally associated with clear or colorless appearances, diamonds can also occur in various colors due to trace elements.
Symbolically, the diamond represents love, purity, and strength. Its innocence and enduring nature make it the most popular choice for engagement rings and other significant jewelry pieces. Sources also mention "Rock Crystal" as a traditional or alternative stone, which is a colorless variety of quartz, though the diamond remains the primary association for this month.
May: Emerald
Modern Birthstone: Emerald
Traditional Birthstone: Emerald
Emerald is the designated birthstone for May. This gemstone is a variety of the mineral beryl, colored by trace amounts of chromium and/or vanadium, which give it a distinct green hue. Emeralds typically have a hardness of 7.5 to 8. However, they often contain inclusions and fissures, which are sometimes referred to as "jardin" (French for garden), making flawless emeralds exceptionally rare and valuable.
The key symbolism for emerald includes rebirth, love, and wisdom. Its vibrant green color has been associated with spring and regeneration for centuries. Sources also list "Chrysoprase" as an alternative stone for May; this is a translucent variety of chrysocolla known for its apple-green color.
June: Pearl, Alexandrite, and Moonstone
Modern Birthstone: Alexandrite
Traditional Birthstone: Pearl
June is one of the few months with three official birthstones: Pearl, Alexandrite, and Moonstone. The modern birthstone is Alexandrite, while Pearl is the traditional choice.
Pearls are unique among gemstones because they are organic, formed within mollusks. They range in color from white to cream and have a much lower hardness, ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale. Pearls symbolize purity, innocence, and faith.
Alexandrite is a rare variety of chrysoberyl famous for its dramatic color change—appearing green in daylight and red or purplish-red under incandescent light. It is a very hard gemstone, typically around 8.5 on the Mohs scale.
Moonstone, the third option, is a variety of feldspar known for its adularescence—a bluish or milky sheen that moves across the stone. While not detailed in the hardness data provided, it is a traditional favorite for June.
July: Ruby
Modern Birthstone: Ruby
Traditional Birthstone: Ruby
July is represented by the Ruby, a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminum oxide) that derives its red color from chromium. Ruby is one of the hardest gemstones, with a Mohs hardness of 9, second only to the diamond. Its durability makes it ideal for all forms of jewelry.
The ruby is a symbol of passion, protection, and prosperity. Its deep red color has long been associated with power and wealth. Sources also mention "Carnelian" as a traditional alternative, which is a reddish-brown variety of chalcedony, a member of the quartz family.
August: Peridot, Spinel, and Sardonyx
Modern Birthstone: Peridot
Traditional Birthstone: Sardonyx
August has three birthstones: Peridot, Spinel, and Sardonyx. Peridot is the modern choice, known for its lime-green color. It is a gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine and has a hardness of 6.5 to 7. Peridot symbolizes strength, good fortune, and peace.
Spinel is a durable gemstone (hardness 8) that comes in a wide variety of colors, including the famous "ruby-red" variety that has often been mistaken for ruby throughout history.
Sardonyx, the traditional birthstone, is a variety of onyx featuring alternating layers of sard (reddish-brown) and onyx (white or black).
September: Sapphire
Modern Birthstone: Sapphire
Traditional Birthstone: Sapphire
The birthstone for September is Sapphire, another variety of corundum. While most commonly associated with blue, sapphires can occur in almost any color except red (which are classified as rubies). Sapphire has a Mohs hardness of 9, making it exceptionally durable.
Sapphires symbolize wisdom, loyalty, and nobility. The deep blue of the sapphire has been a favorite of royalty and clergy for centuries. Sources also list "Lapis Lazuli" as an alternative stone; this is an opaque rock composed of multiple minerals, distinct from the transparent sapphire.
October: Opal and Tourmaline
Modern Birthstone: Tourmaline
Traditional Birthstone: Opal
October is associated with two very different gemstones: Opal and Tourmaline. Opal is the traditional birthstone, famous for its "play of color"—a phenomenon where flashes of spectral light shift as the stone is moved. Opal has a hardness of 5.5 to 6.5 and symbolizes hope, creativity, and innocence.
Tourmaline, the modern birthstone, is known for its incredible variety of colors, often found within a single crystal. It is harder than opal, with a Mohs hardness of 7 to 7.5. Tourmaline is often called the "Rainbow Gemstone" and carries the symbolism of hope.
November: Topaz and Citrine
Modern Birthstone: Citrine
Traditional Birthstone: Topaz
November features Topaz and Citrine. Citrine is the modern birthstone, a variety of quartz known for its yellow to orange-brown hues. It shares the hardness of quartz, 7 on the Mohs scale. Citrine symbolizes love and affection.
Topaz is the traditional stone, a silicate mineral that can be found in various colors, though often associated with yellow. Pure topaz is colorless, but impurities can create blue, pink, or yellow varieties. Topaz has a hardness of 8 and symbolizes strength. It is important to note that historically, many yellow stones were called topaz, but modern gemology distinguishes them clearly.
December: Tanzanite, Turquoise, and Zircon
Modern Birthstone: Tanzanite
Traditional Birthstone: Turquoise
December offers a trio of stones: Tanzanite, Turquoise, and Zircon. Tanzanite is the modern birthstone, a variety of zoisite discovered in Tanzania in the 1960s. It is known for its striking blue-to-purple hue. It has a hardness of 6.5 to 7 and symbolizes protection, healing, and wisdom.
Turquoise, the traditional stone, is an opaque mineral that ranges from blue to greenish-blue. It is one of the oldest known gemstones, used for millennia by ancient civilizations. It is softer than many other jewelry stones, with a hardness of 5 to 6.
Zircon (specifically Blue Zircon) is also listed as a modern alternative. Zircon is a naturally occurring mineral with a hardness of 7.5. It should not be confused with cubic zirconia, a synthetic diamond simulant.
Gemological Properties Summary
The following table summarizes the key properties of the primary modern birthstones as derived from the provided sources.
| Month | Modern Birthstone | Color | Hardness (Mohs Scale) | Key Symbolism |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Deep Red (varies) | 6.5 - 7.5 | Friendship, Trust, Protection |
| February | Amethyst | Purple | 7 | Peace, Protection, Tranquility |
| March | Aquamarine | Light Blue | 7.5 - 8 | Courage, Honesty, Loyalty |
| April | Diamond | Clear/Colorless | 10 | Love, Purity, Strength |
| May | Emerald | Green | 7.5 - 8 | Rebirth, Love, Wisdom |
| June | Alexandrite | Color-changing | ~8.5 | Luck, Intuition |
| July | Ruby | Red | 9 | Passion, Protection, Prosperity |
| August | Peridot | Lime Green | 6.5 - 7 | Strength, Good Fortune, Peace |
| September | Sapphire | Blue | 9 | Wisdom, Loyalty, Nobility |
| October | Tourmaline | Multicolored | 7 - 7.5 | Hope, Creativity, Innocence |
| November | Citrine | Yellow/Orange | 7 | Love, Affection, Strength |
| December | Tanzanite | Blue/Purple | 6.5 - 7 | Protection, Healing, Wisdom |
Conclusion
The study of birthstones reveals a rich tapestry of geological diversity and cultural significance. From the extreme hardness of the April Diamond to the organic formation of the June Pearl, each stone offers a unique combination of durability, color, and meaning. While modern lists often prioritize availability and durability—such as the inclusion of Tanzanite and Spinel—traditional stones remain popular for their historical resonance. Understanding the properties and lore behind these gemstones allows enthusiasts and buyers to make informed decisions, whether for personal jewelry or as meaningful gifts. The evolution of these lists reflects the dynamic nature of the gem trade and the enduring human desire to connect the calendar with the treasures of the earth.