Each birth month of the year is represented by a unique gemstone, known as a birthstone. Individual birthstones have special meanings as well as unique attributes and can be worn to represent the unique characteristics of the wearer. It has long been a widely accepted belief that wearing your birthstone is a symbol of wellness and good fortune, bringing the owner good luck and warding off bad karma and illness. Typically, each month’s birthstone features a distinctive color, but some gemstones come in a wide array of hues.
Read on to learn about each month’s official birthday gemstone, including its corresponding color and meaning.
January Birthstone
Garnet is the official birthstone for January and signifies protection, friendship, trust, commitment and love. Garnet is also said to keep the wearer safe during travel. Garnet jewels are made from silicate and come in a variety of colors with deep, rich red garnets being the most common. Learn more about the garnet birthstone for January. Open in new window
February Birthstone
Amethyst is the official birthstone for February. The amethyst gemstone is believed to strengthen relationships and give its wearer courage. Amethysts come in varying shades of purple, a hue that’s widely recognized to symbolize power, wealth, royalty and dominance. Learn more about the amethyst birthstone for February. Open in new window
March Birthstone
Aquamarine is the official birthstone for March and signifies hope, health, youth and fidelity. Aquamarine jewels are reminiscent of the sea, ranging in color from light to deep blue. Learn more about the aquamarine birthstone for March. Open in new window
April Birthstone
Diamond is the official birthstone for April and a symbol of eternal love. Harder than any other mineral found in nature, diamonds are made from carbon and come in a range of colors, but colorless diamonds are the most popular. Learn more about the birthstone for April. Open in new window
May Birthstone
Emerald is the official birthstone for May and is considered to be a symbol of love and rebirth. The vibrant green color of the emerald is reminiscent of the lushness associated with May and the spring season. The value of the emerald is directly correlated to its color—the deeper and more vivid the green, the more valuable the gemstone. Learn more about the emerald birthstone for May. Open in new window
June Birthstone
Those born in June have three official birthstones: pearl Open in new window, alexandrite Open in new window and moonstone Open in new window. Cultured pearls come in a range of beautiful colors and represent purity, loyalty, integrity and generosity. Moonstone is also available in a variety of colors and is known as a stone of inner strength and growth, enhancing intuition and promoting inspiration, success and good fortune. Referred to as the “color-changing gem” because its color changes according to the lighting, alexandrite is said to inspire creativity and the imagination while strengthening intuition. Learn more about the pearl Open in new window and alexandrite Open in new window birthstones for June.
July Birthstone
Ruby is the official birthstone for July and represents courage, wisdom, love and passion. Rubies signify life and blood and are believed to increase courage. The ruby is one of the most valuable and historically significant of the colored gemstones. The beautiful, bright red color of the ruby is its most important feature. Learn more about the ruby birthstone for July. Open in new window
August Birthstone
Peridot Open in new window and spinel Open in new window are the official birthstones for August. Peridot features a bold, lime green color while spinel is available in a range of colors. Peridot symbolizes strength and is believed to instill power and influence in its wearer. Spinel is a stone of hope, revitalization and joy and is thought to protect the wearer from harm. Learn more about the peridot birthstone Open in new window for August.
September Birthstone
Sapphire is the official birthstone for September and represents honesty, loyalty, purity and trust. Sapphire jewels are most commonly associated with a rich blue hue, but they are available in a rainbow of colors, including pink Open in new window. Learn more about the sapphire birthstone for September. Open in new window
October Birthstone
Those born in October have two official birthstones to choose from: tourmaline Open in new window and opal Open in new window. Tourmaline is said to be a stone of reconciliation, fostering calmness and compassion, while opal symbolizes confidence, reliability and faithfulness. Tourmaline gemstones are available in a wide variety of beautiful colors with the most common being a shade of pink. Opal gemstones have the unique ability to display several colors in one gem, creating a one-of-a-kind color combination. Learn more about the tourmaline Open in new windowand opal Open in new windowbirthstones for October.
November Birthstone
Topaz Open in new window and citrine Open in new window are the official birthstones for November. Topaz jewels come in a range of colors, including yellow, blue, green, grey and more. In the past, the golden topaz gemstone has been associated with the sun god, giving it the power to heal and protect. Ranging in color from yellow to brownish-orange, citrine gemstones are known as the merchant’s stone and signify success and prosperity. Learn more about the citrine birthstone for November. Open in new window
December Birthstone
Those born during December have multiple birthstones to choose from: blue topaz Open in new window, tanzanite, Open in new window zircon and turquoise Open in new window. The blue topaz birthstone is believed to ensure long life, beauty and intelligence. Tanzanite has a vibrant, velvety blue color with overtones of purple and is said to be a stone of judgment and long life, promoting wisdom, dignity, truth and spiritual mastery. While zircon is available in an array of colors, blue zircon is the most common and helps to clear the mind, remove stress and restore purity. Lastly, turquoise is a symbol of friendship and promotes self-realization and creative problem-solving.
Birthstone jewelry is a wonderful way to commemorate your birth month and also makes a thoughtful gift for family members and friends of all ages. Whether it be a simple necklace or a statement pair of earrings, there is a birthstone accessory available to suit every taste. The rich, bold colors of the gemstones themselves paired with the deep symbolism behind each birthstone make for a meaningful and welcome addition to any jewelry collection.
