For centuries, birthstones have carried personal and cultural meaning. Whether you’re looking for a gift or a piece that reflects your identity, understanding how birthstones are chosen can help you find one that feels like a perfect fit.
The idea of matching a stone to each month isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. Over time, the official birthstone chart has shifted. What started as a traditional list rooted in ancient beliefs eventually made room for modern preferences. Today, some months have more than one official stone. You’ll also find alternatives based on zodiac signs and even the Chinese zodiac calendar.
This guide walks through the modern and traditional birthstone charts, explains why some months have multiple stones, and explores what to do if your birthstone isn’t your favorite. We’ll also answer a common question about the most valuable birthstone and touch on the deeper origin of birthstones themselves.
The Modern Birthstone Chart: Month by Month
January: Garnet
This deep red stone symbolizes protection and strength. While red garnet is the most popular, it actually comes in a rainbow of colors.
February: Amethyst
Amethyst is a purple quartz known for its calming energy. Once as valuable as rubies and sapphires, it became more accessible after large deposits were found in Brazil.
March: Aquamarine
Soft blue and serene, aquamarine evokes the sea. It’s the March birthstone most people recognize today, though it shares history with bloodstone. Looking for a March and November birthstone ring? Aquamarine pairs beautifully with citrine.
April: Diamond
April babies get the classic diamond, loved for its brilliance and durability. Though it’s popular, it’s not actually the most valuable birthstone. We’ll get to that in a minute.
May: Emerald
Lush green emeralds represent rebirth and love. Their rich color and natural inclusions (called “jardin”) make each one unique.
June: Pearl, Alexandrite, or Moonstone
Here’s where the chart starts to expand. June has three official stones:
- Pearl: Organic and timeless
- Alexandrite: A rare color-changing gem, green by day, red by candlelight
- Moonstone: Shimmering with soft light, it’s a mystical favorite
Fun fact: Alexandrite is often cited as the most valuable birthstone, due to its extreme rarity and dramatic color shift.
July: Ruby
Rubies symbolize passion and courage. Their vivid red hue has made them prized for centuries.
August: Peridot
Bright green peridot is the modern stone, but it’s not the only option. If you’re looking for an August birthstone alternative, consider Spinel, added to some official birthstone lists in 2016 (more about that later!).
September: Sapphire
Though most think of sapphires as deep blue, they come in nearly every color except red. These stones are symbols of wisdom and loyalty.
October: Opal or Tourmaline
October babies get two:
- Opal: Full of fiery flashes in every color
- Tourmaline: Found in a wide range of hues, from neon pink to deep green
November: Yellow Topaz or Citrine
Both stones glow with golden warmth. If you’re shopping for a March and November birthstone ring, citrine adds a cozy complement to aquamarine.
December: Turquoise, Tanzanite, or Blue Topaz
December’s shades range from robin’s egg blue (turquoise) to the rich violet-blue of tanzanite. Blue topaz is another popular pick, perfect for wintry styles.
The Traditional Birthstone Chart
Before the modern chart became popular in the early 1900s, this was the widely accepted list of birthstones:
- January: Garnet
- February: Amethyst
- March: Bloodstone
- April: Diamond
- May: Emerald
- June: Pearl or Moonstone
- July: Ruby
- August: Sardonyx
- September: Sapphire
- October: Opal
- November: Topaz
- December: Turquoise
Bloodstone, sardonyx, and topaz were once the only gems for their months. Many of today’s modern options were added for color variety or to offer alternatives that are easier to source. What is bloodstone anyway? Well, it gets its name because it looks like a dark green rock speckled with bright red blood spatter… so March babies, consider yourselves lucky you get the gorgeous aquamarine now. And what’s a sardonyx? A brown and orange striped onyx, of course. So the next time August babies are complaining about how you don’t love the lime green of peridot, just remember, it’s actually an upgrade.
Is Spinel A Birthstone For August?
Spinel was officially added as an August birthstone in July 2016 by the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) and Jewelers of America (JA). Why was spinel made an August birthstone? Because while we love the beautiful color of peridot, lime green isn’t for everyone, understandably. Spinel, on the other hand, is a gorgeous and underappreciated gemstone that’s actually been a royal favorite for centuries (link). It has been added by popular demand to round out August’s birthstone options.
Why Do Some Months Have Multiple Birthstones?
If you’ve ever wondered why June, October, November, and December come with extra choices, the reason is mostly practical.
As the Gemological Institute of America explains:
“Why do some months have more than one birthstone? Different traditions are often cited, but the most significant reason is that some gemstones are too rare and expensive to be attainable for a majority of people, and others just aren’t that popular.”
— GIA
In other words, some stones were added to give more people access to beautiful options without compromising on meaning or quality.
Origin of Birthstones
The idea of birthstones is ancient. The earliest known reference appears in the Book of Exodus, where the breastplate of Aaron is described as having twelve stones representing the tribes of Israel. Over time, religious scholars and astrologers connected these twelve gems to the zodiac and eventually to the twelve months of the calendar.
By the 18th century, the practice of wearing a stone tied to your birth month had become widespread across Europe. The official birthstone chart we know today is a blend of these ancient beliefs and modern market decisions.
What Alternative Birthstones Are Based on the Signs of the Zodiac?
If your birthday sits on the edge of a month or you’re deep into astrology, you might prefer your zodiac birthstone instead. These stones align with the sun signs, not the calendar months.
| Zodiac Sign | Dates | Gem |
|---|---|---|
| Aquarius | January 21 to February 18 | Garnet |
| Pisces | February 19 to March 20 | Amethyst |
| Aries | March 21 to April 20 | Bloodstone |
| Taurus | April 21 to May 20 | Sapphire |
| Gemini | May 21 to June 21 | Agate |
| Cancer | June 22 to July 22 | Emerald |
| Leo | July 23 to August 23 | Onyx |
| Virgo | August 24 to September 22 | Carnelian |
| Libra | September 23 to October 23 | Chrysolite |
| Scorpio | October 24 to November 22 | Beryl |
| Sagittarius | November 23 to December 22 | Topaz |
| Capricorn | December 23 to January 20 | Ruby |
So if you’re a Taurus and never quite clicked with emerald, maybe sapphire is more your style.
Chinese Zodiac Birthstones: Another Gemstone Path
Another alternative? Your Chinese zodiac birthstone.
Unlike Western astrology, which is monthly, the Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle. Each sign represents a full birth year, and each is linked to a lucky gemstone.
| Chinese Zodiac | Years (sample range) | Stone |
|---|---|---|
| Rat | 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 | Garnet |
| Ox | 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 | Aquamarine |
| Tiger | 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 | Sapphire |
| Rabbit | 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 | Pearl |
| Dragon | 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 | Amethyst |
| Snake | 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 | Opal |
| Horse | 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 | Topaz |
| Goat | 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 | Emerald |
| Monkey | 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 | Peridot |
| Rooster | 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 | Citrine |
| Dog | 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 | Diamond |
| Pig | 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019 | Ruby |
It’s important to note that those born in January or February, depending on when the Chinese New Year fell on the year they were born, may fall into the Zodiac year before the one listed. For example, if you were born on January 2, 1983, you would be a Dog, not a Pig.
Choosing the Right Stone
Whether you go with a modern favorite, a traditional classic, or something tied to your zodiac sign, the best birthstone is the one that resonates with you.
At Secrete Fine Jewelry, we offer custom-crafted pieces for every style and every stone.
👉 View our gallery to find the one that fits you best.
