Birthstone Finder: Every Month, Every Tradition, One Reference

Birthstone Lookup Table: All 12 Months

The table below lists every month with its primary modern stone, the traditional alternative, any additional recognized options, a brief meaning note, and a Mohs hardness rating so you know how well the stone wears in jewelry. Hardness below 7 deserves extra care in rings worn daily.

Month	Modern (primary)	Alternatives	Traditional	Mohs	Meaning (traditional)
January	Garnet	—	Garnet	6.5–7.5	Practitioners associate garnet with loyalty, passion, and safe travel.
February	Amethyst	—	Amethyst	7	Amethyst is said to support clarity and calm in stressful periods.
March	Aquamarine	Bloodstone	Bloodstone (traditional)	7.5–8	Aquamarine is traditionally linked to courage at sea and clear communication.
April	Diamond	White Sapphire, Clear Quartz	Diamond	10	Diamond is associated with everlasting commitment and clarity of mind.
May	Emerald	—	Emerald	7.5–8	Emerald is said to invite renewal, abundance, and loyalty in relationships.
June	Pearl	Alexandrite, Moonstone	Pearl, Moonstone	2.5–4.5 (Pearl), 8.5 (Alex)	Pearl is linked to innocence and purity; moonstone to intuition and feminine cycles.
July	Ruby	—	Ruby	9	Ruby is traditionally associated with passion, protection, and vitality.
August	Peridot	Spinel, Sardonyx	Sardonyx	6.5–7 (Peridot), 8 (Spinel)	Peridot is said to dispel negative emotions and invite lightness of spirit.
September	Sapphire	—	Sapphire	9	Sapphire is associated with wisdom, integrity, and faithfulness.
October	Opal	Pink Tourmaline	Tourmaline	5.5–6.5 (Opal), 7–7.5 (Tourmaline)	Opal is traditionally linked to creativity, hope, and emotional truth.
November	Topaz	Citrine	Topaz	8 (Topaz), 7 (Citrine)	Topaz is said to bring love, affection, and clarity. Citrine is linked to abundance.
December	Turquoise	Tanzanite, Zircon, Blue Topaz	Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli	5–6 (Turquoise), 6.5–7.5 (Tanzanite)	Turquoise is one of the oldest protective stones in the archaeological record.

Which List Is Correct?

None of the four major lists is objectively correct. They developed independently from different cultural contexts. The modern American list (maintained by the Jewelers of America) is the default in most US retail settings. The traditional list reflects European and Middle Eastern lapidary practice from the 15th through 19th centuries. Mystical and Ayurvedic lists draw from Indian and Tibetan traditions and often use different stones entirely.

For gift-buying, the modern list is the safest choice because it is what most recipients expect. For personal practice or meaning-based selection, any list is valid within its own context. When in doubt, choose by color, durability, or budget rather than tradition.

How to Choose When a Month Has Multiple Options

Decision guide for multi-stone months

June (Pearl, Alexandrite, Moonstone)

Pearl is fragile (Mohs 2.5–4.5) — avoid rings for daily wear. Alexandrite is the most durable at Mohs 8.5 and is also color-changing, which makes it distinctive but expensive. Moonstone sits in the middle at Mohs 6–6.5 and suits pendants and earrings.

August (Peridot, Spinel, Sardonyx)

Spinel was added to the modern list in 2016 and is the most durable option at Mohs 8. Peridot at Mohs 6.5–7 is the classic choice and widely available. Sardonyx is the traditional pick and the most affordable.

October (Opal, Pink Tourmaline)

Opal is striking but requires care — it can crack in dry conditions. Pink tourmaline is more durable at Mohs 7–7.5 and suits all jewelry types. Both are valid modern birthstones.

November (Topaz, Citrine)

Imperial topaz (orange-gold) is the traditional pick. Blue topaz is the most common retail form. Citrine is the budget-friendly alternative at a fraction of the price with similar visual warmth.

December (Turquoise, Tanzanite, Zircon, Blue Topaz)

Turquoise is the heritage choice. Tanzanite is the luxury modern option and is mined only in Tanzania. Blue topaz and zircon are both affordable and visually similar to tanzanite. Zircon is natural; blue topaz is usually heat-treated.

Durability by Jewelry Type

Birthstones span a wide hardness range, and the right jewelry type depends on that range. Softer stones are better suited to earrings, pendants, and brooches where they are not subject to impact. The guide below applies to stones with a Mohs rating below 7.5.

Softer birthstones: best jewelry type

Pearl (Mohs 2.5–4.5) — June

Earrings, pendants, strands. Not ideal for everyday rings.

Opal (Mohs 5.5–6.5) — October

Pendants and earrings preferred. Protective bezel settings in rings.

Turquoise (Mohs 5–6) — December

Pendants, earrings, cuffs. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and chemicals.

Peridot (Mohs 6.5–7) — August

All types acceptable with care. Avoid harsh cleaners.

Garnet (Mohs 6.5–7.5) — January

All jewelry types. Most garnet varieties are good daily-wear stones.

Budget Guide by Month

Birthstone prices vary enormously. Fine ruby, emerald, alexandrite, and tanzanite are among the most expensive stones per carat. Citrine, garnet, amethyst, and blue topaz are widely available at accessible price points. The table below gives a general orientation for a 1-carat stone in typical retail quality — not investment grade, not commercial grade.

Approximate retail range per carat (set stone, 1ct equivalent)

Garnet (January)

$20–$300 depending on variety; demantoid and tsavorite are premium

Amethyst (February)

$10–$60 for most commercial grades; deep Siberian color commands more

Aquamarine (March)

$100–$600; fine Santa Maria blue is at the top of that range

Diamond (April)

$2,000–$10,000+ depending on the 4 Cs; white sapphire alternative at $300–$1,500

Emerald (May)

$500–$5,000+; heavily included stones are sold below $200

Pearl (June)

$50–$500 for Akoya or freshwater; South Sea pearls are significantly higher

Ruby (July)

$300–$3,000+ for fine untreated; heat-treated stones are more accessible

Peridot (August)

$50–$300; spinel alternative ranges $200–$1,000+

Sapphire (September)

$400–$4,000+; cornflower blue Kashmir and Burmese are highest

Opal (October)

$50–$800 for solid naturals; black opal $1,000+; pink tourmaline $80–$400

Topaz / Citrine (November)

Citrine $20–$80; imperial topaz $200–$1,000; blue topaz $20–$100

Turquoise / Tanzanite (December)

Turquoise $30–$200; tanzanite $300–$1,200; blue topaz $20–$100

Gift Occasions by Birth Month

Birthstones are appropriate for birthdays, milestone anniversaries (the 1st, 10th, 25th, and 50th are particularly associated with gemstone gifts), graduations, and push presents. The stone's durability note matters here: a pearl pendant is a more lasting graduation gift than a pearl ring.

The 12 primary modern birthstones

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear a birthstone that is not my birth month?

Yes. The tradition of wearing only your own birthstone is a retail convention, not a cultural rule. Many people wear stones tied to a partner, a child, or a favorite color. No tradition prohibits it.

What is the difference between a modern and a traditional birthstone?

The modern list was formalized in 1912 by the American National Retail Jewelers Association and revised in 1952, 2002, and 2016. It prioritizes stones that are commercially available in high volume. Traditional lists reflect European lapidary practice and sometimes assign different stones to the same month — March's traditional stone is bloodstone, while the modern choice is aquamarine.

Why does June have three birthstones?

Pearl was the original June stone. Moonstone was added in 1952 as an affordable alternative for markets where pearl was scarce. Alexandrite was added in 2002 to give June a more durable fine-jewelry option. All three are valid under the modern American list.

Is lab-grown gemstone an acceptable birthstone?

Lab-grown stones have the same chemical composition as their natural counterparts. A lab-grown sapphire is physically identical to a mined sapphire. Whether a recipient considers it equivalent is a personal preference, not a gemological question. Lab-grown options are often significantly less expensive at the same visual quality.

What birthstone is best for an everyday ring?

Hardness above Mohs 7.5 is the general threshold for daily-wear rings. Diamond (April), sapphire (September), ruby (July), spinel (August), and alexandrite (June) all clear that bar comfortably. Aquamarine (March) and topaz (November) are also acceptable with protective settings.

What is the rarest birthstone?

Alexandrite (June alternative) is among the rarest commercially available birthstones — natural untreated stones of fine color-change quality command prices comparable to fine ruby and emerald. Tanzanite (December alternative) is geographically constrained to a single mine region and is considered rarer than diamond by volume.

A note on meaning

Meanings associated with birthstones are drawn from folklore, gemological tradition, and cultural history. They are presented here as tradition, not as medical or psychological claims. No stone treats any condition.