A birthstone turns a piece of jewelry into a personal gift. Here’s the traditional list, plus what to know about each stone’s durability.
What to remember
- The American Gem Society’s traditional chart lists one or more birthstones for every month.
- Six months have more than one option, which gives you a choice of color, durability and budget.
- Softer stones such as pearl, opal and turquoise need more careful wear than diamond, ruby or sapphire.
- Pendants and earrings protect softer stones better than rings, which take more knocks.
Birthstone jewelry is a thoughtful gift for birthdays, new babies and milestones. The stones also come in a wide range of colors and prices, so there’s usually an option to suit any budget.
The traditional birthstone chart
This list follows the American Gem Society’s traditional birthstone chart.
| Month | Birthstones |
|---|---|
| January | Garnet |
| February | Amethyst |
| March | Aquamarine, bloodstone |
| April | Diamond |
| May | Emerald |
| June | Pearl, alexandrite, moonstone |
| July | Ruby |
| August | Peridot, sardonyx, spinel |
| September | Sapphire |
| October | Opal, tourmaline |
| November | Topaz, citrine |
| December | Tanzanite, turquoise, zircon |
Durability matters
Gemstones vary a lot in how well they cope with daily wear. Diamond, ruby and sapphire are hard and durable. Pearl, opal and turquoise are much softer and more sensitive to knocks, chemicals and heat, so they need more care.
Buying tip: For softer birthstones, choose a pendant or a pair of earrings rather than a ring. They’re less exposed to bumps and scrapes.
Choosing the piece
- Pendants: a simple way to show off any stone, and easy to size.
- Stud earrings: subtle, durable and suitable for most ages.
- Stackable rings: popular for families, with one stone for each child.
- Charms: a gift that can grow, with a new charm for each occasion.
Ask about treatments
Many colored gemstones are treated to improve their color or clarity, which can affect how you should clean and care for them. Ask the seller whether a stone has been treated and how, and get it written on the receipt. Our guide to cleaning jewelry at home explains which stones need extra care.
Before you buy: Pearls and opals in particular can be damaged by heat, chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners. Our pearl care guide covers how to look after them.
Make it personal
A birthstone gift feels most personal when it matches the recipient’s style. If they mostly wear silver, choose a stone set in white metal; if they love gold, a warm yellow setting will feel natural.
Common jewelry questions
What if I don’t know the recipient’s birth month?
Choose their favorite color instead, or a classic stone such as a pearl or sapphire that suits most styles.
Are lab-created birthstones real?
Lab-created gemstones can have the same chemical makeup as natural ones, but sellers should clearly disclose them. Ask how a stone was made if the description doesn’t say.
Which birthstones are best for an everyday ring?
Harder stones, such as diamond, ruby and sapphire, cope best with daily wear. Softer stones are better suited to pendants and earrings.