Birthstone by Month Finder

Find the modern and traditional birthstones for any month or birth date, with each gem's color, Mohs hardness and everyday-wear durability.

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Where the modern birthstone list comes from

The list most U.S. jewelers use traces back to 1912, when the National Association of Jewelers (now Jewelers of America) standardized one set of stones so buyers and sellers used the same chart. The American Gem Society and Jewelers of America have updated it only a few times since: tanzanite was added for December in 2002, and spinel was added for August in 2016.

  • Months with one stone: January garnet, February amethyst, April diamond, May emerald, July ruby and September sapphire.
  • Months with several: March (aquamarine, bloodstone), June (pearl, moonstone, alexandrite), August (peridot, spinel, sardonyx), October (opal, tourmaline), November (topaz, citrine) and December (tanzanite, zircon, turquoise).
  • Traditional list: older charts give a single stone per month, such as bloodstone for March and sardonyx for August.

Why several months have more than one stone

Extra stones were usually added to give a more affordable or more available choice. June's pearl is organic and soft, so moonstone and color-changing alexandrite give harder options. Citrine sits next to topaz in November because golden topaz became expensive and hard to source, and December gained tanzanite and zircon alongside turquoise. There is no rule that one stone is more correct than another; choose by color, budget and how the piece will be worn.

If your birth date is given, the finder uses only its month. Birthstones do not change on the zodiac boundaries some astrological charts use, which is a separate tradition.

Hardness and everyday wear

The Mohs scale ranks resistance to scratching from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond). Household dust contains quartz, which is about 7, so gems below 7 slowly dull on surfaces that get knocked and rubbed. Hardness is not toughness: diamond is 10 yet can chip along cleavage planes, while jade is softer but very tough.

  • 8 and above (diamond 10, ruby and sapphire 9, alexandrite 8.5, topaz and spinel 8): suited to everyday rings.
  • 7 to 8 (amethyst, citrine, emerald, aquamarine, garnet, tourmaline): fine for daily wear with care; emerald is often fracture-filled and dislikes ultrasonic cleaners.
  • Below 7 (opal 5.5–6.5, turquoise 5–6, tanzanite about 6–7, pearl 2.5–4.5): better for earrings and pendants, or rings worn occasionally.

Buying tips

  • Ask what the stone is. Natural, lab-grown and simulated stones can look alike; lab-grown rubies, sapphires, spinel and emeralds have the same chemistry as natural ones at lower prices, while simulants such as glass only imitate the look.
  • Ask about treatments. Heat, oiling, dyeing and filling are common and affect care and value; reputable sellers disclose them under FTC Jewelry Guides.
  • Match the setting to the gem. Protective bezel settings suit softer stones like opal and pearl.
  • Clean gently. Warm soapy water and a soft brush are safe for most birthstones; avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaning for pearls, opal, turquoise, emerald and tanzanite.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Birthstone by Month Finder

Choose your birth month. January is garnet, February amethyst, March aquamarine or bloodstone, April diamond, May emerald, June pearl, moonstone or alexandrite, July ruby, August peridot, spinel or sardonyx, September sapphire, October opal or tourmaline, November topaz or citrine, and December tanzanite, zircon or turquoise.

Sources & References

Birthstones by Month

Modern birthstone list by month, including 2016 spinel and 2002 tanzanite additions.
→Source: American Gem Society

Birthstones

Gem descriptions, colors, hardness and care guidance for each month's stone.
→Source: GIA (Gemological Institute of America)

16 CFR Part 23: Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries

Disclosure rules for lab-grown, simulated and treated gemstones.
→Source: U.S. Federal Trade Commission (eCFR)

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