Birthstones
Birthstones have been used for centuries as a way to give good luck on ones’ birthday. Our birthstone chart below lets you identify the right stone for yourself or a loved one. Click on the links in the left-hand column for more detailed information about each month’s birthstones.
| January Birthstone | Garnet |
| February Birthstone | Amethyst |
| March Birthstone | Aquamarine |
| April Birthstone | Diamond |
| May Birthstone | Emerald |
| June Birthstone | Alexandrite |
| July Birthstone | Ruby |
| August Birthstone | Spinel |
| September Birthstone | Sapphire |
| October Birthstone | Tourmaline |
| November Birthstone | Topaz |
| December Birthstone | Tanzanite |
JANUARY BIRTHSTONE
Modern Birthstone – Garnet
Traditional Birthstone – Rose Quartz
January Birthstone Meaning
Garnets symbolise love, friendship and protection, as well as being associated with the heart, passion, and lifeforce. Wearing garnet jewellery is said to shield the wearer from bad karma and stoke inner fire.
Garnets are a group of silicate minerals which have been used in jewellery and as abrasives since the Bronze Age.
Garnets are usually associated with the colour red – their name even comes from the Middle English “gernet” which means “dark red” – but they can be found in every colour of the rainbow and can even come in rare colour-shifting varieties.
Some of the most popular varieties include the tsavorite garnet (green) rhodolite garnet (pink to purple) almandine garnet (orange to red) and malaia garnet (peach pink to champagne).
This gemstone has a hardness of around 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which means it is somewhat durable and a good choice for pendants, earrings, and dress rings.
FEBRUARY BIRTHSTONE
Modern Birthstone – Amethyst
Traditional Birthstone – Onyx
February Birthstone Meaning
Amethysts symbolise spirituality, wisdom, and mental clarity, and are often associated with royalty. Wearing amethyst jewellery is said to offer the wearer protection, healing, and purification from spiritual ills.
Amethyst is a violet-coloured variety of the silicate mineral quartz, which is often admired for being just as beautiful in its natural geode forms as it is faceted.
Amethyst is inexpensive and widely available, which means it can be commonly found in all its form across many different kinds of jewellery.
This gemstone is quite soft at only a 6 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes it more appropriate for pendants or earrings than rings, as it should be worn with care to avoid wear and tear.
MARCH BIRTHSTONE
Modern Birthstone – Aquamarine
Traditional Birthstone – Bloodstone
March Birthstone Meaning
Aquamarines are closely associated with the tranquillity of a calm sea, symbolising serenity, clarity, and hope. Rumoured to have come from the treasure chests of mermaids, sailors wore aquamarines to protect them from danger on each journey across the waves.
Aquamarine is a blue variety of the mineral beryl (the same kind as emerald). Its name translates to “water of the sea” in Latin; it has been closely associated with its namesake through folklore and superstition through time immemorial.
This gemstone is both durable (being around an 8 on the Mohs hardness scale) and often quite affordable, which makes it an excellent choice for jewellery.
Aquamarines come in a range of pretty pastel shades, from light minty green to pale sky blue, and are also traditionally used to celebrate the 19th anniversary of a marriage.
Can I Set an Aquamarine into an Engagement Ring?
Aquamarines are not as durable as diamond or sapphire. In saying that, they do have a rating of 7.5 – 8 on the Moh’s hardness scale, still making them a fairly durable stone. Depending on the aquamarine you choose, it may not be ideal for an engagement ring. Your jeweller will be able to determine if a stone is right for your engagement ring.
The most attractive thing about the aquamarine is its affordability next to a diamond or even a sapphire. Aquamarines are stunning and will certainly not disappoint. Larsen Jewellery can source a range of beautiful aquamarines for you to choose from. We can help you come up with a unique custom-made piece for you or your loved one.
APRIL BIRTHSTONE
Modern Birthstone – Diamond
Traditional Birthstone – Sapphire
April Birthstone Meaning
The most cherished of all gemstones, diamonds symbolise purity, perfection, strength, victory, and love. Often associated with the commitment and eternal beauty of strong relationships, diamonds are commonly worn in engagement rings, representing the lifelong promise of marriage.
Diamonds are one of the most sought-after and durable gemstones on earth. With a hardness of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, this gemstone is unmatched in its suitability for all kinds of jewellery.
While white diamonds are the most popular, this stone comes in a range of shades from champagne to yellow, to deep brown and black, to pink, blue, and green.
Diamond’s popularity means that jewellery featuring this stone is available across all budgets, particularly with the invention of lab-grown diamonds.
MAY BIRTHSTONE
Modern Birthstone – Emerald
Traditional Birthstone – Chrysoprase
May Birthstone Meaning
Emeralds symbolise renewal, good health, and growth, and have been associated with prosperity throughout history. Favoured by Cleopatra, emerald jewellery is said to open the wearer to deeper connections, vitality, abundance, and new beginnings.
Also from beryl family, emerald has been a highly desired gemstone for many hundreds of years. Emeralds come in a fantastic variety of green shades, from sea foam to deep viridian.
While emeralds are reasonably hard at a 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, they often contain eye-visible inclusions which can make them prone to brittleness. The less inclusions in an emerald, the higher the value of the stone.
When choosing emerald jewellery, it is best to stick to designs which feature an emerald cut shape (which closely follows the structure of the natural crystal) or use bezels to protect the edges of the gemstone from chipping.
Will I Find an Emerald Within my Budget?
Whether you have $1,000 or $100,000 to spend, it should be possible to find an emerald to suit your budget. A small emerald set into a yellow gold ring is a beautiful, classic and affordable choice for an emerald engagement ring.
JUNE BIRTHSTONE
Modern Birthstone – Alexandrite
Traditional Birthstone – Pearl
June Birthstone Meaning
The legendary colour-shifting gemstone alexandrite symbolises harmony, transformation, and hidden strength. Alexandrite jewellery is said to offer the wearer greater empathy and inner fortitude, as well as the ability to overcome challenges through balance and adaptability.
If you are born in June, you really have two primary birthstones, alexandrite and pearl.
A rare and mysterious gemstone, alexandrite is a variety of chrysoberyl that is strongly pleochroic, which means it can change colour depending on the lighting, from green or blue in daylight or fluorescent light, to purple, orange, or red in incandescent lamp or candlelight.
With a hardness of 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, alexandrite is quite durable and suitable for use in most jewellery. This stone can be expensive in its natural form as it is very rare, but there are synthetic forms available.
Your Options for Pearl Jewellery
Pearls, interestingly, were one of the first embellishments to be used in jewellery and adornments by various cultures around the world. Why were they one of the first? The answer is that they were much easier to find and they are easy to prepare for jewellery purposes in comparison to other gemstones. The beautiful, desirable lustre of a pearl does not need cutting or polishing like most other gems.
Pearls are the only gemstone that grows in a living sea creature. Oysters create pearls as a natural reaction to detecting a foreign substance in their shell. Since the 1900s in Asia, pearls have been grown by inserting a nucleus into a living oyster. Over time, the oyster would coat the nucleus with layers of nacre, and a pearl would form in the exact same way a naturally occurring pearl would. Nowadays, the farming of cultured pearls is a large industry, especially in Australia and throughout Asia.
Like all gemstones, pearls are also believed to have metaphysical powers. In Ancient Chinese culture, it is believed that wearing pearls will protect the wearer from fire and dragons. Other cultures wore pearls as mourning jewellery as they were said to represent small tears.
No matter what your style is, there is a pearl to suit everyone. Select from natural, cultured, freshwater, saltwater or a stunning dark Tahitian pearl. Available in a range of colours, each one being completely unique, pearls truly make a perfect gift for your loved one. Whether in a ring, a pendant, earrings or something more extravagant, your options are endless and you will be sure to make your loved one happy!
Are Pearls Easy to Look After?
Yes! Keep the beautiful lustre of your pearls by avoiding any contact with harsh chemicals or cosmetics. Make sure your pearls are the last item that you put on and the first item you take off. Washing with mineral or distilled water and polishing with a soft cloth is the best way to clean pearls.
JULY BIRTHSTONE
Modern Birthstone – Ruby
Traditional Birthstone – Carnelian
July Birthstone Meaning
The fiery ruby is a symbol of passion, courage and undying devotion which has been hailed for millennia as a stone of wealth and influence. Featured among the jewels of royalty the world over, rubies are said to shield the wearer from harm, while showing their strength of heart and inner power.
Rubies are a highly sought-after colour variety of corundum (the same mineral as sapphires) which come in a range of deep reds and pinks. They have a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, which makes them very durable, although they can quickly become expensive.
The beautiful red tones of rubies have captivated cultures all over the world for centuries, with the stone often appearing in folklore. For example, the Sanskrit word for ruby, “ratnaraj” denotes it as the “king of gemstones” due to its value as a powerful spiritual talisman, and ancient Chinese legends associated the stone with dragons.
AUGUST BIRTHSTONE
Modern Birthstone – Spinel
Traditional Birthstone – Peridot
August Birthstone Meaning
Vibrant but often forgotten, spinels represent vitality, harmony, and strength. Traditionally associated with spiritual healing and chakra alignment, spinels are said to allow the wearer to channel the spirit of the earth and connect with their inner compassion.
Underrated gemstone spinel comes in range of rich colours, from deep black to reds, steely greys, purples, and blues. Spinels have a hardness of 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes them reasonably durable and suitable for most jewellery.
Some of the most famous gemstones in history are spinels, such as the Hope Spinel and the Samarian Spinel. Other famous spinels are so rich in colour that they have been misidentified in the past as rubies, such as the Black Prince’s Ruby and the Timur Ruby in the British Crown Jewels.
SEPTEMBER BIRTHSTONE
Modern Birthstone – Sapphire
Traditional Birthstone – Lapis
September Birthstone Meaning
Associated with truthfulness and faithfulness, sapphires are linked to spiritual enlightenment and symbolised heaven in ancient times. Wearing sapphires is said to clear the mind, enhance meditation, and bring blessings to the wearer.
Consisting of the mineral corundum (the same as rubies) sapphires are one of the most popular gemstones available and are a durable 9 on the Mohs hardness scale. A very versatile stone, sapphires can be found in jewellery in just about every corner of the world.
While they are often thought of as being blue, sapphires come in just about every colour of the rainbow from green to yellow, orange to pink, purple and even white.
OCTOBER BIRTHSTONE
Modern Birthstone – Tourmaline (particularly Pink Tourmaline)
Traditional Birthstone – Opal
October Birthstone Meaning
It is said that tourmaline gained its many colours by falling to the earth through rainbows. Tourmaline jewellery is considered powerful talisman of grounding and is believed to empower the wearer to transform negative energies into positives ones.
Tourmaline is a versatile gemstone known for coming in a multitude of colours, from dark red (Rubellite) to neon blue (Paraiba) to teal (indicolite), oranges, yellows, purples, and even bicolour varieties such as watermelon (pink, white, and green). Although all tourmaline shades are acceptable, pink tourmaline in particular is considered the modern birthstone for October.
This gemstone has a hardness of around 7.5 on the Mohs scale, which means it is a little softer than other stones and is best used in earrings or pendants.
NOVEMBER BIRTHSTONE
Modern Birthstone – Topaz
Traditional Birthstone – Citrine
November Birthstone Meaning
Once thought to contain the essence of the sun god Ra, topaz is associated with bright love, healing, and mental clarity. Wearing topaz jewellery is said to bring strength, protection, and success.
Topaz is also a silicate mineral, made of aluminum and fluorine, which occurs naturally all over the world. While it is usually thought of as being an orange-yellow, honey coloured stone, topaz is commonly found in a range of shades, from white, to peach, to blue.
With a hardness on the Mohs scale of around 8, topaz is relatively durable. It is suitable for a range of pendants, earrings and dress rings, as well as being reasonably affordable.
DECEMBER BIRTHSTONE
Modern Birthstone – Tanzanite
Traditional Birthstone – Turquoise
December Birthstone Meaning
Tanzanite is often recommended to promote one’s spiritual connection. It is said to open the heart and mind to deeper meditation and psychic power.
If you are born in December, you have a selection of stunning birthstones. Traditionally, the birthstone of December is Turquoise but over the years other gemstones have moved in. In 2002, December’s birthstone became Tanzanite. Turquoise became secondary along with Topaz Zircon and Lapis Lazuli.
Tanzanite is one of the more recent gemstone discoveries, with the first recorded discovery in 1954. As the name suggests, Tanzanite comes from Tanzania.
Tanzanite is highly desirable due to its beautiful deep violet colour. Good quality tanzanite displays colours ranging from vivid blues to rich purples. Interestingly, Tanzanite looks bluer under natural light and more purple under artificial light. It is important to note that nearly all Tanzanites receive heat treatment to enhance the violet-blue colour that makes them so desirable.
Many believe the colour of tanzanite brings the wearer good fortune and success. Linking the heart and mind, allowing the wearer to live a more compassionate life. Tanzanite strengthens the wearer’s immune system promoting a positive and healthy life. When you consider the natural beauty, Tanzanite is truly a special gemstone. Add to that the belief that it will bless the wearer with good fortune, it’s a fabulous gemstone to set into a custom made piece of jewellery for your loved one.
How to Design Birthstone Jewellery
if you’re looking for gift ideas, consider a beautiful piece of birthstone jewellery, it’s one of the most beautiful and sentimental gifts you can give. Each month has a respective birthstone and every gemstone holds special energetic qualities; many promote good health, prosperous lives, balance and positive energy. Whether you believe in the energetic qualities a gemstone holds or not, there is no denying that a piece of custom made gemstone jewellery is a thoughtful gift that will be cherished for years to come.
At Larsen Jewellery, we can source birthstones such as aquamarines, rubies, sapphires and more. We can then help you create a beautifully designed, meaningful piece of jewellery. The chosen gemstone will determine which type of jewellery is most suitable. Some gemstones, such as sapphires, are a more suitable choice for rings, whereas others with a lesser hardness may be more suitable in earrings or pendants.
Ask your jeweller to advise you as to whether a specific gemstone can be set into a certain design. What to be mindful of when choosing gemstones for rings is whether they will hold up to everyday knocks and bumps. A beautiful dress ring worn on special occasions is an example of the perfect piece to include a fabulous, vibrant gemstone with a lesser hardness.
Creating a piece of birthstone jewellery is an opportunity to let your creative juices and your imagination run free. If you could have a piece of birthstone jewellery made for you, what would you choose?
What Months Have Two Birthstones?
Every month has at least two birthstones. In this post, we have listed the two most widely recognized gemstones for each month but there are many more.
Are There Two Birthstones for Each Month?
There are several birthstones for each month. By the time you factor in astrological birthstones and Hindu tradition, you can pretty much choose your favourite from a long list of possible options!
Is Birthstone by Month or Zodiac?
There are actually both! This article covers just the modern and traditional birthstones but there are astrological birthstones for each star sign too.
Who Invented Birthstones?
It is impossible to know who first came up with the idea of having a gemstone represent each birth month. It dates back centuries in many different cultures.
In 1912, the National Association of Jewelers in America met to officially standardise the list of birthstones. Since then, several amendments and additions have been made.
