For centuries, humanity has shared a profound connection with the treasures of the Earth, a connection deeply felt in the tradition of birthstones by month. The belief that a specific gemstone corresponds to one’s birth month, offering protection, fortune, and a unique personal identity, is a practice spanning cultures and generations. These gems are frequently found in jewelry—rings, pendants, bracelets, and earrings—serving as reminders to celebrate one’s birth month throughout the year. The practice of wearing birthstones is thought to bring good luck, good health, and protection. While each month is traditionally associated with one birthstone, multiple options exist for some, created to provide more affordable choices alongside the more expensive, traditional stones. These gemstones carry unique attributes and lore.
The origins of birthstones can be traced back to the Breastplate of Aaron, described in the Book of Exodus, which contained twelve stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. In the first century A.D., the Jewish historian Josephus connected these stones to the twelve zodiac signs. However, the association of birthstones with specific birth months gained widespread recognition in the 18th century. The modern list of birthstones, as it is largely known today, was created in 1912 by the National Association of Jewelers and has remained largely unchanged since, though additions and modifications have occurred over time. Currently, three sets of birthstones are recognized: ancient, traditional, and modern.
January: The Resilient Garnet
The garnet is the birthstone for January. Typically, garnets are seen in shades of red, often with a brownish tinge, though they can also appear in various colors including purple, pink, green, yellow, orange, and even black or clear. Garnets are associated with traits such as love, loyalty, purity, balance, strength, and strong feelings. The name “Garnet” itself means Pomegranate, reflecting the stone’s common red hue.
February: The Royal Amethyst
February’s birthstone is the amethyst, a gem known for its violet color. It symbolizes temperance and deep love. Both the modern and ancient lists recognize amethyst as the February birthstone.
March: The Serene Aquamarine
Aquamarine is the modern birthstone for March, displaying a pale blue or dark green color. Traditionally, bloodstone was associated with this month, representing happiness and tranquility.
April: The Invincible Diamond
April is uniquely represented by the diamond, a clear and enduring gemstone symbolizing enduring love. Both the traditional and modern lists recognize the diamond as the April birthstone.
May: The Rejuvenating Emerald
The vibrant green emerald is the birthstone for May, representing joy and vitality. Like the diamond, the emerald holds its place on both the traditional and modern birthstone lists.
June: Pearl, Alexandrite & Moonstone
June boasts three birthstones: Alexandrite, pearl, and moonstone. Pearls are iridescent and white, symbolizing purity and sincerity. Alexandrite is a color-changing gem.
July: The Passionate Ruby
The bold red ruby is the birthstone for July, embodying passionate love. The ruby is consistently recognized as the July birthstone across both traditional and modern lists.
August: Peridot & Spinel
August is represented by peridot and spinel. Peridot is a light green stone associated with creative expression. In 2016, spinel was added as a modern birthstone for August, alongside the traditional sardonyx.
September: The Celestial Sapphire
The deep blue sapphire is the birthstone for September, symbolizing wisdom and loyalty. Sapphire consistently appears on both the traditional and modern lists.
October: Opal & Tourmaline
October offers two birthstones: opal and tourmaline. Opal displays a play of color, while tourmaline comes in shades of pink. These stones represent gentleness and compassion.
November: Topaz & Citrine
November is represented by topaz and citrine, both displaying orange or golden-brown hues. These stones symbolize self-confidence and kindness. Traditionally, topaz was the sole November birthstone, but citrine has been added as a modern alternative.
December: Blue Zircon, Blue Topaz & Tanzanite
December has three birthstones: blue zircon, blue topaz, and tanzanite. These stones are bright blue, symbolizing peace and calmness. Traditionally, turquoise and lapis lazuli were associated with December, but these have been largely replaced by the blue-toned gems in modern lists. Tanzanite is a relatively new gemstone addition to the December birthstone options.
Modern vs. Traditional Lists
The birthstone landscape has evolved over time, with the addition of more relevant and modern gems to the list. The American Gem Trade Association and the National Association of Jewelers added spinel as a new birthstone for August in 2016. In 1952, Alexandrite was added for June, and pink tourmaline was added for October. December’s lapis was replaced with blue zircon, and the primary gems for March were also changed. Today, jewelers and individuals often draw from both the traditional and modern lists, selecting the stones that appeal to them most. The availability and cost of gemstones also play a role, with some traditional stones being more readily available or affordable than their modern counterparts.
The Historical Context of Birthstones
The concept of associating gemstones with specific months or zodiac signs has a rich history. The earliest roots can be found in the biblical Breastplate of Aaron, which featured twelve stones representing the tribes of Israel. This connection was later linked to the zodiac by Josephus in the first century A.D. However, the widespread association of birthstones with birth months didn’t emerge until the 18th century. The standardization of birthstone lists occurred in 1912 with the National Association of Jewelers’ creation of a modern list, which continues to be the foundation for most birthstone charts today.