Birthstones - Ageless Heirlooms

The National Association of Jewelers put together the modern list of birthstones in 1912.

Birthstones by Month

January

Garnet

Garnet is a romantic stone that comes in a rainbow of colors.

February

Amethyst

Amethyst was once said to help reduce drunkenness.

March

Aquamarine

This pale blue gemstone gets its name from the Latin term for water and sea, ‘aqua’ and ‘marina.’

April

Diamond

Diamond is the hardest gemstone on the market with a Mohs Scale rank of 10.

May

Emerald

Most emeralds have natural inclusions that look like small fractures.

June

Alexandrite

Natural alexandrite gemstones have color changing abilities. Pearl is the alternate stone for June.

July

Ruby

Ruby has the same chemical composition as sapphire.

August

Peridot

Peridot is a historical gemstone that used to be more widely known as Olivine.

September

Sapphire

Sapphire is a durable gemstone that makes a great alternative engagement ring.

October

Opal

Some people believe that opal is bad luck. However, this myth has been debunked.

November

Topaz

Both golden citrine and yellow topaz are the birthstones for the month of November.

December

Turquoise

Turquoise is the traditional birthstone for December, but Tanzanite and Blue Topaz have been since added.

Birthstone Chart

Month	Primary	Alternative	Zodiac	Primary
January	Garnet		Aquarius	Garnet
February	Amethyst		Pisces	Amethyst
March	Aquamarine		Aries	Bloodstone
April	Diamond		Taurus	Sapphire
May	Emerald		Gemini	Agate
June	Alexandrite	Pearl, Moonstone	Cancer	Emerald
July	Ruby		Leo	Onyx
August	Peridot		Virgo	Carnelian
September	Sapphire		Scorpio	Beryl
November	Yellow Topaz	Citrine	Sagittarius	Citrine
December	Turquoise	Blue Topaz, Tanzanite	Capricorn	Ruby

Birthstone History

Birthstones have been around in some fashion for over a thousand years. The orgins of giving each month a gemstone originates in Judiasm and Christianity.

The beginning of birthstones how we know them today developed somewhere between the 14th and 18th centuries. It wasn’t until 1912 that the list became standardized.