Birthstones have been linked to months of the year for hundreds of years. Many people wear them for beauty, symbolism, and personal meaning. A birthstone chart helps you see which gemstone belongs to each month.

If you have ever asked what a birthstone is or what birthstones mean, this guide explains everything. It covers the birthstones by month, their meanings, and the history behind them.

You will also learn about the modern birthstone chart, the original birthstone chart, and why some months have more than one gemstone.

What Is a Birthstone?

A birthstone is a gemstone linked to a person’s birth month. Each month has one or more gemstones that represent it.

People often wear these stones as jewelry. They wear rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants, or bracelets made with their birth stone.

A birthstone is simply a gemstone connected to the month you were born. The idea is that each birthstone gem carries meaning and symbolism for the person who wears it.

What Do Birthstones Mean?

The meaning of birthstones comes from tradition, culture, and history. For centuries, people believed gemstones carried energy and symbolism. Each stone was linked to qualities such as strength, love, protection, or wisdom.

Because of this belief, the birthstone meaning for each month became important.

For example:

• Garnet is linked with protection and strength

• Amethyst is connected with calmness and clarity

• Emerald symbolizes renewal and growth

• Ruby represents passion and courage

Today, many people still like wearing birthday stones because of these meanings.

Who Came Up With Birthstones?

The idea comes from ancient history. Some historians believe it started with the Breastplate of Aaron, described in the Bible. The breastplate had twelve gemstones representing the twelve tribes of Israel.

Later, scholars connected the twelve stones to the twelve months of the year.

In the early 1900s, jewelers created the official birthstone chart to make the system standard.

In 1912, the American National Association of Jewelers introduced the modern list. Over time, a few stones were added. For example:

• Tanzanite was added for December in 2002

• Spinel was added for August in 2016

This updated list is known as the modern birthstone chart.

Birthstone Chart by Month

The easiest way to understand birthstones for every month is to look at a birthstone chart.

Below is the birthstones by month chart used today.

This birth gemstone chart shows the birthstones for the months used in modern jewelry.

Why Do Some Months Have Multiple Birthstones?

You may notice that some months have more than one stone in the birth stone list.

For example:

• June has three stones

• October birthstones: Opal & Tourmaline

• December has three stones

This happened for several reasons.

Some gemstones were very rare or expensive. Jewelers later added more options so people had choices.

For example:

• June includes pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite

• August includes peridot, spinel, and sardonyx

• December birthstones include turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon

Because of this, the monthly birthstones chart now includes different birthstones for some months.

Birthstones by Month and Their Meanings

Below is a closer look at each month's birthstone and its symbolism.

January Birthstone – Garnet

The January birthstone is garnet.

Garnet is known for its deep red color. It has been used in jewelry since ancient times.

Birthstone meaning

• Strength

• Protection

• Loyalty

Garnet birthstone jewelry is often given as a meaningful birthday gift.

February Birthstone – Amethyst

The February birthstone is amethyst.

This gemstone has a rich purple color and has been popular for centuries.

Birth stone meaning

• Calmness

• Wisdom

• Balance

Amethyst birthstone jewelry is worn to support emotional clarity.

March Birthstone – Aquamarine and Bloodstone

March has two stones in the birthstone gem chart.

The Aquamarine jewelry is made of light blue stone that looks like the color of the sea. Bloodstone is darker green with red spots.

Aquamarine symbolizes:

• Peace

• Courage

• Clarity

Bloodstone represents:

• Strength

• Protection

April Birthstone – Diamond

The April birthstone is diamond. It's the official stone, and there is no alternative birthstone of April. Diamond is known for its brilliance and strength.

Birthstone meaning

• Love

• Strength

• Commitment

Because of this symbolism, diamond gemstone jewelry is widely used for engagement rings

May Birthstone – Emerald

The May birthstone is emerald. Emerald has a rich green color that has fascinated people for centuries.

Birthstone meanings

• Renewal

• Growth

• Prosperity

Emerald birthday jewelry is often linked to nature and new beginnings.

June Birthstones – Pearl, Alexandrite, Moonstone

June has three stones in the birthstone chart and meaning guide.

Pearl is known for its soft glow. Alexandrite changes color under different light. Moonstone jewelry has a glowing, mystical look.

Birthstone symbols

• Purity

• Transformation

• Intuition

Pearl birthstone jewelry makes a unique choice for everyday wear.

July Birthstone – Ruby

The July birthstone is ruby. Ruby is famous for its deep red color.

Birthstone meaning

• Passion

• Courage

• Energy

July’s Ruby gemstone jewelry has long been associated with royalty and power.

August Birthstones – Peridot, Spinel, Sardonyx

The August birthstone options include three gemstones. The Peridot birthstone is bright green. Spinel appears in many colors. Sardonyx has layered patterns.

Birthstone symbols

• Protection

• Confidence

• Strength

These stones offer variety in the birthstone chart.

September Birthstone – Sapphire

The September birthstone is sapphire. Most sapphires are deep blue, though they can appear in other colors.

Meaning of birthstones

• Wisdom

• Truth

• Loyalty

Sapphire gemstone jewelry has been a symbol of royalty and wisdom for centuries.

October Birthstones – Opal and Tourmaline

October has two stones in the birthstone gem chart. Opal birthstone jewelry displays many colors in one stone. Tourmaline jewelry collections come in many shades, including pink and green.

Birthstone meaning

• Creativity

• Hope

• Inspiration

These stones are known for their colorful beauty.

November Birthstones – Topaz and Citrine

The November birthstones include topaz and citrine. Both stones are known for their warm golden tones.

Birthstone meanings

• Joy

• Success

• Energy

The Topaz stone jewelry is linked with positive energy.

December Birthstones – Turquoise, Tanzanite, Zircon

December has three gemstones in the monthly birthstones chart. The Turquoise birthstone is blue-green. Tanzanite is deep violet-blue. Zircon often appears bright blue.

Birthstone meaning

• Protection

• Good fortune

• Wisdom

These stones have been valued in jewelry for centuries.

How to Know Your Birthstone

Many people ask how to know their birthstone. The easiest way is to check the birth month stones chart. Simply match your birth month with the gemstone listed for that month.

For example:

• January – Garnet

• May – Emerald

• September – Sapphire

This makes it easy to identify your birthstone month.

Birthstone Jewelry Ideas

Once you know the stone, you can choose birthstone jewelry for gifting. Popular birthstone jewelry options include:

1. Rings: A ring highlights the gemstone and keeps it visible throughout the day.
2. Earrings: Earrings add subtle color and elegance.
3. Necklaces: A necklace keeps the stone close to the heart.
4. Pendants: Pendants are classic pieces and work well for everyday wear.
5. Bracelets: Bracelets add a gentle touch of color to the wrist.

These styles allow people to celebrate birthstones of each month in personal ways.

FAQs About Birthstones

What are birthstones?

Birthstones are gemstones connected to specific months of the year.

What does a birthstone mean?

Each gemstone carries a symbolic meaning based on tradition and culture.

What are birthstones based on?

Birthstones are based on historical gemstone traditions and modern jewelry standards.

What are the birthstones for each month?

Each month has at least one gemstone linked to it, such as garnet for January and sapphire for September.

What does my birthstone mean?

Your birthstone meaning depends on the qualities associated with that gemstone.