Birthstones are the twelve gemstones traditionally tied to the month you were born — each with its own colour, history and meaning. January is garnet, February amethyst, March aquamarine, April diamond, May emerald, June alexandrite, July ruby, August peridot, September sapphire, October pink tourmaline, November citrine and December blue topaz. This guide gives you the full birthstones by month chart, what each stone symbolises, why a few months have more than one, and how to wear yours as an everyday charm.
What is a birthstone?
A birthstone is a gem associated with a calendar month, worn as a personal talisman or a meaningful piece of jewellery. The idea is ancient — often traced to the twelve stones of the biblical breastplate of Aaron — but the list most jewellers use today was standardised in the early twentieth century and has been gently updated since. That is why you’ll sometimes see a “modern” stone alongside an older “traditional” one for the same month. There is no single authority that makes one right and the other wrong; both are valid, and you can choose on colour, meaning or simply what you find most beautiful.
Birthstones by month: the full chart
Here is every month at a glance — the lead stone we work with at Alya Stone, the traditional alternates, what each is best known for, and a charm to shop. All twelve months now have a full guide live, January through December.
| Month |
Birthstone |
Also known as |
Known for |
Shop |
| January |
Garnet |
— |
Protection, strength |
Garnet charm |
| February |
Amethyst |
— |
Calm, clarity |
Amethyst charm |
| March |
Aquamarine |
Bloodstone |
Serenity, the sea |
Aquamarine charm |
| April |
Diamond |
— |
Love, endurance |
Diamond charm |
| May |
Emerald |
— |
Renewal, growth |
Emerald charm |
| June |
Alexandrite |
Pearl, Moonstone |
Balance, transformation |
Alexandrite charm |
| July |
Ruby |
— |
Passion, protection |
Ruby charm |
| August |
Peridot |
Spinel |
Light, warmth |
Peridot charm |
| September |
Sapphire |
— |
Wisdom, loyalty |
Sapphire charm |
| October |
Pink Tourmaline |
Opal |
Compassion, the heart |
Pink tourmaline charm |
| November |
Citrine |
Topaz |
Optimism, abundance |
Citrine charm |
| December |
London Blue Topaz |
Turquoise, Tanzanite, Zircon |
Calm, clear skies |
Topaz charm |
Browse all of them together in the Birthstones collection. Ready to shop by charm? See every style and price in our birthstone charms by month guide, then learn how to build a charm necklace.
Modern vs traditional birthstones
A few months carry more than one stone, and that is completely normal. June is the best example: its modern birthstone is the rare colour-change alexandrite, while pearl and moonstone are its lovely traditional alternates. October is similar — we lead with pink tourmaline, but opal is its traditional stone. December offers several — we lead with London blue topaz, but turquoise, tanzanite and zircon all belong to the month too. November pairs citrine with topaz. When a month offers a choice, pick the colour you are drawn to, or the meaning that resonates — there is no wrong answer.
How to choose a birthstone
There are three easy ways to choose:
-
By birth month — the classic approach: match the stone to the month, the most personal and gift-friendly option.
-
By colour — if you love a particular shade, let it lead. Deep red garnet and ruby, cool blue aquamarine and sapphire, green emerald and peridot — the palette spans the whole year.
-
By meaning — choose the symbolism you want to carry: protection (garnet, ruby), calm (amethyst, topaz), renewal (emerald), or transformation (alexandrite).
How to wear & gift birthstones
The most wearable way to enjoy a birthstone today is as a charm. Our Curation Suite is built around the idea: choose a chain, then add the charms that mean something to you. One stone becomes a personal everyday piece; several become a family-birthstone necklace, with a charm for each child, partner or parent. Because every birthstone charm is made to order in solid 9k gold, the look stays cohesive however many you collect. New to building one? Read how to build a charm necklace.
All twelve month guides are live now — June alexandrite, July ruby, August peridot, September sapphire, October pink tourmaline, November citrine, December blue topaz, January garnet, February amethyst, March aquamarine, April diamond and May emerald:
Birthstones by month FAQ
What are the birthstones for each month?
January garnet, February amethyst, March aquamarine, April diamond, May emerald, June alexandrite (with pearl and moonstone), July ruby, August peridot, September sapphire, October pink tourmaline, November citrine (with topaz) and December blue topaz (with turquoise, tanzanite and zircon).
Why do some months have more than one birthstone?
Because birthstone lists have evolved over time. Older “traditional” stones sit alongside “modern” ones added in the twentieth century, so months like June, October, November and December offer a choice. All the options are legitimate — pick by colour or meaning.
Are Alya Stone birthstones lab-grown?
Where the stone is a precious gem, yes — we use lab-grown stones such as alexandrite, ruby, emerald, sapphire and diamond, which share the chemistry and beauty of mined gems. Semi-precious stones such as peridot, citrine, blue topaz, garnet and pink tourmaline are natural. Each charm is made to order in solid 9k gold.
What is a good birthstone gift?
A birthstone charm on a Curation Suite chain is one of the most personal gifts you can give — for a birthday, a new baby, or a milestone. Many people build a family necklace over time, adding a charm for each loved one.
Can I wear a birthstone that isn’t my month?
Absolutely. Plenty of people choose a stone for its colour or meaning rather than their birth month, or wear the birthstones of people they love. There are no rules — wear what feels like you.
Birthstones by Month: Meanings, Symbolism & Jewelry
Birthstones are the twelve gemstones traditionally tied to the month you were born — each with its own colour, history and meaning. January is garnet, February amethyst, March aquamarine, April diamond, May emerald, June alexandrite, July ruby, August peridot, September sapphire, October pink tourmaline, November citrine and December blue topaz. This guide gives you the full birthstones by month chart, what each stone symbolises, why a few months have more than one, and how to wear yours as an everyday charm.
What is a birthstone?
A birthstone is a gem associated with a calendar month, worn as a personal talisman or a meaningful piece of jewellery. The idea is ancient — often traced to the twelve stones of the biblical breastplate of Aaron — but the list most jewellers use today was standardised in the early twentieth century and has been gently updated since. That is why you’ll sometimes see a “modern” stone alongside an older “traditional” one for the same month. There is no single authority that makes one right and the other wrong; both are valid, and you can choose on colour, meaning or simply what you find most beautiful.
Birthstones by month: the full chart
Here is every month at a glance — the lead stone we work with at Alya Stone, the traditional alternates, what each is best known for, and a charm to shop. All twelve months now have a full guide live, January through December.
Browse all of them together in the Birthstones collection. Ready to shop by charm? See every style and price in our birthstone charms by month guide, then learn how to build a charm necklace.
Modern vs traditional birthstones
A few months carry more than one stone, and that is completely normal. June is the best example: its modern birthstone is the rare colour-change alexandrite, while pearl and moonstone are its lovely traditional alternates. October is similar — we lead with pink tourmaline, but opal is its traditional stone. December offers several — we lead with London blue topaz, but turquoise, tanzanite and zircon all belong to the month too. November pairs citrine with topaz. When a month offers a choice, pick the colour you are drawn to, or the meaning that resonates — there is no wrong answer.
How to choose a birthstone
There are three easy ways to choose:
How to wear & gift birthstones
The most wearable way to enjoy a birthstone today is as a charm. Our Curation Suite is built around the idea: choose a chain, then add the charms that mean something to you. One stone becomes a personal everyday piece; several become a family-birthstone necklace, with a charm for each child, partner or parent. Because every birthstone charm is made to order in solid 9k gold, the look stays cohesive however many you collect. New to building one? Read how to build a charm necklace.
All twelve month guides are live now — June alexandrite, July ruby, August peridot, September sapphire, October pink tourmaline, November citrine, December blue topaz, January garnet, February amethyst, March aquamarine, April diamond and May emerald:
Birthstones by month FAQ
What are the birthstones for each month?
January garnet, February amethyst, March aquamarine, April diamond, May emerald, June alexandrite (with pearl and moonstone), July ruby, August peridot, September sapphire, October pink tourmaline, November citrine (with topaz) and December blue topaz (with turquoise, tanzanite and zircon).
Why do some months have more than one birthstone?
Because birthstone lists have evolved over time. Older “traditional” stones sit alongside “modern” ones added in the twentieth century, so months like June, October, November and December offer a choice. All the options are legitimate — pick by colour or meaning.
Are Alya Stone birthstones lab-grown?
Where the stone is a precious gem, yes — we use lab-grown stones such as alexandrite, ruby, emerald, sapphire and diamond, which share the chemistry and beauty of mined gems. Semi-precious stones such as peridot, citrine, blue topaz, garnet and pink tourmaline are natural. Each charm is made to order in solid 9k gold.
What is a good birthstone gift?
A birthstone charm on a Curation Suite chain is one of the most personal gifts you can give — for a birthday, a new baby, or a milestone. Many people build a family necklace over time, adding a charm for each loved one.
Can I wear a birthstone that isn’t my month?
Absolutely. Plenty of people choose a stone for its colour or meaning rather than their birth month, or wear the birthstones of people they love. There are no rules — wear what feels like you.