Birthstones by month
Every month has its own gem, with its own color, story, and meaning. Find your birthstone below and read what it symbolizes, who it suits, and how to wear it.
How birthstones work
Birthstones pair each month of the year with a gem, a tradition that reaches back through Biblical, Hindu, and medieval European lore before the modern list was set by American jewelers in 1912. Over time, a few months picked up extra stones, which is why June has pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite, and December offers turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon.
People wear their birthstone for all sorts of reasons: as a personal talisman, a nod to their birth month, or simply because they love the color. Each stone carries its own gentle symbolism, garnet with warmth and loyalty, sapphire with wisdom, emerald with renewal, so a birthstone becomes a small, wearable piece of meaning.
Curious what else your birth month says about you? Read your zodiac sign, explore what colors mean, or calculate your Life Path number.
Frequently asked questions
›What is a birthstone?
A birthstone is a gem tied to the month you were born, each one carrying its own color, history, and symbolism. The modern list most Americans use was standardized in 1912 by the jewelry industry and lightly updated since, so a few months have more than one accepted stone.
›How do I find my birthstone?
Just match your birth month to its stone: January is garnet, February amethyst, and so on down the list on this page. A handful of months, like June, August, and December, have two or three traditional options, so you can choose the one whose color or meaning you like best.
›Why do some months have more than one birthstone?
Over the years, jewelers added alternatives so shoppers had more colors and price points to choose from. June, for example, includes pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite. All are considered correct, and you're free to wear whichever one speaks to you.
›Can I wear a birthstone that isn't my birth month?
Absolutely. Birthstones are a tradition, not a rule. Many people wear a stone for its color, its meaning, or because it belongs to someone they love. There's no wrong way to choose a gem you feel drawn to.