Birthstones are gems associated with each month of the year, and they are one of the most popular ways people connect personally with gemstones. But the "official" list is more recent and more negotiable than most people assume, and several months have more than one stone. Here is the complete, accurate chart.
The modern chart, month by month
The list most US jewelers use today traces to a standardized list adopted in 1912 and maintained since by Jewelers of America, echoed by the American Gem Society and GIA. It has been revised a few times.
- January — Garnet
- February — Amethyst
- March — Aquamarine (traditional: Bloodstone)
- April — Diamond
- May — Emerald
- June — Pearl, Alexandrite, Moonstone
- July — Ruby
- August — Peridot, Spinel, Sardonyx
- September — Sapphire
- October — Opal, Tourmaline
- November — Topaz, Citrine
- December — Turquoise, Tanzanite, Zircon (some lists add blue topaz or lapis lazuli)
Why some months have several stones
Several months carry more than one official birthstone, usually because a rarer or more expensive traditional gem was joined over time by more affordable or available alternatives. June, August, and December each have three. That gives you options: an alexandrite and a moonstone are both June stones, at very different price points.
What has actually changed recently
The list is not fixed in stone. The most recent official change was in 2016, when spinel was added as an August birthstone alongside peridot and sardonyx. Before that, tanzanite was added to December in 2002, and a larger 1952 revision introduced alexandrite, citrine, tourmaline, and zircon. As of 2026, no further changes have been made since spinel in 2016.
Traditional vs modern
Older "traditional" lists sometimes differ, for example bloodstone for March or lapis lazuli for December. Neither is "wrong." The modern list reflects current availability and market preference; traditional lists reflect older custom. Pick whichever stone you connect with.
Choosing a birthstone to actually wear
Birthstones vary enormously in durability, so match the stone to how it will be worn:
- Hard and daily-wear friendly: diamond (April), ruby and sapphire (July, September), and quartz-family stones like amethyst and citrine (February, November) at Mohs 7.
- Wear with care: emerald (May) is fragile and usually oiled; opal (October) is soft and water-sensitive; pearl (June) is soft and organic; tanzanite (December) is relatively soft and cleaves.
If a birthstone you love is delicate, favor earrings or pendants over an everyday ring, and read our guides on hardness and care before buying.
A birthstone is a lovely, personal choice, not a rigid rule. Know your month's options, understand each stone's durability, and choose the gem you will genuinely enjoy wearing.
