Birthstones by Month: Colours, Meanings and Gift Ideas

A birthstone turns a piece of jewellery into a personal story. Every month has its own gem, chosen for its colour and the qualities tradition has linked to it for centuries. The list most jewellers use today was standardised by American jewellers in 1912 and updated in 1952, 2002 and 2016, which is why some months now have two or three stones.

Find your perfect birthstone

Birthstone chart: January to December

Meanings come from tradition and folklore, not science.

Each birthstone at a glance

January: garnet

Garnet is a family of gems rather than one stone. Deep red is the most familiar, but hessonite, known in India as gomed, is an orange-brown garnet. With a hardness of 6.5 to 7.5, it suits rings and pendants for daily wear.

February: amethyst

Amethyst is purple quartz, long associated with calm and a clear mind. It is hard enough for everyday rings, though its colour can fade after long, strong exposure to sunlight, so store it away from a sunny window.

March: aquamarine and bloodstone

Aquamarine's sea-blue colour has made it a traditional symbol of calm. Bloodstone, the older March stone, is dark green chalcedony flecked with red. Our aquamarine bracelet pairs it with lapis lazuli and pearl.

April: diamond

Diamond is the hardest natural material. For a budget-friendly April gift, clear quartz gives a similar icy sparkle; the Herkimer "diamond" in our silver ring is a naturally double-pointed quartz crystal, not a diamond.

May: emerald

Emerald is green beryl, prized for its colour and almost always marked by tiny natural inclusions. Many emeralds are oiled to improve clarity, so keep them away from ultrasonic cleaners. Green jade and aventurine offer the same fresh green for less.

June: pearl, moonstone and alexandrite

June has three stones. Pearl is soft and organic, moonstone glows with a floating sheen, and alexandrite changes colour between daylight and lamplight. Moonstone in sterling silver is the most wearable of the three every day.

July: ruby

Ruby is red corundum and, at 9 on the hardness scale, second only to diamond among the classic gems. Its colour has made it a symbol of passion and vitality across cultures, and it is one of the navratna in Vedic tradition.

August: peridot, spinel and sardonyx

Peridot's olive-to-lime green has an almost glowing quality, which is why it was linked with light and positivity. Spinel joined the list in 2016 and comes in many colours; sardonyx is banded red and white chalcedony.

September: sapphire

Sapphire is corundum, like ruby, and comes in almost every colour, though deep blue remains the classic. For a deep-blue look in silver, lapis lazuli is an affordable alternative with gold-coloured flecks.

October: opal and tourmaline

Opal shows a play of colour that shifts as you move it, while tourmaline comes in more colours than almost any other gem, with pink the October favourite. Opal contains water and dislikes heat and sudden temperature changes, so treat it gently.

November: topaz and citrine

Both glow in warm golden shades, which is why November stones are linked with warmth and abundance. Natural citrine is rare; much of the citrine sold worldwide is amethyst heat-treated to a golden colour, a long-accepted practice.

December: turquoise, tanzanite and zircon

Turquoise is one of the oldest protective stones in history. Tanzanite, added in 2002, is a violet-blue gem mined commercially only in Tanzania. Natural zircon is a gem in its own right and not the same as cubic zirconia (CZ).

Birthstone, zodiac stone or Vedic gemstone?

• Birthstone: follows the calendar month you were born in.
• Zodiac stone: follows your sun sign, which runs from around the 20th of one month to the 20th of the next. See our zodiac gemstone bracelets.
• Vedic gemstone (ratna): recommended by an astrologer from your full birth chart. A birthstone is not a substitute for that advice.

How to choose a birthstone gift

• Pendant: the easiest gift, because there is no size to guess. Our 925 silver gemstone pendants cover most birthstones.
• Bracelet: natural gemstone bead bracelets start at ₹249 and come in sizes from 6 to 8 inches. See the birthstone bracelet table.
• Ring: each silver ring is listed in a specific size, shown in its title. If you are unsure of the size, choose a pendant instead.
• Two stones: for couples or a mother and child, combine both birthstones, for example a pendant for one and a bracelet for the other.

Caring for birthstone jewellery

Harder stones such as ruby, sapphire, topaz, aquamarine and quartz cope well with daily wear. Softer or porous stones need more care: opal, turquoise, pearl and moonstone should be kept away from perfume, soap, heat and ultrasonic cleaners. Wipe them with a soft, dry cloth and store each piece separately.

Frequently asked questions

What is my birthstone?

Find your birth month in the chart above. Months with more than one stone, such as June, October and December, let you choose by colour or budget.

Which birthstone list is correct, modern or traditional?

Both are used. Most jewellers follow the modern list, first standardised in 1912 and last updated in 2016, while traditional lists keep older stones such as bloodstone for March. Choose the one that feels right to you.

Do birthstones have healing powers?

Birthstone meanings come from tradition, folklore and personal belief. They are not medical or scientific claims, and no gemstone replaces medical advice.

What if the official birthstone is too expensive?

Choose a natural stone in a similar colour, such as green jade for emerald, clear quartz for diamond or lapis lazuli for sapphire. The meaning is in the choice and the colour as much as the mineral.

Is a birthstone the same as a rashi stone?

No. A birthstone follows the calendar month, while a rashi stone in Vedic astrology is chosen from your birth chart. For a rashi recommendation, consult an astrologer.

What is the best birthstone gift?

A sterling silver pendant is the safest choice because it needs no size. A gemstone bracelet is the most affordable, and pairs well with a card explaining the stone's meaning.

Find your perfect birthstone

Explore 925 sterling silver gemstone jewellery or natural gemstone bracelets. Free shipping across India, with an extra 5% off when you buy two or more pieces.