Birthstones by Month
Every month has its own gemstone — and its own meaning. Find your birthstone below, from January’s garnet to December’s turquoise, and discover the colours and symbolism each one carries. A free guide, for fun.
Find your birthstone
Where birthstones come from
Assigning a gemstone to each birth month is an old tradition, with roots reaching back to the twelve stones of the biblical breastplate of Aaron. Over the centuries each stone gathered its own lore: the January garnet for protection, the July ruby for passion, the September sapphire for wisdom.
The list most people know today was standardised by jewellers in the twentieth century. Reading a meaning into your birthstone is a charming, for-fun way to reflect on the season you were born into — never a forecast or a fact about who you are.
Go beyond your birthstone
Frequently asked questions
What is a birthstone?▾
A birthstone is the gemstone traditionally associated with the month you were born. Each month has one or two stones, and each carries its own symbolic meaning drawn from centuries of gemstone lore. It is a fun lens for reflection, not a prediction.
How do I find my birthstone?▾
Find the month you were born in the list above and open it. Each month has a primary birthstone and a traditional alternate — for example, January is the garnet, and September is the sapphire. We follow the modern (Jewelers of America) birthstone list.
Do birthstones really say anything about your personality?▾
No — birthstone “personality” readings are entertainment drawn from gemstone folklore. They are a charming way to reflect on traits, not a psychological assessment or a fact about who you are.
Why do some months have more than one birthstone?▾
Tradition assigned more than one stone to several months, and modern lists sometimes add an accessible alternate. We list the most widely cited primary stone first, with the common alternate alongside it.