Birthstones by month, and how they look set in silver or gold
A birthstone turns a simple ring or pendant into a personal gift. The tradition of associating a gem with each month is old, but the lists in use today are fairly recent and vary from one country to another. Here is a practical guide: the stone for each month, the common alternatives, how durable each stone is and which metal shows it off best.
Where birthstone lists come from
Gems have been linked to months, zodiac signs and protective virtues for centuries, and many accounts trace the idea back to ancient descriptions of a jewelled breastplate with twelve stones. The modern lists, however, are largely a twentieth-century creation. In 1912, an American jewellers’ association published a standardised list that became the basis of the one widely used today, and it has been updated several times since. Other countries, including the United Kingdom, have their own versions, so do not be surprised to see different stones quoted for the same month.
The stones month by month
| Month | Modern birthstone | Common alternatives | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | garnet | deep red, also other colours | |
| February | amethyst | purple | |
| March | aquamarine | bloodstone | pale blue |
| April | diamond | rock crystal | colourless |
| May | emerald | green | |
| June | pearl | moonstone, alexandrite | white, iridescent, colour-change |
| July | ruby | red | |
| August | peridot | spinel, sardonyx | olive green |
| September | sapphire | blue | |
| October | opal | tourmaline | multicoloured |
| November | topaz | citrine | golden yellow |
| December | turquoise | tanzanite, zircon | blue |
When in doubt, the modern stone is the safest choice for a gift, but alternatives offer more options in price and durability.
Durability: an important practical question
Not all birthstones cope equally well with daily wear. Gem hardness is usually described on the Mohs scale, from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond). Harder stones resist scratches better, though toughness and sensitivity to heat or chemicals also matter.
- Very durable: diamond, ruby and sapphire are excellent for rings worn every day.
- Durable with care: aquamarine, topaz, garnet, amethyst, peridot, tourmaline and spinel suit rings, with some attention.
- Delicate: pearl, opal and turquoise are softer or more porous and are better suited to pendants and earrings, or to rings worn occasionally.
- Emerald is hard but often contains natural inclusions that make it more fragile to knocks; protective settings are a good idea.
For a closer look at gemstone rings, see our guide to gemstone rings worth adding to your collection.
Silver or gold?
The metal changes how a stone looks. Some general observations:
| Stone colour | Often flattered by | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cool blues (aquamarine, sapphire, blue topaz, tanzanite) | silver, white gold | white metal enhances the cool tone |
| Purples (amethyst) | both; silver for a cool look, yellow gold for warmth | strong colour works with either |
| Greens (emerald, peridot) | yellow gold | warm metal deepens green |
| Reds (ruby, garnet) | yellow or rose gold | warm metals intensify red |
| Yellows (citrine, golden topaz) | yellow gold | colour harmony |
| Pearls and opals | both | a matter of personal style |
| Diamond | both | white metal for icy brilliance, yellow gold for contrast |
These are tendencies, not rules. Skin tone and personal taste matter as much as theory. Our article on yellow, white and rose gold explains how metal colour interacts with skin.
Natural, synthetic and imitation stones
When buying a birthstone, check what kind of stone you are getting:
- natural: formed in the earth, possibly treated to improve colour or clarity, which is common and should be disclosed;
- synthetic or lab-grown: same chemical composition and properties as the natural stone, made in a laboratory, usually less expensive;
- imitation or simulant: a different material that looks similar, such as glass or a different crystal.
All three can make lovely jewelry. The important thing is that the description is honest.
Gift ideas
- A birthstone pendant on a fine chain: simple, versatile and suitable for delicate stones.
- Stud earrings, protected from knocks.
- A family ring or bracelet combining the birthstones of children or grandchildren.
- A stacking ring that can be joined by others over the years.
- A birthstone charm on a bracelet.
For general ideas on pendants and chains, our guide to gold chain necklaces covers lengths and link styles.
Care
Clean most birthstones with lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steam for pearls, opals, turquoise, emeralds and any treated stone. Store pieces separately, as harder stones scratch softer ones.
In short
Each month has a modern birthstone and often one or two alternatives. Choose with durability in mind, especially for rings, and let the colour of the stone guide the metal: cool stones in silver or white gold, warm stones in yellow or rose gold. Most of all, choose a piece the wearer will love to wear.
