Birthstones by Month: Complete Guide
Birthstones bring colour, story and a personal touch to jewellery. Whether you’re choosing a gift or adding meaning to your own collection, this guide explains each month’s stones, how the lists evolved, and what to consider when buying secondhand or antique pieces.
Below you’ll find the modern list used today, traditional alternatives you’ll often see in older jewellery, and practical notes on colour, symbolism, durability and care so you can choose with confidence.
Table of Contents
- History of Birthstones
- Symbolism and Meaning
- Birthstones by Month: Modern and Traditional
- Buying Tips for Secondhand and Antique Jewellery
- Before You Buy: Care, Treatments and Wearability
- FAQs
- You Might Also Like
- Final Thought
- About Ps Its Vintage
- References
History of Birthstones
Linking gems to the calendar began with ancient lists associating twelve stones with months and zodiac signs. In the early twentieth century, trade bodies published standard lists so jewellers could offer clear guidance. UK and US lists now largely align, with accepted alternatives added over time to reflect colour choice and availability.
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Symbolism and Meaning
Birthstones carry stories through colour. Meanings are traditional rather than scientific, but they add a personal layer people enjoy in rings, pendants and charm bracelets. Use the colour cues below to guide gifting and styling.
Red and pink tones (ruby, some garnet, pink tourmaline): vitality, love, courage. Strong focal colours that suit statement rings and heart lockets.
Blue tones (sapphire, aquamarine, tanzanite, blue zircon): calm, wisdom, loyalty. Easy to pair with sterling silver and platinum settings.
Green tones (emerald, peridot, tsavorite garnet): renewal, balance, growth. Beautiful in yellow gold and vintage floral motifs.
Purple tones (amethyst, some sapphire): creativity, clarity, reflection. Versatile across day to evening wear.
Yellow to orange tones (citrine, warm topaz, spessartine garnet): joy, optimism, warmth. Lovely in retro and mid-century designs.
Neutrals and white (diamond, pearl, moonstone): clarity, harmony, elegance. Ideal for timeless everyday pieces.
If the colour resonates, the symbolism usually follows. The month-by-month notes below blend palette ideas with traditional associations so you can choose confidently.
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Birthstones by Month: Modern and Traditional
Month Index
- January — Garnet
- February — Amethyst
- March — Aquamarine & Bloodstone
- April — Diamond
- May — Emerald
- June — Pearl, Moonstone, Alexandrite
- July — Ruby
- August — Peridot, Spinel
- September — Sapphire
- October — Opal, Tourmaline
- November — Topaz, Citrine
- December — Turquoise, Tanzanite, Zircon
Here is the modern list alongside traditional options often seen in antique jewellery. Each month includes colour cues, classic symbolism and quick styling tips. You can expand these into standalone month guides later without changing your internal links.
January — Garnet
Modern: Garnet | Traditional: Garnet
Colour: Deep wine red is classic, but garnet spans vivid orange (spessartine) through fresh greens (tsavorite, demantoid).
Symbolism: Protection, friendship, safe travel, commitment.
Style tip: Red and green garnets pop in yellow gold, while cooler reds suit sterling silver for everyday wear.
February — Amethyst
Modern: Amethyst | Traditional: Amethyst
Colour: Lavender through rich royal purple, sometimes with rosy flashes.
Symbolism: Calm, clarity, balance, creativity.
Style tip: Pale lilac pairs beautifully with pearls; saturated purple loves chunky mid-century settings.
March — Aquamarine and Bloodstone
Modern: Aquamarine | Traditional: Bloodstone
Colour: Aquamarine shows watery blues from icy to sea foam; bloodstone is dark green with red flecks.
Symbolism: Aquamarine for calm and clear communication; bloodstone for courage and grounding.
Style tip: Aquamarine looks crisp in platinum or sterling silver; bloodstone suits signet styles and seals.
April — Diamond
Modern: Diamond | Traditional: Rock crystal sometimes listed
Colour: Colourless is classic. Antique pieces may show warm tints and old cuts with charming fire.
Symbolism: Strength, fidelity, clarity, endurance.
Style tip: Old mine and old European cuts bring character to vintage rings and pendants.
May — Emerald
Modern: Emerald | Traditional: Chrysoprase sometimes listed
Colour: Garden greens from bright spring grass to deep velvety tones.
Symbolism: Renewal, love, growth, wisdom.
Style tip: Yellow gold enhances warmth in emerald; delicate pieces shine as pendants and lockets.
June — Pearl, Moonstone, Alexandrite
Modern: Pearl, Moonstone, Alexandrite | Traditional: Pearl, Moonstone
Colour: Pearl ranges from creamy white to peacock tones; moonstone offers a soft glow; alexandrite shifts green to purplish with light.
Symbolism: Pearl for wisdom and harmony, moonstone for intuition, alexandrite for change and possibility.
Style tip: Pearls pair well with engraved lockets and book chains; moonstone loves Art Nouveau curves.
July — Ruby
Modern: Ruby | Traditional: Carnelian sometimes listed
Colour: From bright cherry to rich crimson, often with lively sparkle in antique cuts.
Symbolism: Passion, vitality, protection, success.
Style tip: Bold ruby clusters make excellent statement rings and look strong in yellow or rose gold.
August — Peridot, Spinel
Modern: Peridot, Spinel | Traditional: Sardonyx
Colour: Peridot brings fresh olive to lime; spinel appears in red, pink, lavender, blue and more.
Symbolism: Peridot for warmth and positivity; spinel for energy and resilience.
Style tip: Peridot glows in antique yellow gold; pastel spinels suit Edwardian and Art Deco designs.
September — Sapphire
Modern: Sapphire | Traditional: Lapis lazuli in older lists
Colour: Famous for blue, also pink, yellow, green and colourless.
Symbolism: Wisdom, loyalty, insight, protection.
Style tip: Blue sapphire halos pair beautifully with old cut diamonds for vintage engagement styles.
October — Opal, Tourmaline
Modern: Opal, Tourmaline | Traditional: Opal
Colour: Opal shows shifting play of colour; tourmaline spans delicate pink to vivid green and blue.
Symbolism: Opal for imagination and hope; tourmaline for balance and protection.
Style tip: Keep opal for pendants or earrings if you wear jewellery daily; tourmaline suits rings in protective settings.
November — Topaz, Citrine
Modern: Topaz, Citrine | Traditional: Topaz
Colour: Citrine offers lemon to honey; topaz ranges from warm golden to sky and London blues.
Symbolism: Citrine for joy and abundance; topaz for confidence and clarity.
Style tip: Honey citrine flatters vintage gold tones; blue topaz gives a clean modern look in sterling silver.
December — Turquoise, Tanzanite, Zircon
Modern: Turquoise, Tanzanite, Zircon | Traditional: Turquoise
Colour: Turquoise from robin’s-egg to teal; tanzanite blue violet; blue zircon bright and sparkling.
Symbolism: Turquoise for protection and good fortune; tanzanite for insight; zircon for clarity and balance.
Style tip: Turquoise sings in Victorian and Western-inspired pieces; zircon adds brilliant fire to Edwardian styles.
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Buying Tips for Secondhand and Antique Jewellery
Hallmarks and quality marks vary by country. Look for the system that applies to where the piece was made or sold:
UK, Ireland and many European countries: Independent assay hallmarks confirm precious metal fineness and include an Assay Office and sponsor’s (maker’s) mark. You may also see the Common Control Mark (CCM), an international treaty mark recognised by Convention members, which helps with cross-border recognition.
United States and Canada: Hallmarking is not compulsory. When a quality stamp such as 14K or 925 is used, it should be accompanied by a registered maker’s or seller’s identification mark (responsibility mark). Older or artisan pieces may show only fineness or a maker’s name; assess overall build quality and buy from trusted sources.
Elsewhere: Many countries use national symbols or statutory fineness marks. If unsure, compare the fineness number (for example 375, 585, 750, 916 for gold; 925 or 800 for silver) and ask for any documentation or origin details.
Condition and security: Check claws and bezels for tightness, and inspect stones for chips, abrasions or old repairs before buying.
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Before You Buy: Care, Treatments and Wearability
Match the stone to wear: Diamond, sapphire and ruby are best for daily rings. Delicate gems such as opal, pearl and turquoise are happier in pendants and earrings, or in protective settings.
Know the common treatments: Heat (ruby and sapphire) and oiling (emerald) are routine; some topaz and quartz are irradiated or coated. Disclosure matters because it affects care.
Clean with care: Lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft brush suit most stones. Avoid ultrasonics or steam for emerald, opal, pearl, turquoise and anything with unknown treatments. Pat dry with a lint free cloth and store softer gems separately.
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FAQs
Do I choose the modern or the traditional birthstone list?
Choose the list that suits the piece and the person. Modern lists are widely used today. Traditional stones appear often in antique jewellery and can be a lovely historic choice.
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Which birthstones are best for everyday ring wear?
Diamond, sapphire and ruby are excellent for rings. Aquamarine, garnet and amethyst are fine with sensible wear. Softer stones like opal, pearl and turquoise are better for pendants and earrings than heavy daily ring wear.
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How do I clean birthstone jewellery safely?
Use lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft brush for most gems. Avoid ultrasonics or steam with emerald, opal, pearl, turquoise and any stone with unknown treatments. Pat dry with a lint free cloth.
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What do hallmarks and quality marks tell me?
They indicate precious metal fineness and, depending on the country, the testing authority or maker. In the UK/EU you’ll see independent assay hallmarks and sometimes the Convention’s Common Control Mark. In the US/Canada a fineness mark like 14K or 925 should be accompanied by a registered responsibility mark.
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Why do some months have more than one stone?
Lists evolved over time. Alternatives were added for colour choice and availability, so several months now have multiple accepted options.
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You Might Also Like
- October Birthstone Jewellery: Antique & Vintage Opal and Tourmaline Guide
- September Birthstone Jewellery: Antique & Vintage Sapphire Guide
- Jewellery Symbolism Guide: Meaning Behind Popular Motifs
- How to Tell if Vintage Jewellery Is Real – A Simple Guide
Final Thought
Birthstones add a meaningful layer to jewellery. This overview is your starting point. I’ll continue the series with month by month deep dives that explore history, colour ranges, treatments and buying tips for each stone.
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About Ps Its Vintage
Ps Its Vintage is independently run and specialises in preloved, vintage and antique jewellery. Every piece is chosen for its character, quality and symbolism, with a focus on hallmarks, makers and meaningful design. Whether you’re exploring birthstones or building a collection around personal milestones, this guide is here to help you choose with confidence.
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References
- GIA — Birthstones by Month
- International Gem Society — Birthstone Chart
- IGS — Gemstone Hardness and Wearability
- GIA — Diamond Care and Cleaning
- Assay Office London — What is a Hallmark?
- Hallmarking Convention — Overview and Common Control Mark
- FTC Jewelry Guides — Quality and Responsibility Marks (US)
- Wikipedia — Birthstone (history overview)
