As coloured stones evolved as talismans and amulets, these stones came to be associated with the time of a person’s birth and thus we have ‘birthstones’.
There are four general birthstones alternatives for the months – the traditional, modern, mystical and Ayruvedic stones.
Traditional birthstones have been used since approximately the 15th century. Modern birthstones are the “official” list, adopted in the early 20th century. Mystical birthstones are Tibetan in origin and date back over a thousand years. Ayurvedic birthstones are from ancient India circa 1500BC.
Traditional
Modern
Mystical
Ayruvedic
January
garnet
garnet
emerald
garnet
February
amethyst
amethyst
bloodstone
amethyst
March
bloodstone
aquamarine
jade
bloodstone
April
diamond
diamond
opal
diamond
May
emerald
emerald
sapphire
agate
June
alexandrite
pearl or moonstone
moonstone
pearl
July
ruby
ruby
ruby
ruby
August
sardonyx
peridot
diamond
sapphire
September
sapphire
sapphire
agate
moonstone
October
tourmaline
opal or tourmaline
jasper
opal
November
citrine
topaz or citrine
pearl
topaz
December
zircon, turquoise or lapis lazuli
blue topaz, turquoise or tanzanite
onyx
ruby
There are also birthstones ascribed to the signs of the zodiac.
Aquarius
January 21-February 18
garnet
Pisces
February 19 – March 20
amethyst
Aries
March 21 – April 20
bloodstone
Taurus
April 21 – May 21
sapphire
Gemini
May 22 – June 21
agate
Cancer
June 22 – July 22
emerald
Leo
July 20 – August 23
onyx
Virgo
August 24 – September 22
carnelian
Libra
September 23 – October 23
peridot or aventurine
Scorpio
October 24 – November 22
beryl
Sagittarius
November 23 – December 21
topaz
Capricorn
December 22 – January 20
ruby
For more information on each of these stones, please go to the appropriate gemstone facts and lore sections:
