Birthstones are one of the oldest ways to make a piece of jewelry personal. Each month has its own gem (some have two or three), each with its own color, history and meaning. Use this month-by-month guide to find the right stone for a birthday, an anniversary or a new baby. You can also visit our gallery in Redmond Town Center to see the stones in person.
Birthstones by month at a glance
| Month | Birthstone | Color |
|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Deep red |
| February | Amethyst | Purple |
| March | Aquamarine, bloodstone | Pale blue to sea green |
| April | Diamond (clear quartz and crystal are popular alternatives) | Clear |
| May | Emerald | Green |
| June | Pearl, moonstone, alexandrite | Cream, white, color-change |
| July | Ruby | Red |
| August | Peridot, spinel, sardonyx | Olive to lime green |
| September | Sapphire | Blue |
| October | Opal, tourmaline | Every color |
| November | Topaz, citrine | Golden yellow to orange |
| December | Turquoise, tanzanite, zircon, blue topaz | Blue |
January: garnet
Garnet is best known in a deep wine red, though the garnet family also includes greens and oranges. It has long been a stone of friendship and safe travels, which makes it a thoughtful gift for someone heading somewhere new. Garnet is durable enough for everyday earrings and necklaces. Shop January birthstone jewelry.
February: amethyst
Amethyst is purple quartz, ranging from soft lilac to deep violet. The ancient Greeks linked it with a clear head, and it has stayed one of the most loved gemstones ever since. At 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, it is a good choice for rings and pendants. Shop February birthstone jewelry.
March: aquamarine
Aquamarine takes its name from the Latin for seawater, and its color runs from pale ice blue to blue green. Sailors carried it for calm seas, and it is still given as a symbol of calm and courage. It is hard and bright, and it suits both delicate and statement pieces. Shop March birthstone jewelry.
April: diamond
Diamond is the hardest natural material on earth and the classic April stone. Many people born in April also choose clear quartz or rock crystal, which give the same icy sparkle at a gentler price. Shop April birthstone jewelry and crystals.
May: emerald
Emerald is the green of new leaves and the traditional stone of spring and renewal. Most emeralds have natural inclusions, which jewelers call the jardin, or garden. Treat emerald gently and keep it away from heat and ultrasonic cleaners. Shop May birthstone jewelry.
June: pearl and moonstone
June is the only month with gems that are not mined. Pearls grow inside mollusks, and freshwater pearls come in soft white, cream, peach and lavender. Moonstone has a floating blue sheen, and alexandrite changes color from green to purple-red in different light. Pearls are soft, so put them on last and wipe them after wearing. Shop June birthstone pearls.
July: ruby
Ruby is red corundum, the same mineral as sapphire. It is one of the hardest gemstones, and for centuries it has stood for passion and protection. A small ruby adds a lot of color to stud earrings or a simple pendant. Shop July birthstone jewelry.
August: peridot
Peridot glows in a fresh olive to lime green, and it is one of the few gems that only ever comes in one color. It is sometimes found in meteorites, which makes it a fun story to give along with the gift. Shop August birthstone peridot.
September: sapphire
Sapphire is best known in deep blue, though it comes in almost every color except red, which is ruby. It is extremely hard and holds up to daily wear, which is why it is a favorite for rings. Shop September birthstone sapphire.
October: opal and tourmaline
Opal flashes with shifting color, and no two stones look alike. Tourmaline grows in more colors than any other gem, including watermelon crystals that are pink in the middle and green at the rim. Read our full October birthstone guide, or shop October birthstone opal.
November: topaz and citrine
November has warm golden stones. Citrine is yellow to amber quartz, and topaz comes in golden, smoky and blue tones. Both are durable and cheerful, a nice lift for the darkest part of the year. Shop November birthstone jewelry.
December: turquoise, tanzanite and blue topaz
December's stones are all blue. Turquoise is one of the oldest gems in human history, with a sky-blue color often veined with matrix. Tanzanite is violet blue and found in only one place on earth, in Tanzania. Blue topaz is bright, clear and hard-wearing. Shop December birthstone jewelry.
How to choose a birthstone gift
- Think about how it will be worn. For everyday rings, choose harder stones like sapphire, ruby, aquamarine or amethyst. Softer stones like opal, pearl and turquoise are lovely in earrings and pendants, where they take fewer knocks.
- Mix stones for a family piece. A necklace or bracelet with each child's birthstone makes a meaningful gift for a parent or grandparent.
- Do not worry about the "right" stone. Many months have more than one option, so pick the color the person will love to wear.
- See it in person. Gem color changes with the light, and photos never quite capture it.
Find your birthstone in Redmond
Utopia is a gallery of handmade jewelry, gemstones and art in Redmond Town Center, Suite C115. We are in Center Court near the fountains, next to Starbucks and Soma. Parking is in the garage off 164th Ave or 166th Ave. Every month we feature that month's birthstone in the gallery, and our team is happy to help you find the right piece. Get directions or call us at (425) 497-1513.