Birthstone colors vary by month, featuring rich reds for January (Garnet) and July (Ruby), deep purples for February (Amethyst), vibrant greens for May (Emerald) and August (Peridot), and various blues for March (Aquamarine), September (Sapphire), and December (Zircon, Turquoise, Tanzanite), while April's Diamond is clear, October offers Opal (multi-color) & Tourmaline (pink/green), and November provides Topaz & Citrine (yellow/gold). June has Pearl (white/cream), Alexandrite (color-changing), and Moonstone (opalescent).
Birthstones
The 12 zodiac gemstones are traditionally linked to birth months, with each sign having specific stones like Garnet for Capricorn, Amethyst for Aquarius, Aquamarine for Pisces, Diamond for Aries, Emerald for Taurus, Pearl/Moonstone for Gemini, Ruby for Cancer, Peridot for Leo, Sapphire for Virgo, Opal for Libra, Topaz/Citrine for Scorpio, and Turquoise/Tanzanite for Sagittarius, offering unique meanings and energies for each astrological sign, though variations exist between modern and traditional lists.
What Color Is Your Zodiac Sign?
January is garnet, February is amethyst, March is aquamarine, April is diamond, May is emerald, June is alexandrite, July is ruby, August is peridot, September is sapphire, October is tourmaline, November is topaz, December is blue topaz. Learn more about these popular gemstones.
The top 5 rarest birthstones often include Alexandrite (June) for its color change, Tanzanite (December) due to its single-location source, Ruby (July) for rare high-quality red, Emerald (May) for clarity, and high-quality/colored Diamonds (April), with special varieties like Red Diamonds, Paraíba Tourmaline (October), or natural Pearls (June) also ranking high, depending on the specific quality and type considered.
October has two birthstones, opal and tourmaline, because jewelers added pink tourmaline in 1952 as a more durable and less "feminine" alternative to the delicate opal, which was the sole stone since 1912, giving people more choices for style, budget, and durability. This reflects an older tradition of offering multiple options for a single month, providing variety for different tastes, from opal's mystical colors to tourmaline's vibrant hues.
Simulated gemstones are also called “imitation”, “faux” and “fake” stones. A simulant is intended to “look like” another gemstone, but its composition is not the same. An analysis would uncover what it really is (e.g. plastic, glass, a different stone than claimed to be).
Diamond always leads the conversation about what is the most powerful birthstone. It is the hardest natural material known, making it a universal symbol of strength and purity. Legends say diamonds can make the wearer nearly “invincible,” and even attract good fortune from the planets.
According to Bernhardt, "Colorstrology is a system based on where the sun was when you were born, your ruling planet, the element that you are—whether you're fire, earth, air, or water—and the numerological vibration of your birthday.
If you feel less motivated or have lost hope in any aspect of your life, wearing citrine jewelry can help. Citrine stone is good for anxiety as it helps calm your mind, promotes mental clarity, and induces self-confidence.
Birth Color by Month
You are not breaking any laws or disrupting the course of the galaxy. In fact, it's even okay if you like the birthstone of another month. We know that there are some people out there that it is simply not okay to wear any gemstone besides your own.
People involved in manual labor, sports, or with very active lifestyles should avoid constant opal ring wear due to its softness (Mohs 5.5-6.5), risking scratches and cracks, while some astrological beliefs suggest Aries, Leo, Scorpio, and Cancer signs, or those with incompatible planets, should also be cautious. Otherwise, opals are generally fine for anyone to wear, but require careful handling and protective settings like bezels.
What is the rarest birthstone month? June has the rarest birthstone with alexandrite, which is described as "extremely rare" and found only in a few locations globally. Natural pearls, another June birthstone, are also extremely rare, making June the month with the rarest birthstone options.
Some experts believe that birthstones can be traced back to the Bible. In Exodus 28, Moses sets forth directions for making special garments for Aaron, the High Priest of the Hebrews. Specifically, the breastplate was to contain twelve precious gemstones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel.
7 Gemstones Known to Bring Good Luck
TANZANITE: ONE THOUSAND TIMES RARER THAN A DIAMOND.
A "gem" (💎) primarily means a precious or semi-precious stone cut for jewelry, but metaphorically, it describes someone or something of exceptional beauty, quality, or value, like a "hidden gem" of a restaurant or a "real gem" of a person. It signifies something outstanding, perfect, or highly prized, though it can be used sarcastically to mean the opposite.
The 12 modern birthstones, assigned by month, are: January (Garnet), February (Amethyst), March (Aquamarine), April (Diamond), May (Emerald), June (Alexandrite/Pearl/Moonstone), July (Ruby), August (Peridot/Spinel/Sardonyx), September (Sapphire), October (Opal/Tourmaline), November (Topaz/Citrine), and December (Tanzanite/Turquoise/Zircon), offering several options for some months, with traditional and alternative stones alongside the primary ones.
While Alexandrite is widely regarded as the rarest traditional birthstone, other birthstones possess their own unique rarity: Red Beryl (October Birthstone): Often mistaken for ruby, this deep red gemstone is one of the world's most scarce minerals, primarily found in Utah's Wah Wah Mountains.