What Are the Birthstones for Each Month?

Did you know that there is more than one birthstone for each month? Traditional stones were established for centuries. But when retailers got involved to try to increase sales, they invented modern “equivalents” that are based on nothing except what extras they had in stock and wanted to unload.

Tiffany & Co printed a now-famous pamphlet of birthstone poems, which were totally inaccurate, in order to sell more gems. It was full of poems detailing the birthstones and their powers, credited to an “unknown author,” ostensibly someone in the marketing department to cash in on these traditions.

January’s birthstone is garnet.

February’s birthstones are amethyst, pearl, and zircon.

March’s birthstones are aquamarine, bloodstone, and jasper.

April’s birthstones are diamond, sapphire, and mystic topaz.

May’s birthstones are agate, emerald, and chrysoprase.

June’s birthstones are agate, alexandrite, cat’s eye, moonstone, pearl, and turquoise.

July’s birthstones are carnelian, onyx, ruby, and turquoise.

August’s birthstones are carnelian, moonstone, peridot, sardonyx, spinel, and moonstone.

September’s birthstones are chrysolite, lapis, and sapphire.

October’s birthstones are aquamarine, opal, and tourmaline.

November’s birthstones are citrine, pearl, and topaz.

December’s birthstones are bloodstone, lapis, ruby, turquoise, and zircon.

Although most birthstones were pretty well-established by the 1400s, modern jewelers have altered the traditions by inventing new birthstones for the months. There aren’t any real reasons for this spiritually speaking — it was just a marketing ploy to sell more of certain gems. Therefore, don’t worry too much about it. The powers are inside of you, and you’ll intuitively know which crystal should be yours!