Birthstone List

The Complete Birthstone List

Have you ever wondered why birthstones are such a big deal? In our birthstone list we will explore their history, discover the traditional and alternate stones, and learn some cool facts about each gem.

If you just looking for quick rundown of which stone corresponds to which month we’ve created this handy graphic below.

A Brief History of Birthstones

The idea of birthstones dates back to ancient times. The tradition is thought to have originated with the Breastplate of Aaron, a religious garment described in the Bible that was adorned with twelve gemstones representing the twelve tribes of Israel.

Fast forward to the 18th century, and people in Poland began wearing gemstones corresponding to their birth month. This trend spread, and in 1912, the American National Retail Jewelers Association (now Jewelers of America) officially adopted a standardized list of birthstones.

Traditional Birthstone List

January – Garnet

Chemical Description: Garnets are a group of silicate minerals with similar physical properties but different chemical compositions.
Where It’s Found: Garnet deposits are found in places like India, Sri Lanka, and the USA.
Fun Fact: Garnets come in almost every color except blue!

February – Amethyst

Chemical Description: Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz, composed of silicon dioxide.
Where It’s Found: Major sources include Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
Fun Fact: Ancient Greeks believed amethyst could prevent drunkenness.

March – Aquamarine

Chemical Description: Aquamarine is a blue to blue-green variety of beryl, containing beryllium aluminum silicate.
Where It’s Found: This gem is commonly found in Brazil, Nigeria, and Madagascar.
Fun Fact: Aquamarine is said to calm the waves and keep sailors safe at sea.

April – Diamond

Chemical Description: Diamonds are pure carbon, arranged in a crystal lattice.
Where It’s Found: Diamonds are primarily mined in South Africa, Russia, and Canada.
Fun Fact: Diamonds are the hardest natural substance on Earth.

May – Emerald

Chemical Description: Emerald is a green variety of beryl, colored by trace amounts of chromium and vanadium.
Where It’s Found: Significant sources include Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil.
Fun Fact: Cleopatra was famously obsessed with emeralds!

June – Pearl

Chemical Description: Pearls are organic gems formed inside mollusks, composed mainly of calcium carbonate.
Where It’s Found: They are primarily harvested in Japan, China, and the South Pacific.
Fun Fact: Pearls are the only gems created by living organisms.

July – Ruby

Chemical Description: Ruby is a red variety of corundum, made of aluminum oxide with chromium.
Where It’s Found: Notable sources are Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
Fun Fact: Rubies are known as the “king of gemstones” for their deep red color and rarity.

August – Peridot

Chemical Description: Peridot is a gem-quality variety of olivine, composed of magnesium iron silicate.
Where It’s Found: Major sources include the USA (Arizona), China, and Pakistan.
Fun Fact: Peridot has been found in meteorites!

September – Sapphire

Chemical Description: Sapphire is a variety of corundum, an aluminum oxide mineral.
Where It’s Found: Sapphires are mined in countries like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Australia.
Fun Fact: While blue is the most common, sapphires come in nearly every color except red (which are rubies).

October – Opal

Chemical Description: Opals are hydrated silica, with a significant water content.
Where It’s Found: Australia is the primary source, followed by Ethiopia and Mexico.
Fun Fact: Opals can display a stunning play-of-color, with flashes of rainbow colors.

November – Topaz

Chemical Description: Topaz is a silicate mineral of aluminum and fluorine.
Where It’s Found: Brazil is the largest producer, along with Pakistan and Russia.
Fun Fact: Pure topaz is colorless, and impurities give it various colors.

December – Turquoise

Chemical Composition: Hydrated copper aluminum phosphate.
Where Found: Iran, the United States (Southwest), and China.
Fun Fact: Turquoise has been prized for thousands of years and is one of the oldest known gemstones.

Alternate Birthstone List

In addition to traditional birthstones, there is an alternate birthstone list for each month. They were introduced over time to provide more options and sometimes better availability.

June – Alexandrite

When It Became an Alternate: Added as an alternate in the late 20th century.
Fun Fact: Alexandrite changes color from green in daylight to red under incandescent light.

August – Spinel

When It Became an Alternate: Officially recognized in 2016.
Fun Fact: Spinel was often mistaken for ruby in the past; the “Black Prince’s Ruby” in the British Crown Jewels is actually a spinel.

October – Pink Tourmaline

When It Became an Alternate: Recognized in the early 20th century.
Fun Fact: Tourmaline comes in many colors, with pink being one of the most popular.

November – Citrine

When It Became an Alternate: Added in the early 20th century.
Fun Fact: Citrine is known as the “merchant’s stone” for its supposed prosperity-bringing properties.

December – Blue Zircon and Tanzanite

When Became Alternatives: Zircon in the 1950s, Tanzanite in 2002.
Fun Fact: Zircon is double refractive which makes it very sparkly and Tanzanite is prized for its deep blue-violet hue.

What’s your Stone?

So there you have it, your comprehensive birthstone list! Next time you admire your birthstone, you’ll know a bit more about its history, origins, and the science that makes it shine.

If you are thinking of making a piece of birthstone jewellery we’d be happy to help! You can either reach out to us or request a quote and we’ll get back to you asap.