What Is a Birthstone?
A birthstone is a gemstone traditionally associated with the month of a person's birth. The custom dates back centuries and is tied to folklore, astrology, and the Biblical breastplate of Aaron with its twelve stones. Today, jewelers most commonly reference the modern birthstone list standardized in the early 20th century, while many cultures still honor older traditional stones. This calculator gives you both.
How to Use This Calculator
Simply select your birth month from the dropdown and the calculator instantly displays your modern birthstone, the traditional alternative, and a short note on the qualities the stone symbolizes. No birth year or day is required — birthstones are assigned strictly by calendar month.
How It Works
There is no arithmetic involved; the result is a direct lookup. Each month from 1 (January) through 12 (December) maps to a fixed gemstone in a reference table. For example, January returns Garnet and July returns Ruby. The formula is simply $$\text{Stone} = \text{Table}[\text{month}]$$
Worked Example
Suppose you were born in May. Selecting "May" (month \(5\)) returns Emerald as the modern birthstone, with the traditional stone also being Emerald, symbolizing rebirth, hope, and prosperity. A June birth returns Pearl (modern) and Alexandrite (traditional).
Birthstone Chart by Month (Modern & Traditional)
Birthstones link each calendar month to one or more gemstones. The list below follows the modern list standardized in the United States (originally adopted in 1912 and updated since), alongside common traditional or alternative stones still widely recognized. To find yours, match your birth month to the row.
| Month | Modern Birthstone | Traditional / Alternative | Symbolism |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Garnet | Protection, loyalty, enduring friendship |
| February | Amethyst | Amethyst | Calm, clarity, sobriety |
| March | Aquamarine | Bloodstone | Courage, tranquility, the sea |
| April | Diamond | Diamond / Rock crystal | Strength, love, invincibility |
| May | Emerald | Emerald / Agate | Rebirth, growth, fertility |
| June | Pearl | Alexandrite / Moonstone | Purity, intuition, transformation |
| July | Ruby | Ruby | Passion, vitality, courage |
| August | Peridot | Spinel / Sardonyx | Strength, good fortune, protection |
| September | Sapphire | Sapphire | Wisdom, truth, faithfulness |
| October | Opal | Tourmaline | Hope, creativity, imagination |
| November | Topaz | Citrine | Warmth, healing, abundance |
| December | Turquoise | Tanzanite / Zircon / Blue Topaz | Good fortune, protection, friendship |
For example, someone born in September has the sapphire as their modern birthstone. Your birthstone is determined by month alone, while your zodiac sign depends on the exact day — the two often differ.
Birthstone Meanings & Symbolism
Each birthstone carries centuries of folklore and traditional symbolism. The notes below summarize the qualities most commonly associated with each gem.
- Garnet (January) — A deep red gem symbolizing protection, loyalty and enduring friendship; long carried by travelers to guard against harm.
- Amethyst (February) — A violet quartz linked to calm, clarity and sobriety; historically believed to ward off intoxication and sharpen the mind.
- Aquamarine (March) — A pale blue-green beryl associated with courage, tranquility and the sea; thought to protect sailors and ensure safe passage.
- Diamond (April) — The hardest natural gem, symbolizing strength, eternal love and invincibility; a classic emblem of commitment.
- Emerald (May) — A vivid green beryl representing rebirth, growth and fertility; tied to renewal and foresight in many cultures.
- Pearl & Alexandrite (June) — The pearl signifies purity and innocence, while color-changing alexandrite represents transformation, intuition and good fortune.
- Ruby (July) — A rich red corundum symbolizing passion, vitality and courage; long regarded as the king of gems and a protector against misfortune.
- Peridot (August) — A yellow-green gem associated with strength, good fortune and protection from negative energy.
- Sapphire (September) — A blue corundum representing wisdom, truth and faithfulness; traditionally a symbol of nobility and sincerity.
- Opal & Tourmaline (October) — Iridescent opal embodies hope, creativity and imagination, while many-colored tourmaline symbolizes inspiration and balance.
- Topaz & Citrine (November) — Golden topaz and sunny citrine convey warmth, healing and abundance; believed to bring positivity and prosperity.
- Turquoise & Tanzanite (December) — Turquoise is a timeless symbol of good fortune, protection and friendship, while violet-blue tanzanite represents transformation and calm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a month have more than one birthstone? Yes. Several months have multiple recognized stones — we show the most common modern stone alongside a traditional alternative.
Does my birth year affect my birthstone? No. Birthstones depend only on the month of birth, not the day or year.
Are these official? The modern list reflects the widely adopted Jewelers of America standard; traditional stones vary by culture and era.
