Every month of the year has at least one birthstone: diamond for April, emerald for May, pearl for June, ruby for July and sapphire for September are among the most popular in fine jewelry. Below you will find the full list of birthstones by month, followed by a practical look at the five stones we work with most and how to wear each one.
Birthstones are one of the simplest ways to make jewelry personal. A single stone can stand for a birthday, a child, a parent or a year that changed everything. The tradition is old, but the list most American jewelers use today was standardized in 1912 and has been updated a few times since, which is why some months have more than one option.
The birthstone list, month by month
- January: garnet
- February: amethyst
- March: aquamarine and bloodstone
- April: diamond
- May: emerald
- June: pearl, moonstone and alexandrite
- July: ruby
- August: peridot, spinel and sardonyx
- September: sapphire
- October: opal and tourmaline
- November: topaz and citrine
- December: turquoise, tanzanite and zircon
When a month has several stones, there is no wrong answer. Choose the one whose color the wearer loves, or the one that best suits the way they live.
A closer look at five birthstones
Color is what draws most people to a birthstone, but durability decides how it should be worn. Jewelers use the Mohs scale, from 1 to 10, to describe how well a material resists scratching. It is a useful shortcut when you are deciding between a ring that will be worn daily and a pair of earrings for evenings.
April: diamond
The hardest natural material on the Mohs scale (10), diamond is the birthstone that asks the least of its owner. It suits rings that are worn every day and pieces with many small stones, where sparkle comes from repetition. April birthdays can choose between natural diamonds, like those in the slender Carlota ring, and lab-grown diamonds, like those in the Bourbon earrings. Both are real diamonds; the difference is origin, so always check how the stones are described before you buy.
May: emerald
Emerald is the green that every other green is compared to. It rates 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, so it is hard enough for rings, but most emeralds contain natural inclusions that make them more sensitive to sharp knocks and sudden temperature changes. Gemologists call these inclusions the stone's "garden," and they are part of what makes each emerald one of a kind. Settings that protect the edges of the stone are a good idea for daily wear.
For May birthdays, the Angelina ring centers a heart-shaped emerald, while the Rhode ring pairs a baguette emerald with white sapphire hearts. Browse all of them in our emerald rings collection.
June: pearl
Pearl is the only birthstone on this list that grows inside a living creature, and it is also the softest (about 2.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale). That softness gives pearls their gentle glow and also means they need more care: they should go on after perfume and hairspray, and they should be stored apart from harder stones. In exchange, pearls bring a warmth to the face that no faceted stone can imitate. June birthdays will find necklaces, rings, earrings and a bracelet in our Ocean Pearl collection, where pearls meet 18k yellow gold.
July: ruby
Ruby is red corundum, the same mineral family as sapphire, and it rates 9 on the Mohs scale. That makes it one of the most practical colored stones for a ring that never comes off. Its color ranges from pinkish red to deep crimson, and the most admired rubies hold their color in both daylight and candlelight. The Nanda ring, a half band with seven rubies in 18k white gold, is a quiet way to wear July's stone next to a wedding or engagement ring.
September: sapphire
Most people picture sapphire as blue, and blue is the classic, but corundum also comes in white, pink, yellow and many shades between. Like ruby, it rates 9 on the Mohs scale, which makes sapphire a favorite for everyday rings. The Blue Ivy ring shows the traditional deep blue, while the Damis ring uses white sapphires for a bright, colorless look. See the full range in our sapphire rings collection.
How to make a birthstone gift feel personal
A birthstone is a starting point, not the whole idea. These approaches turn it into something more meaningful.
- Think beyond the wearer's own month. Many parents wear the birthstones of their children, and many couples choose the stone of the month they met or married.
- Use the stone as an accent. A small birthstone set alongside diamonds feels personal without dominating the design.
- Match the stone to the piece. Harder stones (diamond, ruby, sapphire) handle rings and bracelets well. Softer or more included stones (pearl, emerald, opal) are often happiest in earrings and pendants, or in rings that are worn with a little care.
- Combine several months. A family ring or a necklace with one stone for each person is a modern take on the tradition.
Caring for your birthstone jewelry
Each stone has its own needs. In general, clean hard stones with lukewarm water, a drop of mild soap and a soft brush, then dry with a lint-free cloth. Pearls should only be wiped with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Emeralds should stay away from ultrasonic and steam cleaners. Store pieces separately so that harder stones do not scratch softer ones, and take rings off before the gym, the pool or gardening.
When your birthstone is not in our collections
Our ready-to-wear pieces focus on diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies and pearls. If your month calls for a different stone, or if you want several birthstones in one design, our Custom Designs service starts with a consultation, moves to a design proposal you can review, and only goes into production once you approve it.
Keep reading: choosing a birthstone as a present? Our fine jewelry gift guide helps you match the piece to the occasion and her style. For cleaning and storage, see how to care for pearls and colored gemstones.
Whichever month you are celebrating, choose the stone that feels like the person who will wear it. Explore our rings to find a birthstone piece made to mark their story.