Birthstones by month
Each month has its own gemstone. Below you will find all twelve birthstones in one overview, with their color, meaning and origin. At atelier elisa lee we choose the sturdiest options, so that you can wear your birthstone every day. When we speak about meaning, we are referring to tradition and symbolism.
All birthstones at a glance
January
Grenade
February
Amethyst
March
Aquamarine
April
Diamond
May
Emerald
June
Alexandrite
July
Ruby
August
Peridot
September
Sapphire
October
Tourmaline
November
Citrine
December
Tanzanite
What are birthstones?
A birthstone is the gemstone associated with your birth month. The idea is centuries old. In the biblical book of Exodus, the high priest wears a breastplate with twelve stones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. According to tradition, the historian Flavius Josephus (first century) and later the church father Jerome (fifth century) linked those twelve stones to the twelve months of the year. In 1912, the American National Jewelers’ Association compiled an official list, which remains the basis for most birthstone lists today.
This is why the list sometimes varies from one jeweler to another. At atelier elisa lee, we opt for the most durable options. Opal, for example, is quite delicate.
Birthstone
January — Garnet
A family of silicate minerals, known for its deep, lustrous colour. Thanks to its hardness, garnet is a reliable everyday stone.
Colour: from pink and burgundy to deep garnet red. Garnet also occurs in orange and green.
Meaning: traditionally a stone of loyalty, friendship and protection, often given to those who were going on a journey.
Origin: including Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar and East Africa.
Hardness: 6.5–7.5 (Mohs)
Birthstone
February — Amethyst
The purple variety of quartz, a durable and versatile stone.
Color: from soft lilac to deep violet.
Meaning: the name comes from the Greek "amethystos": not drunk. The Greeks wore the stone as protection against excessive drinking. Today it stands for peace and clarity.
Origin: mainly Brazil, Uruguay and Zambia.
Hardness: 7 (Mohs)
Birthstone
March — Aquamarine
The blue to blue-green variety of beryl, a hard and clear stone.
Color: light blue to sea green.
Meaning: aquamarine is Latin for "sea water". Sailors wore the stone as a talisman for a safe crossing. Today it stands for calm and courage.
Origin: mainly Brazil, Mozambique and Madagascar.
Also used elsewhere: bloodstone
Hardness: 7.5–8 (Mohs)
Birthstone
April — Diamond
The hardest natural substance we know. We use diamonds with US clarity: very small inclusions, invisible to the naked eye.
Color: colorless to white, with plenty of fire and brilliance.
Meaning: the Greek "adamas" means invincible. The diamond stands for strength, loyalty, and eternal love.
Origin: including Botswana, Canada, Russia, and South Africa.
Hardness: 10 (Mohs)
Birthstone
May — Emerald
The green variety of beryl. Natural inclusions are part of an emerald's character. Wear it with care and avoid hard impacts.
Color: deep, vibrant green.
Meaning: symbol of hope, growth, and renewal: the stone of spring.
Origin: mainly Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil.
Hardness: 7.5–8 (Mohs)
Birthstone
Juni — Alexandrite
A rare variant of chrysoberyl and very durable for everyday wear.
Color: changes with the light: blue-green in daylight, purple-red by candlelight.
Meaning: discovered in the Urals (Russia) in the nineteenth century and named after Tsar Alexander II. The stone represents balance, creativity, and renewal.
Origin: originally Russia, now mainly Brazil, Sri Lanka, and East Africa.
Also used in: pearl, moonstone
Hardness: 8.5 (Mohs)
Birthstone
July — Ruby
The red variety of corundum, one of the hardest gemstones in existence.
Colour: from pinkish-red to deep pigeon-blood red.
Meaning: traditionally the stone of passion, courage and vitality.
Origin: including Myanmar, Mozambique, Thailand and Madagascar.
Hardness: 9 (Mohs)
Birthstone
Augustus — Peridot
The gemstone variety of olivine. Wear it with extra care and avoid hard impacts.
Colour: olive green to yellow-green, always in the same colour family.
Meaning: the stone of light and luck. In ancient Egypt, it was considered the stone of the sun.
Origin: including Pakistan, Myanmar, China and the United States. Sometimes even sourced from meteorites.
Also used elsewhere: spinel, sardonyx
Hardness: 6.5–7 (Mohs)
Birthstone
September — Sapphire
Corundum in every color except red. One of the hardest and most durable gemstones.
Color: classic deep blue. Sapphire also comes in pink, yellow, and green.
Meaning: symbol of wisdom, loyalty, and sincerity, traditionally the stone of kings.
Origin: including Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Myanmar, and Australia.
Hardness: 9 (Mohs)
Birthstone
October — Tourmaline
A mineral family with an unparalleled color palette and a firm hardness.
Color: from green and pink to blue, sometimes with multiple colors in one crystal.
Meaning: the name comes from the Sinhalese "toramalli": stone with mixed colors. Symbol of creativity and balance.
Origin: mainly Brazil, Mozambique, Nigeria and Afghanistan.
Also used elsewhere: opal
Hardness: 7–7.5 (Mohs)
Birthstone
November — Citrine
The yellow to orange variety of quartz, a sturdy stone with a warm appearance.
Colour: from soft yellow to warm honey orange.
Meaning: the sunny stone of abundance and joy of life.
Origin: mainly Brazil, as well as Madagascar and Zambia, among others.
Also used elsewhere: topaz
Hardness: 7 (Mohs)
Birthstone
December — Tanzanite
The blue-violet variety of zoisite. Wear it with care and avoid hard impacts.
Colour: violet-blue to deep blue. Due to pleochroism, the colour appears to change depending on the viewing angle.
Meaning: a young stone, only discovered in 1967. Symbol of intuition and new beginnings.
Origin: found only in the Merelani Hills in Tanzania, near Kilimanjaro.
Also used in: turquoise, zircon
Hardness: 6.5–7 (Mohs)
Why our list is different
Other jewelers sometimes use a different stone for the same month. We opt for the most durable options, so your jewelry will last for years.
These are the months where our choice differs:
March: bloodstone elsewhere, aquamarine with us.
June: pearl or moonstone elsewhere, alexandrite with us.
August: spinel or sardonyx elsewhere, peridot with us.
October: opal elsewhere, tourmaline with us.
November: topaz elsewhere, citrine with us.
December: turquoise or zircon elsewhere, tanzanite with us.
From our studio
All birthstone jewelry
Shop the birthstone jewelry
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Birthstone mini nest necklace
Birthstone mini nest necklace
- Regular price
- From €1.600 EUR
- Sale price
- €1.600 EUR
- Regular price
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Birthstone hoop earrings
Birthstone hoop earrings
- Regular price
- From €450 EUR
- Sale price
- €450 EUR
- Regular price
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Ocean birthstone bracelet
Ocean birthstone bracelet
- Regular price
- From €1.400 EUR
- Sale price
- €1.400 EUR
- Regular price
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Birthstone necklace
Birthstone necklace
- Regular price
- From €1.300 EUR
- Sale price
- €1.300 EUR
- Regular price
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Frequently Asked Questions
Birthstone lists vary from one jeweler to another. At atelier elisa lee, we opt for the most durable options. Opal, for example, is fragile.
January: garnet. February: amethyst. March: aquamarine. April: diamond. May: emerald. June: alexandrite. July: ruby. August: peridot. September: sapphire. October: tourmaline. November: citrine. December: tanzanite.
Yes, we can incorporate birthstones into any piece of jewelry. Not every stone is equally suitable for every piece of jewelry: a ring is subjected to greater stress than an earring. We will help you choose in one of our stores.
Take off your jewelry before exercising, washing dishes, and doing chores, and store it separately so it doesn't get scratched. Softer stones such as peridot and tanzanite deserve extra care: avoid hard impacts.
Jewelry from our own studio