Birthstones by month

The modern birthstone list, first set by the Jewelers of America in 1912 and updated since. Some months have more than one stone.

MonthBirthstoneColorHardness (Mohs)
JanuaryGarnetDeep red6.5–7.5
FebruaryAmethystPurple7
MarchAquamarinePale blue7.5–8
BloodstoneDark green with red spots6.5–7
AprilDiamondClear10
MayEmeraldGreen7.5–8
JunePearlWhite or cream2.5–4.5
AlexandriteGreen by day, red under lamplight8.5
MoonstoneMilky white with a blue sheen6–6.5
JulyRubyRed9
AugustPeridotOlive to lime green6.5–7
SpinelRed, pink, blue or black8
SardonyxBands of red and white6.5–7
SeptemberSapphireBlue9
OctoberOpalPlay of rainbow colors5.5–6.5
TourmalinePink, green or many colors7–7.5
NovemberTopazGolden orange (imperial topaz)8
CitrineYellow to amber7
DecemberTurquoiseSky blue to green5–6
TanzaniteViolet-blue6–7
ZirconBlue (most popular), clear or brown6–7.5

What each birthstone means