Birthstone Finder

Find your birthstone by month — modern, traditional, and alternative options with properties.

Finder

How to Use

1
Enter your birth month or date
Select your birth month from the dropdown menu to see the traditional and modern birthstones associated with that month. For the most complete results, enter the full birth date, as some systems also associate stones with birth year, zodiac sign, and day of the week.
2
Explore alternative birthstone options
Review the multiple birthstone options listed for your month, including traditional stones (from historical lists), modern stones (from the American Gem Trade Association's 1912 and updated lists), and alternative options recognized by different jewelry trade associations. Multiple options exist for most months.
3
Learn about each stone's properties and symbolism
Read about the gemological properties, historical symbolism, and practical considerations (hardness, care requirements) for each birthstone option. This helps you choose a stone that aligns with both your aesthetic preferences and intended use, whether for jewelry, gifts, or collection.

About

Birthstones connect personal identity with the mineral world through a tradition spanning several millennia across multiple cultures. The modern Western birthstone list, standardized in 1912 and periodically updated, assigns gems to each calendar month with cultural, historical, and commercial dimensions intertwined. The tradition serves both deeply personal purposes—people often feel strong attachment to their birthstone as a personal talisman or symbol of identity—and practical purposes for gift-givers seeking meaningful personalized jewelry.

The gemological properties of birthstones vary enormously, reflecting the full spectrum of the mineral kingdom. January's garnet family spans species from red pyrope to orange spessartine, green demantoid, and color-change alexandrite-like varieties. June's pearl stands unique among birthstones as an organic material produced by mollusks rather than a mineral formed in geological environments. October's opal is distinguished by its unique play of color caused by diffraction of light through regular arrays of silica spheres, a phenomenon not found in any other major gem species. These variations in formation, composition, and properties give each birthstone its distinctive character and care requirements.

The commercial history of birthstones is partly a story of industry promotion. The American National Retail Jewelers Association's 1912 standardization was partly motivated by a desire to create clear marketing categories that would drive gift-giving sales. Later additions to the list, such as tanzanite for December (2002) and spinel for August (2016), reflect both genuine gemological recognition of fine gem species and market development goals. This commercial dimension does not diminish the genuine emotional significance birthstones hold for many people—it simply adds context for understanding why the list has evolved and why trade associations play a central role in its stewardship.

FAQ

Who standardized the modern birthstone list?

The modern birthstone list was standardized by the American National Retail Jewelers Association (now Jewelers of America) in 1912 based on earlier historical lists, most notably the Gregorian poem listing birthstones for each month. The list was updated in 1952 by the Jewelry Industry Council, and further additions have been made since: tanzanite was added for December in 2002, and spinel was added for August alongside peridot and sardonyx in 2016 by the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) and Jewelers of America. Different countries maintain slightly different official lists.

What are the historical origins of birthstones?

The birthstone tradition has multiple ancient roots. The twelve stones of Aaron's breastplate in the Hebrew Bible (Exodus 28), representing the twelve tribes of Israel, are one ancient precursor. The twelve foundation stones of the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21 are another source. The first-century Jewish historian Josephus made the connection between these twelve stones, the twelve months, and the twelve signs of the zodiac. Christian bishops in the early centuries wore rings with specific stones for specific purposes. Modern scholarly consensus (notably historian G.F. Kunz in “The Curious Lore of Precious Stones”, 1913) suggests the habit of wearing one stone per month seasonally evolved into wearing one stone for the birth month.

Why does June have three birthstones?

June has three commonly listed birthstones—pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone—reflecting both the historical accumulation of different traditions and industry additions. Pearl was the original June stone from ancient traditions. Moonstone was added on the 1912 list as an alternative. Alexandrite (the rare color-change variety of chrysoberyl, discovered in the Ural Mountains in 1830) was added later as an additional option. Having multiple options gives consumers and gift-givers more flexibility, particularly as natural pearls have become extremely rare and expensive while cultured pearls dominate the market.

Are there birthstones for zodiac signs?

Yes, zodiac birthstones represent an older and separate tradition from the calendar-month system. Each of the twelve zodiac signs (Aries through Pisces) has associated stones that differ from some month-based assignments. Aries (March 21–April 19) is associated with bloodstone and diamond; Taurus (April 20–May 20) with sapphire; and so on. Western astrology, Hindu astrology (which uses the Vedic planetary gem system called Navaratna), and Chinese traditions each have distinct stone-sign assignments. These associations predate the modern standardized birthstone list and continue to be used alongside it.

What should I consider when choosing a birthstone for daily jewelry?

Durability for the intended use is the primary practical consideration. Diamond (April, Mohs 10), ruby and sapphire (July and September, Mohs 9), and alexandrite (June, Mohs 8.5) are excellent for daily-wear rings and bracelets. Garnet (January, 6.5–7.5), amethyst (February, 7), peridot (August, 6.5–7), and moonstone (June, 6–6.5) are appropriate for earrings and pendants with less abrasion risk. Pearl (June, 2.5–4.5), opal (October, 5.5–6.5), and turquoise (December, 5–6) require extra care and are not ideal for rings with daily wear. The AGTA Care and Cleaning Guide provides specific recommendations for each gem species.

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