Birthstones are gemstones that represent each month of the year. They are thought to bring good luck, health, and prosperity to those born in their corresponding month. Many people enjoy wearing jewelry featuring their birthstone. But what are the birthstones for each month and what colors are they?
January – Garnet
The birthstone for January is garnet, which is most commonly seen in a deep red color. However, garnets can also form in other colors like green, orange, pink, purple, yellow, brown, and black. The name “garnet” comes from the Latin word “granatum” meaning “seed-like” in reference to the gemstone’s resemblance to the bright red seeds of a pomegranate fruit. Red garnets are the most traditional type of garnet used for January birthstones.
February – Amethyst
February’s birthstone is amethyst, a purple variety of quartz. The most prized amethyst gems feature a deep purple hue. However, amethyst can range from pale lilac to deep violet in color. The ancient Greeks believed amethyst jewels could prevent intoxication, which is how the gemstone got its name. “Amethyst” comes from the Greek word “amethystos” meaning “not drunken.”
March – Aquamarine
The March birthstone is aquamarine, a pale blue-green variety of the mineral beryl. Aquamarine gets its serene color from trace amounts of iron. The more intense the blue-green color in an aquamarine gem, the more prized it becomes. Some aquamarines can feature very faint hues while others can appear more grayish-blue. The name “aquamarine” comes from the Latin phrase “aqua marina” meaning “water of the sea” due to its ocean-like color tones.
April – Diamond
Diamond is the birthstone for April. Diamonds are typically colorless or appear white when they are in their purest form. However, trace elements can influence diamonds to form in various colors like yellow, brown, pink, blue, green, and black. The most popular diamonds have a sparkling, transparent white appearance. Diamonds are the hardest known natural material and are valued for their incredible brilliance and fire.
May – Emerald
Emerald is the green variety of beryl that serves as the birthstone for May. Emeralds range in color from bluish-green to pure green to slightly yellowish-green. The vibrant green color of emeralds comes from trace amounts of chromium and vanadium. The word “emerald”originates from the Greek word “smaragdus” meaning green gem. Emeralds are one of the four traditional precious gemstones along with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
June – Pearl, Alexandrite, Moonstone
June has three birthstones associated with it: pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone. Pearls form in mollusks and can range in color from white, cream, gray, pink, yellow, green, blue, and black. They have a classic luminous sheen. Alexandrite is a rare color-changing variety of chrysoberyl that appears green in daylight but turns reddish-purple under incandescent light. Moonstone is a feldspar mineral that displays a blue or white iridescent sheen called adularescence.
July – Ruby
Ruby is the deep red birthstone for July. Ruby derives its red color from the element chromium. The most desired color for rubies is a vibrant, rich crimson. Rubies that are too light or have too much purple or orange are less valuable. The word “ruby” comes from the Latin word “ruber” meaning red. Ruby is one of the four traditional precious gemstones along with diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
August – Peridot
Peridot is a yellowish-green gem variety of the mineral olivine that serves as the birthstone for August. It’s sometimes called “evening emerald” because its green color can resemble emeralds. The vivid green hue comes from the composition of the iron in peridot’s chemical structure. Fine peridot gems have a deep green color without any hints of brown or yellow. The ancient Egyptians were known to mine peridot stones on the volcanic island now known as St. John’s Island in the Red Sea.
September – Sapphire
Sapphire, the September birthstone, forms in a variety of colors. The most well-known and coveted shade of sapphire is blue. Blue sapphire ranges from very pale blue to deep indigo in tone. Fancy colored sapphires also occur in many other colors like pink, yellow, orange, green, purple, and black. Sapphire is one of the four traditional precious gemstones along with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds.
October – Opal, Tourmaline
The October birthstone options are opal and tourmaline. Opals occur in an array of colors and feature stunning iridescent flashes of color called opalescence. Tourmaline also forms in virtually every color, with the most common being black, pink, and multicolored watermelon tourmaline. Both opal and tourmaline can display all the colors of the rainbow, fitting the time of year when autumn leaves change into a colorful array.
November – Topaz, Citrine
November has two birthstones: topaz and citrine. Topaz commonly occurs in yellow, orange and blue hues. Blue topaz is the most coveted. Citrine is a yellow variety of quartz, ranging from very pale yellow to a deep amber shade. Both gemstones are known for their durability and brilliance. Citrine gets its name from the French word “citron” meaning lemon due to its lemon-like color tones.
December – Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Tanzanite
Turquoise is the traditional birthstone for December. Turquoise ranges from sky blue to bluish-green in color. It has been prized as a gemstone for thousands of years by ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Aztecs, Chinese, and Native Americans. In later years, two additional gemstones joined turquoise as December birthstones: tanzanite and lapis lazuli. Tanzanite is a vivid violet-blue stone discovered in the 1960s. Lapis lazuli is an intensely blue gemstone that has been popular for thousands of years.
Conclusion
In summary, birthstones come in a wide variety of colors spanning the entire spectrum. Traditional birthstones first arose from the Breastplate stones of the Jewish High Priest and later expanded into our familiar monthly set. The unique colors and properties of each birthstone make them meaningful gifts for loved ones born in a particular month.
| Month | Birthstone(s) | Colors |
|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Deep red, green, orange, pink, purple, yellow, brown, black |
| February | Amethyst | Pale lilac to deep purple |
| March | Aquamarine | Pale blue-green |
| April | Diamond | Colorless, white, yellow, brown, pink, blue, green, black |
| May | Emerald | Green |
| June | Pearl, Alexandrite, Moonstone | White, cream, gray, pink, yellow, green, blue, black; color change green to red; blue & white iridescence |
| July | Ruby | Rich red |
| August | Peridot | Yellowish-green |
| September | Sapphire | Blue, pink, yellow, orange, green, purple, black |
| October | Opal, Tourmaline | Multicolor iridescence; wide color range including black, pink, multicolor |
| November | Topaz, Citrine | Yellow, orange, blue; pale yellow to deep amber |
| December | Turquoise, Tanzanite, Lapis Lazuli | Blue-green; violet-blue; deep blue |
