Birthstones by month: the stones and their meanings
A birthstone is a gem assigned to each month of birth. Wearing yours is said to act as a charm, and birthstones are popular gifts for birthdays and anniversaries.
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1.Where birthstones come from
The idea of linking gems with months is said to go back to the twelve stones of the high priest’s breastplate in the Old Testament and the twelve foundation stones of the New Jerusalem in the New Testament. Birthstones for each month as we know them spread from a list set by the American jewelry trade in 1912. Japan set its own list in 1958, and new stones were added in 2021.
2.Birthstones by month (Japanese list)
| Month | Birthstones | Color | Meanings |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Deep red | Truth, friendship |
| February | Amethyst | Purple | Sincerity, peace of mind |
| March | Aquamarine, coral, bloodstone | Pale blue, red, dark green (with red spots) | Wisdom, courage |
| April | Diamond, morganite | Clear, pink | Purity, an eternal bond |
| May | Emerald, jade | Green | Happiness, love |
| June | Pearl, moonstone, alexandrite | White, milky white, green to red (color-changing) | Health, wealth |
| July | Ruby, sphene | Red, yellow-green | Passion, benevolence |
| August | Peridot, sardonyx, spinel | Yellow-green, red-banded, many colors | Married happiness |
| September | Sapphire, kunzite | Blue, pink | Compassion, sincerity |
| October | Opal, tourmaline | Play of color, many colors | Hope, innocence |
| November | Topaz, citrine | Yellow | Friendship, hope |
| December | Turquoise, lapis lazuli, tanzanite | Blue | Success, good luck |
The meanings differ between sources; the table shows common examples.
3.Enjoying birthstones
- Wear your own: as jewelry, or carry a small rough stone as a charm.
- As a gift: a stone for someone’s birth month makes a present that shows you care.
- Pair with your zodiac stone: Western astrology also has guardian stones for each sign. See the 12 zodiac signs.
The meanings of stones as power stones, and how to cleanse them, are introduced in power stones: meanings and how to choose.
4.FAQ
Do birthstones differ by country?
Yes. Most of today’s birthstones go back to a list set by an American jewelers’ association in 1912, but the lists in Japan, the United States, Britain and elsewhere differ a little. Japan’s list was set in 1958 by the national association of jewelry wholesalers, and in 2021 that association and the Japan Jewellery Association added new stones.
My month has several birthstones. Which should I choose?
Any of them. Choose by color, budget or taste.
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