Last updated: April 2026
Birthstones have been assigned to each month for centuries — blending tradition, mythology, and gemological science into a deeply personal way to choose jewelry. Whether you are buying a gift or treating yourself, knowing your birthstone's properties, value, and care requirements helps you make a choice you will never regret.
This guide covers every month's birthstone with the honesty and detail you would expect from Bijolina: what each stone actually looks like, how durable it is for daily wear, what you should expect to pay, and how to care for it.
January: Garnet
Most people think garnet is dark red, but garnets exist in every color except blue — from fiery orange (spessartine) to vivid green (tsavorite) to color-changing alexandrite-like varieties. The deep red almandine and pyrope garnets remain the most traditional January birthstone.
- Hardness: 6.5–7.5 (good for most jewelry, be careful with rings)
- Meaning: Protection, safe travels, loyalty
- Price: $20–$500/ct for red varieties; tsavorite and demantoid can reach $3,000+/ct
- Best in: Earrings, pendants, cocktail rings
- Care: Warm soapy water. Avoid ultrasonic for heavily included stones.
February: Amethyst
The purple variety of quartz. Once valued alongside diamonds and rubies, amethyst became widely available when large Brazilian deposits were discovered. Today it offers stunning beauty at accessible prices — deep purple with excellent clarity.
- Hardness: 7 (suitable for all jewelry types)
- Meaning: Calm, wisdom, sobriety
- Price: $5–$50/ct. Exceptional deep purple "Siberian" quality can reach $100+/ct
- Best in: Any jewelry type. Large stones are affordable, making statement rings accessible
- Care: Avoid prolonged sun exposure (can fade). Clean with warm soapy water.
March: Aquamarine
A blue variety of beryl (the same mineral family as emerald). Aquamarine ranges from pale sky blue to deep ocean blue, with deeper colors commanding higher prices. Unlike emerald, aquamarine is typically very clean — eye-clean stones are the norm.
- Hardness: 7.5–8 (excellent for daily wear)
- Meaning: Serenity, courage, clear communication
- Price: $50–$500/ct for fine blue. Larger stones are more valuable per carat.
- Best in: Rings, pendants, earrings — universally flattering blue looks stunning in any setting
- Care: Durable and low-maintenance. Standard cleaning methods work well.
April: Diamond
April's birthstone needs little introduction. The hardest natural material on earth (10 on Mohs scale), diamonds are the ultimate expression of durability and brilliance. For April babies, every piece of diamond jewelry doubles as a birthstone piece. See our complete 4Cs guide for everything you need to know about diamond quality.
- Hardness: 10 (indestructible in normal wear)
- Meaning: Invincibility, eternal love, clarity
- Price: $1,000–$15,000+/ct for mined; 60–80% less for lab-grown
- Best in: Everything — rings, studs, pendants, bracelets
May: Emerald
Cleopatra's obsession. Emeralds are defined by their vivid green color — a pure green to slightly bluish green with strong saturation. Unlike most gemstones, inclusions in emeralds are expected and even celebrated (called "jardin" — French for garden).
- Hardness: 7.5–8 (hard, but inclusions make them more fragile than hardness suggests)
- Meaning: Rebirth, fertility, wisdom, growth
- Price: $200–$5,000+/ct. Colombian origin commands highest prices.
- Best in: Protective settings (bezel, halo) for rings. Pendants and earrings are safer for fragile stones.
- Care: Never ultrasonic clean. Warm soapy water only. Most are oiled — avoid heat and chemicals.
June: Pearl, Alexandrite, Moonstone
June has three birthstones, offering extraordinary range.
Pearl
The only gemstone created by a living organism. Freshwater pearls ($50–$500) offer accessible luxury. Akoya pearls ($200–$2,000) provide classic Japanese quality. South Sea and Tahitian pearls ($500–$10,000+) are the pinnacle. Hardness: 2.5–4.5 — the softest birthstone. Avoid chemicals, perfume, hairspray.
Alexandrite
The "emerald by day, ruby by night." Changes color from green (daylight) to red-purple (incandescent light). One of the rarest gemstones on earth. Fine specimens: $5,000–$50,000+/ct. Lab-grown alexandrite ($100–$500/ct) makes this magical stone accessible.
Moonstone
A feldspar mineral with an ethereal, floating glow called adularescence. Hardness: 6–6.5. Best in earrings and pendants (too soft for daily-wear rings). $10–$100/ct.
July: Ruby
The king of colored gemstones. A fine ruby is rarer than a fine diamond. Rubies are corundum (same mineral as sapphire) with chromium creating the red color. "Pigeon blood" red from Myanmar commands the highest prices of any colored gemstone.
- Hardness: 9 (second only to diamond — perfect for engagement rings)
- Meaning: Passion, courage, vitality
- Price: $500–$15,000+/ct. Heat treatment is standard and accepted.
- Best in: Any jewelry type. Exceptional durability makes rubies ideal for rings.
- Care: Extremely durable. Standard cleaning. Ultrasonic safe (unless heavily included).
August: Peridot and Spinel
Peridot
A volcanic gemstone with a distinctive olive to lime green color. One of the few gemstones that occurs in only one color (green). Found in lava flows, meteorites, and deep in the earth's mantle. Hardness: 6.5–7. $50–$400/ct.
Spinel
Added as an August birthstone in 2016. Spinel has been confused with ruby for centuries — the "Black Prince's Ruby" in the British Crown Jewels is actually spinel. Available in red, pink, blue, purple. Hardness: 8. $200–$3,000/ct for fine colors. Excellent durability for rings.
September: Sapphire
While "sapphire" evokes blue, sapphires exist in every color except red. Blue sapphires from Kashmir, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka are the most valued. Padparadscha (pinkish-orange) sapphires are the rarest variety.
- Hardness: 9 (exceptional — perfect for daily-wear jewelry)
- Meaning: Wisdom, nobility, faithfulness
- Price: $200–$10,000+/ct for blue. Padparadscha: $5,000–$30,000+/ct
- Best in: Everything. Sapphires are the #1 colored gemstone for engagement rings.
- Care: Nearly indestructible. All cleaning methods safe. See our cleaning guide.
October: Opal and Tourmaline
Opal
Famous for its "play of color" — a kaleidoscopic shifting of spectral colors unique in the gem world. Australian black opals are the most valued. Hardness: 5.5–6.5. Fragile — avoid impact, heat, and dehydration. $50–$5,000+/ct for fine play of color. Best in earrings and pendants with protective settings.
Tourmaline
The rainbow gemstone — available in more colors than any other mineral. Paraiba tourmaline (neon blue-green) is the most valuable variety at $5,000–$50,000/ct. Standard tourmalines: $50–$500/ct. Hardness: 7–7.5. Good for all jewelry types.
November: Topaz and Citrine
Topaz
Imperial topaz (orange-pink) is the rarest and most valuable variety. Blue topaz (treated) is the most common and affordable. Hardness: 8 — excellent durability. $5–$50/ct for blue, $200–$2,000+/ct for imperial.
Citrine
The golden-yellow variety of quartz. Natural citrine is rare; most commercial citrine is heat-treated amethyst. Warm honey to deep orange tones. Hardness: 7. Very affordable: $10–$50/ct. Makes stunning statement pieces in large sizes.
December: Tanzanite, Zircon, Turquoise
Tanzanite
Found in only one place on earth — a five-square-mile area near Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Blue-violet color unlike any other gemstone. Deposits estimated to be exhausted within a generation, making it increasingly scarce and valuable. Hardness: 6.5. $200–$1,500/ct. Best in earrings and pendants (too soft for everyday rings).
Zircon
Not to be confused with cubic zirconia. Natural zircon is one of the oldest minerals on earth (4.4 billion years). Blue zircon has exceptional brilliance and fire. Hardness: 7.5. $50–$400/ct.
Turquoise
The opaque blue-green stone prized by civilizations for 5,000+ years. Quality depends on color saturation and matrix pattern. Hardness: 5–6. $5–$100/ct. Stabilization treatment is common and accepted.
Birthstone Gift Ideas by Budget
| Budget | Gift Idea |
|---|---|
| Under $200 | Birthstone stud earrings, pendant necklace, simple ring |
| $200–$500 | Quality gemstone pendant with gold chain, gemstone hoop earrings |
| $500–$1,500 | Fine gemstone ring, multi-stone bracelet, halo pendant |
| $1,500+ | Collector-quality gemstone, custom setting, heirloom pieces |
For personalized gift ideas, see our gift guide for her and first fine jewelry purchase guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I wear a birthstone that is not my month?
Absolutely. Birthstone assignments are traditions, not rules. Wear any gemstone that resonates with you. Many people choose stones based on color preference, meaning, or simply beauty.
2. Which birthstones are most durable for rings?
Diamond (April), ruby (July), and sapphire (September) are the most durable at hardness 9–10. Emerald (May) and aquamarine (March) at 7.5–8 are also suitable with care. Avoid opal, pearl, and moonstone in daily-wear rings.
3. Which birthstone is most expensive?
Ruby (July) and alexandrite (June) command the highest prices per carat among birthstones. Fine Kashmir sapphire and Colombian emerald also reach exceptional values.
4. Which birthstone is most affordable?
Citrine (November), amethyst (February), and blue topaz (November) are the most affordable birthstones, all under $50/ct for fine quality. This makes large, dramatic pieces accessible.
5. Are birthstone colors always the same?
No. Most birthstones come in a range of colors. Sapphire exists in every color. Garnet spans red to green to orange. Tourmaline covers the entire spectrum. The "traditional" color is just the most associated shade.
6. Can birthstones be lab-grown?
Yes. Diamond, sapphire, ruby, emerald, alexandrite, and spinel all have lab-grown versions that are chemically identical to natural stones at 60–90% lower cost. See our color grade guide.
7. What is the best birthstone jewelry gift?
Pendant necklaces are the safest gift — no sizing needed, universally flattering, and showcase the stone beautifully. Stud earrings are the second-best option.
8. Do birthstones have healing properties?
Many cultures attribute healing and spiritual properties to gemstones. While these beliefs are not scientifically proven, the emotional and symbolic value of birthstones is real and meaningful to many wearers.
9. How should I care for my birthstone jewelry?
Harder stones (diamond, sapphire, ruby) are low-maintenance. Softer stones (pearl, opal, moonstone) require gentle handling. See our cleaning guide for specifics.
10. Can I combine multiple birthstones in one piece?
Yes — mother's rings with children's birthstones are one of the most popular custom jewelry designs. Family birthstone pendants and stackable rings are also beautiful options.
Explore Birthstone Jewelry at Bijolina
At Bijolina, our collection features gemstones in every color of the spectrum. Every piece comes with certification and our lifetime manufacturing warranty.
Use code WELCOME10 at checkout for 10% off your first purchase. Every order includes free shipping, a 14-day return window, and our lifetime warranty on all fine jewelry.