Birthstones are a tradition with old roots and a modern list. The idea of twelve stones goes back to the twelve stones on the breastplate of the high priest in the Book of Exodus, later linked to the signs of the zodiac and the months. The list used today was drawn up by American jewellers in 1912 and has been amended a few times since.
| Month | Birthstone | Also |
|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | |
| February | Amethyst | |
| March | Aquamarine | Bloodstone |
| April | Diamond | |
| May | Emerald | |
| June | Pearl, moonstone | Alexandrite |
| July | Ruby | |
| August | Peridot, spinel | Sardonyx |
| September | Sapphire | |
| October | Opal, tourmaline | |
| November | Topaz, citrine | |
| December | Turquoise, tanzanite, zircon |
Lists differ slightly between countries. Britain, for instance, names bloodstone for March and sardonyx for August alongside the modern stones.
Which ones can be worn every day
Not every birthstone suits a ring you never take off. Diamond, sapphire, ruby, spinel, garnet, amethyst, aquamarine, topaz and citrine all hold up well. Emerald, opal, tanzanite, pearl, moonstone and turquoise are softer or more brittle and do better in earrings, pendants or a protective setting. See which gemstones can be worn every day.
A stone for the price
Some months are lucky. Garnet, amethyst, citrine, peridot and blue topaz are affordable in large, clean stones. Diamond, emerald and ruby are the costly months, though a small stone or a lab-grown diamond keeps them within reach. A goldsmith can also propose the lesser-known alternative: a spinel for August, a moonstone for June.
Mother's rings and family jewellery
A popular commission is a ring, pendant or bracelet with the birthstones of children, grandchildren or partners. Because the stones differ in hardness and colour, the design takes some thought: a goldsmith will suggest sizes, an order and a setting that protects the softer stones. Describe your piece and list the months.
Zodiac stones
There is a second, older list by star sign rather than by month, mostly quartz and chalcedony: see zodiac stones.
Anniversary stones
There is a similar list for wedding anniversaries: silver for the twenty-fifth, pearl for the thirtieth, ruby for the fortieth, sapphire for the forty-fifth, gold for the fiftieth and diamond for the sixtieth. The years in between have stones too, but those are the ones most people know.