Many Western gem scholars agree that the tradition of birthstones arose from the Breastplate of Aaron: a ceremonial religious garment set with twelve gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of Israel and also corresponded with the twelve signs of the zodiac and the twelve months of the year.
Because ancient people did not always classify gemstones by mineral species like we do, there is some debate about which gemstones were set in the breastplate and why. Because of this, different cultures around the world have developed different birth stone lists. The modern day list that you see below is only the most recent list: some older lists still exist. Some also argue that the proper way to assign gemstones is according to astrological sign and not month. How you interpret these charts is up to your imagination!
Early civilizations such as India and Babylon have attributed gemstones with magical properties. Over time, astrologers assigned auspicous gems of certain colors to the twelve signs of the zodiac to help people influence the planets in their favor.
| Sign |
Dates |
Stone |
| Aquarius |
January 21 - February 19 |
Garnet |
| Pisces |
February 20 - March 20 |
Amethyst |
| Aries |
March 21 - April 20 |
Bloodstone |
| Taurus |
April 21 - May 20 |
Sapphire |
| Gemini |
May 21 - June 21 |
Agate |
| Cancer |
June 22 - July 22 |
Emerald |
| Leo |
July 23 - August 23 |
Onyx |
| Virgo |
August 24 - September 23 |
Carnelian |
| Libra |
September 24 - October 23 |
Peridot |
| Scorpio |
October 24 - November 22 |
Beryl |
| Sagittarius |
November 23 - December 21 |
Topaz |
| Capricorn |
December 22 - January 20 |
Ruby |
| Month |
Traditional Birthstone(s) |
Modern Birthstone(s) |
Mystical Birthstone |
Ayurvedic Birthstone |
| January |
garnet |
garnet |
emerald |
garnet |
| February |
amethyst |
amethyst |
bloodstone |
amethyst |
| March |
bloodstone, jasper |
aquamarine |
jade |
bloodstone |
| April |
diamond, sapphire |
diamond |
opal |
diamond |
| May |
emerald, agate |
emerald |
sapphire |
agate |
| June |
alexandrite, emerald |
moonstone, pearl |
moonstone |
pearl |
| July |
ruby, onyx |
ruby |
ruby |
ruby |
| August |
sardonyx, carnelian |
peridot |
diamond |
sapphire |
| September |
sapphire, peridot |
sapphire |
agate |
moonstone |
| October |
tourmaline, aquamarine |
opal, tourmaline |
jasper |
opal |
| November |
citrine, topaz |
topaz, citrine |
pearl |
topaz |
| December |
zircon, ruby |
turquoise, blue zircon |
onyx |
ruby |
The Gregorian calendar has poems matching each month with its birthstone. These are traditionally the stones in English-speaking societies. It is not known whether these verses below are of the originally Gregorian calendar or not. In fact Tiffany & Co. published these poems "of unknown author" for the first time in a pamphlet in 1870.
By her who in January was born
No gem save garnet shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.
The February born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they, the amethyst will wear.
By her who in March was born
No gem save bloodstone shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.
She who from April dates her years,
diamonds shall wear,
lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow.
Who first beholds the light of day
In spring's sweet, flower month of May
And wears an emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and a loving wife.
By her who in June was born
No gem save pearls shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.
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The gleaming ruby should adorn,
All those who in July are born,
For thus they'll be exempt and free,
From lover's doubts and anxiety.
Wear a peridot or for thee,
No conjugal fidelity,
The August born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved; alone.
A maiden born when autumn leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze,
A sapphire on her brow should bind;
To bring her joy and peace of mind.
October's child is born for woe,
And life's vicissitudes must know,
But lay an opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.
Who first comes to this world below
In dreary November's fog and snow,
Should prize the topaz amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.
If cold December gave you birth
The month of snow and ice and mirth
Place on your hand a turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate'er you do.
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—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
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