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Updated February 2024
Birthstones are a captivating way to explore the world of gemstones and unlock the mysteries and attributes of each one. From magical legends to qualities that reflect your own, birthstones are a meaningful way to connect with your identity and discover the hidden meanings behind your birth month.
Birthstones are a perfect way to commemorate a birthday or honour a mom, making them a thoughtful gift for a loved one. Best of all, each birthstone has its own powerful metaphysical properties, adding a deeper purpose to each gem.
Below you’ll find a description of each month’s gemstone and its meaning – allowing you to choose a stone by month or by function. You can also click through to each month’s individual post to delve deeper into the mythology of your birthstone.
Keep in mind that birthstones often have multiple meanings and they’re somewhat open to interpretation. While this list is based on my own research and intuitions, I’m a firm believer that the greatest power lies in intention.
If you’re getting a particular vibe or feeling from a stone, trust your gut!
Find out the powers and secrets of your birthstone by clicking on the month you were born below and learn about the fascinating history and special meaning behind your sparkly companion.
Browse Birthstones by Month or Meaning:
January
- Stone: Garnet
- Colour: Dark Red
- Purpose: Success
The birthstone for January is garnet.
Garnet gets its name from the Latin word granatum for pomegranate – thanks to its luscious deep red tone. While garnet actually occurs in colours as varied as green, orange and purple, red garnets are the most commonly recognized.
Garnet is a symbol of friendship that brings health, wealth and success to the wearer.
It provides a protective and calming influence – boosting the courage, hope and self-confidence necessary to achieve great things.
Considered a lucky stone that represents prosperity and abundance, garnet supports accomplishments in all facets of life.
February
- Stone: Amethyst
- Colour: Purple
- Purpose: Focus
The birthstone for February is amethyst.
Amethyst gets its name from the ancient Greek amethystos meaning “not drunk” as it was believed that amethyst would protect its owner from intoxication.
The purple colour is a traditional symbol of Royalty and amethyst was prized by the nobility in the Middle Ages. The rarity of the gem at the time added to its preciousness but now that more sources of amethyst have been found, it is no longer reserved only for the rich and royal.
Amethyst contains the dual forces of fiery energy and restrained logic.
This stone is able to still the mind and create a sense of mental peace and tranquility where creative thinking thrives.
Used for focus and imagination, amethyst fans the spark of new ideas into flames of passion to bring them to life.
March
- Stone: Aquamarine
- Colour: Soft aqua blue
- Purpose: Communication
The birthstone for march is aquamarine.
Aquamarine is named for the latin aqua marina (meaning sea water) and anybody who sees this soft blue stone can understand why.
Like the cool, flowing waters of the ocean it’s named for, aquamarine inspires the calm, rational flow of communication.
It is a stone of cleansing, trust and inner release.
Aquamarine’s soothing, compassionate energy fosters truthfulness and reason, encouraging harmonious interactions with even those with the most confrontational of natures.
April
- Stone: Quartz
- Colour: Clear
- Purpose: Intention
April has two birthstones, the first I’ll discuss is quartz.
Quartz is also known as Rock Crystal or Ice Crystal, from the Greek word krystallos, meaning “ice”. Quartz is the second most abundant mineral on earth, found all over the world.
Quartz is used for many different scientific and mechanical purposes, partly because it’s easily sourced but also for its unique properties. Quartz is able to translate electrical current into precise vibrational frequencies. So precise that you can keep time by it – which is exactly how a quartz watch mechanism works.
Quartz resonates with the individual needs of the wearer.
It has the innate ability to focus, amplify, store and transform any energies channeled through it – holding the energy long enough to help in the manifestation of a chosen goal.
It brings a sense of purpose and clarity – filtering out distractions that may divert the wearer from their chosen path.
April
- Stone: Diamond
- Colour: Clear
- Purpose: Strength
The second, and perhaps more traditional birthstone for April is diamond.
The name diamond derives from the ancient Greek adamas meaning “proper”, “unalterable”, “unbreakable”, “untamed”, and diaphanus meaning “transparent.”. Since diamonds are the hardest natural material on Earth, we can understand why they named it the “unbreakable” stone. In fact, the only thing that can cut a diamond is another diamond.
The legend of the diamond is that the god of mines brought together all of the world’s known gems of all tints and hardnesses. He crushed them and combined them together to create a gem that was stronger and more beautiful than all: the diamond. When you shine a ray of white light through it, a rainbow appears to show all the colours of the gemstones that were used to make it.
Diamonds are composed of pure carbon – the foundational element of life – transformed under intense heat and pressure. Rather than crumpling under these extreme conditions, they become stronger and more beautiful.
Diamond’s unbreakable nature reminds us to stay strong through any adversities. Wear this stone to amplify your energies, radiating strength, courage, and positivity.
May
- Stone: Emerald
- Colour: Spring green
- Purpose: Vitality
The birthstone for May is emerald.
The Emerald stone gets its name from the vulgar Latin esmaralda which derives from the ancient Greek smaragdos meaning “green gem”.
Emeralds have always been prized for their beauty and rarity. Ancient Egyptians used these beautiful stones for jewelry and to accompany royalty into the afterlife – placing the stones in tombs with fallen monarchs.
Like the spring, green Emerald brings a renewed freshness and vitality to the spirit, encompassing the life energy of rebirth and creation.
It fosters hope for the future and sparks personal growth and well-being.
Emerald’s invigorating intensity enhances mental clarity and creativity and attracts abundance in all of life’s experiences.
June
- Stone: Pearl
- Colour: Milky White
- Purpose: Resilience
One of June’s birthstones isn’t actually a stone at all but a pearl.
Pearl is composed of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, formed within the folds of an oyster.
A pearl is the beautiful result of an oyster’s response to stress. An irritating piece of grit coated in layer after layer of nacre until it can no longer harm its host.
Just like its nacre protects the oyster, pearl calms and soothes negative emotions bringing positive, uplifting feelings.
Pearl is a beacon of light during difficult times, illuminating the true self to rise above misfortunes
June
- Stone: Moonstone
- Colour: Milky White
- Purpose: Transition
Another birthstone for June is moonstone.
Milky white with an opalescent glow, moonstone is named for its silvery-white reflection reminiscent of moonlight.
People have always had a strong attraction to the moon. Perhaps because we feel its gravitational pull deep within ourselves. The moon has the ability to change the tides, as well as influence our behaviours and emotions.
Moonstone embodies the mystery and attraction of the moon within its shimmery depths. Wear it as a reminder that, although the moon is constantly changing, it remains whole in all its phases.
Moonstone calms the emotions and provides stability through the transitional phases of life, allowing you to relax into your own natural rhythms.
July
- Stone: Ruby
- Colour: Blood Red
- Purpose: Passion
The birthstone for July is ruby.
Slightly pinker than January’s deep red garnets, rubies are named for the Latin ruber, meaning “red”.
Ruby is a talisman of passion, protection, and prosperity.
Its fiery red flame banishes sadness and increases vitality both in the physical body and the spirit.
Ruby’s energy overcomes exhaustion and fills the wearer with a sense of power that sharpens the mind and brings heightened awareness and concentration.
August
- Stone: Peridot
- Colour: Yellow green
- Purpose: Radiance
The birthstone for August is peridot.
Peridot is the gem quality of the common mineral olivine and is often called “poor man’s emerald” due to its green shade and relative abundance.
In Hawaii, tiny chips of peridot wash up on the shores and are called the tears of Pele, goddess of the elements and volcanoes, “she who shapes the sacred land”. Ancient Egyptians called these stones the “gems of the sun” – believing that they could harness the power of nature and protect the wearer from nightmares and evil spirits.
Associated with the sun, Peridot drives away darkness – both from outside forces and within.
Born of fire and brought to light by the tremendous forces of earthquakes or volcanoes, this explosive energy removes inner blockages and negative patterns, opening the heart and mind to the possibilities of great success.
Peridot brings inner radiance, helping the wearer recognize their own destiny.
September
- Stone: Sapphire
- Colour: Deep Blue
- Purpose: Intuition
The birthstone for September is blue sapphire.
Though sapphires get their name from the Latin sapphirus meaning “blue”, sapphires come in a rainbow of shades (with the notable exception of red sapphires which are classed as rubies).
In the Middle Ages, sapphires were prized for their blue colour, which symbolized the heavens or the divine. Buddhists also bestowed spiritual meaning on sapphires, believing that they brought enlightenment.
Sapphire calms and focuses the mind, allowing instinct to take the lead.
Releasing tensions and unwanted thoughts leaves more room for lightness and joy – restoring balance within the body.
Sapphire’s radiant energy heightens spiritual power, enhancing self-discipline and intuition, augmenting subconscious action towards goals and desires.
October
- Stone: Tourmaline
- Colour: Pink
- Purpose: Self-Love
The birthstone for October is pink tourmaline.
While October birthstones are most commonly represented as being pink, you may be surprised to know that tourmaline comes in several shades – even mixed varieties. Tourmaline gets its name from the Sinhalese tura mali meaning “stone of mixed colours.”
Tourmaline is notable for its pyroelectric & piezoelectric properties – it can become electrically charged through heat and pressure. This trait means that tourmalines have many varied scientific and technological uses beyond jewelry.
The symbolic uses of tourmaline are as varied as its many colours.
Pink Tourmaline clears away old wounds and destructive patterns, building new pathways towards self-love and acceptance.
This stone releases a myriad of negative emotions such as stress, self-doubt, anxiety, and guilt, leaving in their place an open and trusting heart.
Pink tourmaline stimulates spiritual healing, fostering the growth of gentleness, compassion, and understanding towards oneself.
November
- Stone: Citrine
- Colour: Yellow
- Purpose: New Beginnings
The birthstone for November is citrine.
Citrine is a variety of quartz that varies in colour from soft yellow to deeper yellow or even brown. It got its name from the Latin word citrina which means “yellow.”
This bright, sunny yellow colour explains why it is symbolic of positivity and joy.
Citrine encompasses the energizing and life-giving power of the sun.
It’s bright yellow energy clears the mind and stirs the soul into action. Citrine emanates positivity and light.
Useful during fresh beginnings and new pursuits, Citrine’s powers of manifestation and imagination help to transform hopes and dreams into reality.
December
- Stone: Turquoise
- Colour: Light blue
- Purpose: Wisdom
One of the birthstones for December is turquoise.
Though it has been known by many names throughout history, the name turquoise derives from the French turquois meaning “Turkish” because the mineral first came to Europe through Turkey.
Turquoise is a symbol of power, wisdom, and immortality.
Wearing this stone helps with recognition of our own limiting thoughts, uncovering wholeness and truth within and without.
Turquoise stimulates compassion and forgiveness, allowing those who wear it to look beyond their own experiences and widen their understanding to another point of view.
December
- Stone: Blue Zircon
- Colour: Light blue
- Purpose: Confidence
Another birthstone for December is blue zircon (not to be confused with zirconia/cubic zirconia – two very different minerals).
Zircon gets its name from the Persian zargun, meaning “gold-hued” as zircons are available in many colours other than the bright blue typically associated with December.
Zircon is a grounding stone that helps to organize the mind. Use it to clear out old, stagnant ideas that are holding you back from becoming your true self.
Once you’re free from emotional hang-ups, you can move forward with confidence to make your dreams a reality.
