Birthstone Lists

If you read our blog from April 2023 about the origin of the birthstone, you will have gleaned there's actually more than one list of birthstones depending on beliefs, traditions, religions etc.  The signs of the zodiac were attributed to months and birthstones/gems were assigned believing the powers and properties they contained and could transmit were enhanced during this periods, influenced by the corresponding planets.  

Coloured stones evolved as amulets and talismans and the practice of wearing them as jewellery continues.  These were often known as natal stones.

In modern times, often the colour of the stone is chosen above the stone itself.  Although we now use the Modern List (established 1912) there is a traditional list and an ancient list.... (see blog) and there's a list for the Zodiac, a medieval list, a Hindu list, tibetan list, Ayurvedic list.... and on it goes.  In addition, some lists cross over and as stones were added by jewellers across the world with the scarcity of some gems, there are also crossovers.  So for ease of reference we've thrown them all in one spot.  Where there are multiple choices (crossovers depending on sources) we have put the most commonly referred to in bold).

Best advice?  If you're keen, learn about the stones themselves and decide what they mean to you and which you are drawn to!

 

MONTH	MODERN   (fixed in 1912, added to since)	TRADITIONAL   (15th Century societal traditions)	MYSTICAL     (Tibetan origin)	AYURVEDIC   (from ancient indian medicine)	ANCIENT
JANUARY	Garnet, Rose Quartz, Moss Agate, Amethyst	Garnet	Emerald	Garnet	Red Garnet, Rose Quartz, Ruby
FEBRUARY	Amethyst, Aquamarine, Bloodstone, White Topaz	Amethyst	Bloodstone	Amethyst	Amethyst, Onyx, Moonstone
MARCH	Aquamarine, Bloodstone	Bloodstone, Aquamarine	Jade	Bloodstone	Diamond, Bloodstone, Rock Crystal
APRIL	Diamond, Clear Quartz	Diamond	Opal	Diamond	Quartz (Rock Crystal), White Sapphire, Diamond
MAY	Emerald, Rose Quartz	Emerald	Sapphire	Agate	Agate, Chrysoprase, Emerald,  Aquamarine
JUNE	Alexandrite, Pearl, Moonstone	Pearl, Moonstone, Alexandrite	Moonstone	Pearl	Agate
JULY	Ruby	Ruby	Ruby	Ruby	Carnelian, Ruby, Onyx
AUGUST	Peridot, Green Turmaline, Spinel	Sardonyx, Peridot, Spinel	Diamond	Sapphire	Jade, Carnelian
SEPTEMBER	Sapphire, Jasper	Sapphire	Agate	Moonstone	Lapis Lazuli, Blue Sapphire, Zircon
OCTOBER	Opal, Tourmaline	Tourmaline, Opal, Pink Tourmaline	Jasper	Opal	Pink Tourmaline, Zircon, Aquamarine
NOVEMBER	Yellow Topaz, Citrine, Beryl	Citrine, Imperial Topaz	Pearl, Citrine	Topaz, Pearl	Imperial Topaz, Diamond
DECEMBER	Topaz, Tanzanite, Turquoise, Blue Zircon, Blue Topaz, Onyx	Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Blue Topaz, Tanzanite, Zircon	Zircon, Turquoise, Onyx	Black Onyx, Ruby	Ruby, Turquoise

 

STAR SIGN	DATES	STONE
♒Aquarius (Water Bearer)	January 20–February 18	Amethyst, Amber, Garnet, Moss Agate, Jasper, Black Spinel, Turquoise, Sapphire, Aquamarine
♓ Pisces (Fish)	February 19–March 20	Aquamarine, Jade, Garnet, Amethyst, Diamond, Jade, Tourmaline
♈ Aries (Ram)	March 21–April 19	Diamond, Clear Quartz, Rock Crystal, Bloodstone, Emerald, Red Jasper, Ruby, Carnelian
♉Taurus (Bull)	April 20–May 20	Emerald, Sapphire, Chrysoprase, Fire Opal, Rose Quartz, Azurite, Carnelian, Lapis lazuli
♊Gemini (Twins)	May 21–June 21	Pearl, Moonstone, Peridot, Agate, Black Onyx, Citrine, Quartz Crystal
♋Cancer (Crab)	June 22–July 22	Ruby, Carnelian, Emerald, Pearl, Moonstone, Aquamarine, Green Aventurine
♌ Leo (Lion)	July 23–August 22	Peridot, Onyx, Spinel, Sardonyx, Ruby, Tigers Eye, Amber, Rock Crystal
♍Virgo (Virgin)	August 23–September 22	Blue Sapphire, Lapis Lazuli, Carnelian, Peridot, Sardonyx, Spessartite Garnet, Citrine, Azurite, Rhodocroisite
♎Libra (Balance)	September 23–October 23	Opal, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Chrysoprase, Green Aventurine, Agate, Citrine, Tourmaline
♏ Scorpio (Scorpion)	October 24–November 21	Topaz, Citrine, Beryl, Zircon, Blue Topaz, Rhodonite, Carnelian, Garnet, Ruby
♐Sagittarius (Archer)	November 22–December 21	Turquoise, Blue Topaz, Topaz, Amethyst, Sodalite, Malachite, Black Onyx, Jet
♑ Capricorn (Goat)	December 22–January 19	Garnet, Rose Quartz, Ruby, Sapphire, Snowflake Obsidian

 

If you're really getting into this we highly recommend checking out Bernadine Jewellery who have REALLY done an awful lot of research!

 

 

Resources:

International Gem Society

National Association of Jewelers of America

NAJ UK

Mindat

Farmers Almanac

"The Curious Lore of Precious Stones" - George Frederick Kunz, 1913