Birthstones List - Information and Charts

Many believe that the Breastplate of Aaron is the basis for the origin of birthstones (also known as natal stones). The instructions for fabricating the Breastplate are in Exodus 28, 15-30: and call for the twelve stones of the Twelve Tribes of Israel to be set in four rows. These gemstones corresponded to the zodiac signs of the time.

Our present calendar month system was not known at the time of exodus and today birthstones have come to be more commonly associated with the calendar month of birth although many people prefer using stones from astrological charts to represent their birth or natal stone.

Birthstone Colors

Birthstones Colors - by Month

Birthstones - by Month

Birthstone Pictures

Birthstones of Ancient Cultures

Zodiac Birthstones

Month

Modern
Birthstones

Mystical
Birthstones

Ayurvedic
Birthstones

January

  Garnet

  Emerald

  Garnet

February

  Amethyst

  Bloodstone

  Amethyst

March

  Aquamarine

  Jade

  Bloodstone

April

  Diamond

  Opal

  Diamond

May

  Emerald

  Sapphire

  Agate

June

  Pearl
  Moonstone

  Moonstone

  Pearl

July

  Ruby

  Ruby

  Ruby

August

  Peridot

  Diamond

  Sapphire

September

  Sapphire

  Agate

  Moonstone

October

  Opal
  Tourmaline

  Jasper

  Opal

November

  Yellow Topaz
  Citrine

  Pearl

  Topaz

December

  Blue Topaz
  Turquoise
  Tanzanite

  Onyx

  Ruby

Birthstones of the Zodiac

For more detailed information about dates and alternate Zodiac birthstones, see Zodiac Chart II and Zodiac Chart III for pictures of birthstones for the Star Signs.

Aquarius

Jan. 21 - Feb.18

  Garnet

Pisces

Feb. 19 - Mar. 20

  Amethyst

Aries

Mar. 21 - Apr. 20

  Bloodstone

Taurus

Apr. 21 - May 21

  Sapphire

Gemini

May 22 - Jun. 21

  Agate

Cancer

Jun. 22 - Jul. 22

  Emerald

Leo

Jul. 23 - Aug. 23

  Onyx

Virgo

Aug. 24 - Sep.22

  Carnelian

Libra

Sep. 23 - Oct. 23

  Chrysolite (Peridot)
  Aventurine

Scorpio

Oct. 24 - Nov. 22

  Beryl

Sagittarius

Nov. 23 - Dec. 21

  Topaz

Capricorn

Dec. 22 - Jan. 20

  Ruby

The Modern Birthstone list is the official birthstone list from the American National Association of Jewelers, Jewelers of America. These gemstones were officially adopted in 1912. In the US, this is the accepted list. Tanzanite was added as an additional birthstone for December by the American Gem Trade Association in October 2002.

Mystical Birthstones are of Tibetan origin and date back over a thousand years.

The Ayurvedic birthstone list is from Indian medicine and beliefs dating back to ancient India (1500 BC).

Colored stones evolved as talismans and amulets. They were thought to offer predictions for the future, to protect the wearer from harm and to aid healing. As such, they became important traditions in many religious practices. It was believed that planets influenced the stones and that the stones transmitted powers given by the corresponding planets. In earlier times these stones were know as natal stones.

Index to Gemstone Information

Gemstones Facts & Descriptions

History and pictures of gemstones in rough and finished form.

Jewelry by Type:

Jewelry made with a particular stone: by color or by gem stone or by birthstone.

Handcrafted designer art jewelry catalog

Cabochons and rough
available for custom jewelry design.