Birthstone Stones: Complete Guide to Birthstones by Month [2025]
Complete birthstone chart with traditional & modern stones, meanings, prices ($5-$20K/carat), and authentication tips. GIA-certified guide updated 2025.
What are birthstone stones?
Birthstones are gemstones assigned to each of the 12 calendar months. The modern list was standardized in 1912 by the National Association of Jewelers, with updates in 1952 adding alternatives like aquamarine for March.
Most valuable birthstones: Diamond (April), Ruby (July), Emerald (May), Sapphire (September), Alexandrite (June).
Most affordable: Amethyst (February), Citrine (November), Turquoise (December).
Quick Birthstone Reference
Find your birthstone at a glance. Select your birth month below to explore detailed information about your gemstone.
Introduction
The Birthstone Confusion
Over 8 million people search for birthstone information monthly. But confusion arises fast: some sources list garnet as January's only option, while others offer three distinct choices for December. Traditional versus modern lists? Prices ranging from $5 to $20,000 per carat for the same category?
This 2025 guide cuts through confusion with gemological facts and verified pricing data.
What This Guide Covers
- Traditional vs Modern birthstone lists - Full history from 1912 to 2025, including Japan's 2021 additions
- All 12 months detailed - Meanings, properties, origins, and color variations
- Real price data - Average cost per carat from most affordable to most expensive
- Quality assessment - Setting styles by durability, certification checklist
- Authentication tips - Red flags to avoid and how to verify GIA certificates
Why Trust This Guide
This guide combines gemological expertise with market research. Every price range references current data from verified sources. All stone properties align with GIA (Gemological Institute of America) standards—the global authority in gem identification.
JOALYS sources every gemstone with full mine-to-customer traceability, certified by GIA or AGS (American Gem Society).
What Are Birthstones?
Quick Definition
Birthstones are gemstones representing each of the 12 calendar months, worn for personal significance or aesthetic preference. The tradition combines ancient cultural beliefs with modern standardization by jewelry industry organizations.
Contemporary birthstone selections prioritize personal choice, color preference, and budget over strict birth month assignments.
Why Birthstones Matter Today
Birthstone jewelry represents approximately 15% of all gemstone jewelry sales in the United States.
Key drivers:
- Gift-giving convenience - Simplifies jewelry selection for birthdays and milestones
- Personalization trend - Offers affordable customization in mass production era
- Meaningful alternative - Carries symbolic significance beyond generic gifts
- Market access - Online retailers democratized access to certified gemstones
Birthstone Chart: Traditional vs Modern
The complete chart below compares traditional (1912) and modern (1952+) assignments, showing primary colors and Mohs hardness ratings.
The History of Birthstones
Ancient Origins: Aaron's Breastplate
The earliest recorded connection between gemstones and calendar periods appears in Exodus (28:15-30), describing High Priest Aaron's ceremonial breastplate adorned with 12 distinct stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel.
The Josephus interpretation: In the 1st century CE, historian Flavius Josephus documented in "Antiquities of the Jews" that scholars believed Aaron's 12 stones corresponded to the 12 zodiac signs and months.
Modern Standardization (1912-2025)
1912 - National Association of Jewelers (NAJ): Definitive standardization during Kansas City convention established "traditional" assignments.
1952 - Jewelry Industry Council of America (JICA): Updated list included alexandrite, citrine, pink tourmaline, and emphasized aquamarine over bloodstone.
2002 - American Gem Trade Association (AGTA): Added tanzanite to December.
2016 - Jewelers of America: Spinel joined peridot for August.
2021 - Japan Jewellery Association: Added 10 new stones including coral, iolite, and morganite.
Birthstone Price Guide: What to Expect
Understanding birthstone pricing helps consumers make informed decisions and set realistic budgets. Prices vary dramatically—from affordable amethyst at $5 per carat to Kashmir sapphires exceeding $80,000 per carat.
Birthstone Price Comparison Per Carat
| Birthstone | Price Range ($/carat) | Value Category |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond (Apr) | $2,000-$20,000+ | Ultra-Premium |
| Alexandrite (Jun) | $2,000-$12,000+ | Ultra-Premium |
| Ruby (Jul) | $500-$10,000+ | Premium |
| Emerald (May) | $500-$5,000+ | Premium |
| Sapphire (Sep) | $400-$5,000+ | Premium |
| Aquamarine (Mar) | $50-$500 | Mid-Range |
| Garnet (Jan) | $20-$2,000 | Affordable-Premium |
| Topaz (Nov) | $5-$800 | Affordable-Premium |
| Peridot (Aug) | $50-$450 | Affordable |
| Amethyst (Feb) | $5-$50 | Budget |
| Citrine (Nov) | $10-$100 | Budget |
| Turquoise (Dec) | $5-$300 | Budget-Mid |
How to Choose Birthstone Jewelry
Selecting birthstone jewelry requires balancing aesthetic preference, durability for intended use, quality factors, and budget.
Durability: Understanding Mohs Hardness
Durability requirements vary dramatically based on how and when jewelry will be worn. Mohs hardness serves as the primary indicator for suitability.
Everyday Wear (Daily Rings, Bracelets)
Minimum requirement: Mohs 7+
Recommended birthstones:
- Excellent (Mohs 8-10): Diamond (10), Sapphire (9), Ruby (9), Spinel (8), Topaz (8), Alexandrite (8.5)
- Good (Mohs 7-7.5): Amethyst (7), Citrine (7), Aquamarine (7.5-8), Garnet (6.5-7.5), Tourmaline (7-7.5), Peridot (6.5-7)
Avoid for daily rings: Pearl (2.5-4.5), Opal (5-6), Turquoise (5-6), Moonstone (6-6.5)
Setting Styles by Stone Durability
Jewelry setting selection should complement gemstone characteristics and protect vulnerable stones.
Soft Stones (Mohs <7): Bezel Settings Recommended
Stones requiring protection: Pearl, Opal, Turquoise, Moonstone
Bezel setting advantages:
- Complete protection: Metal rim surrounds stone completely
- Impact resistance: Distributes force away from stone
- Edge protection: Prevents chipping at girdle
- Daily wear: Enables softer stones in rings with reduced risk
How to Verify Birthstone Authenticity
Authenticating gemstones protects consumers from fraudulent practices including synthetic stones sold as natural, treated stones misrepresented as untreated, and complete simulants (glass, plastic) marketed as genuine gems.
Professional certification, online verification, basic testing, and awareness of red flags form a comprehensive authentication strategy.
Check Professional Certifications
Reputable gemological laboratories provide independent, unbiased verification of gemstone identity, quality, treatment status, and sometimes geographic origin.
GIA (Gemological Institute of America):
- Global authority, industry standard for diamond grading
- Services: Diamond Grading Reports, Colored Stone Reports, Origin Reports
- Verification: Visit gia.edu/report-check
- Typical cost: $75-$200 per gemstone
- Essential for: Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Alexandrite over $1,000
Basic Tests You Can Perform
Important disclaimer: These tests provide preliminary indications only. Professional gemological testing remains essential for definitive authentication. Do NOT rely on basic tests for high-value purchases ($1,000+).
Visual Inspection with Loupe (10× Magnification)
Equipment needed: 10× jeweler's loupe ($15-$50)
Natural gemstone indicators:
- Inclusions with irregular patterns (natural stones contain mineral crystals, liquid-filled cavities, color zoning)
- Growth lines (visible in some natural stones)
- Surface irregularities (minor abrasions, pits)
Synthetic gemstone indicators:
- Curved growth lines (synthetics grown via flame-fusion show curved striae)
- Gas bubbles (round, spherical bubbles indicate glass or low-quality synthetic)
- Too perfect (complete absence of inclusions in large, affordable stones suspicious)
Frequently Asked Questions
Finding Your Perfect Birthstone
From ancient symbolism of Aaron's breastplate to modern standardization in 1912 and continuing updates through 2025, birthstones carry both historical significance and personal meaning.
Every gemstone at JOALYS embodies commitment to transparency, quality, and ethical sourcing. Birthstone collections feature complete traceability and certification that transforms jewelry purchases from transactions into confident investments.
