January — Garnet
Garnet is best known for rich red tones and is traditionally associated with protection, strength and lasting friendship.
Typical colourDeep red
Mohs hardness6.5–7.5
Birthstone Guide: Birthstones by Month
Pear Jewels Gemstone Education
Birthstone Guide: Birthstones by Month
Discover the traditional and modern birthstones for every month, including their colours, meanings, durability and suitability for rings, earrings, pendants and personalised jewellery.
Your Birthstone Library
This master guide links directly to the individual gemstone guides already available in the Pear Jewels Education Hub.
Quick reference
Birthstones by Month
Select a month to view its birthstone overview, then continue to the complete individual gemstone guide.
Month-by-month guide
Meaning, Colour and Wearability
Each summary links to a detailed Pear Jewels guide covering gemstone meaning, colour, hardness, quality, care and jewellery suitability.
February — Amethyst
Amethyst is a purple quartz gemstone associated with calm, clarity and balance.
Typical colourPurple
Mohs hardness7
March — Aquamarine
Aquamarine is loved for cool blue colour and symbolism connected with serenity, courage and communication.
Typical colourPale blue
Mohs hardness7.5–8
April — Diamond
Diamond represents strength, love and lasting commitment. Both mined and Lab-Grown diamonds are real diamonds.
Typical colourColourless or fancy
Mohs hardness10
May — Emerald
Emerald is known for rich green colour and symbolism associated with renewal, growth and elegance.
Typical colourGreen
Mohs hardness7.5–8
June — Pearl, Moonstone & Alexandrite
June offers three recognised choices: classic pearl, luminous moonstone and colour-changing alexandrite.
Typical coloursWhite, rainbow, colour-changing
WearabilityVaries by stone
July — Ruby
Ruby is a vivid red corundum gemstone associated with passion, vitality, courage and love.
Typical colourRed
Mohs hardness9
August — Peridot, Spinel & Sardonyx
August includes fresh green peridot, colourful spinel and the distinctive banded appearance of sardonyx.
Typical coloursGreen or varied
WearabilityVaries by stone
September — Sapphire
Sapphire is famous for blue colour and represents wisdom, loyalty and trust. Its excellent durability suits frequently worn jewellery.
Typical colourBlue
Mohs hardness9
October — Opal & Tourmaline
Opal displays captivating play-of-colour, while tourmaline offers an exceptional colour range, including popular pink varieties.
Typical coloursMulticolour or pink
WearabilityVaries by stone
November — Topaz & Citrine
November birthstones offer warm golden tones, though topaz is also available in several other colours.
Typical coloursYellow, gold or blue
Mohs hardnessTopaz 8, Citrine 7
December — Turquoise, Tanzanite & Zircon
December offers varied blue options, from opaque turquoise to violet-blue tanzanite and brilliant zircon.
Typical colourBlue
WearabilityVaries by stone
Pear Jewels education library
Browse All Birthstone Guides
Explore each gemstone in more detail without duplicating the full guide content on this pillar page.
Garnet GuideJanuary · colour, meaning, hardness and care. Amethyst GuideFebruary · purple quartz and jewellery care. Aquamarine GuideMarch · colour, quality and durability. Diamond GuideApril · brilliance, durability and quality. Emerald GuideMay · colour, inclusions and mindful care. Pearl GuideJune · lustre, types and delicate care. Moonstone GuideJune · adularescence, meaning and wear. Alexandrite GuideJune · colour change, rarity and quality. Ruby GuideJuly · colour, durability and symbolism. Peridot GuideAugust · vivid green colour and care. Spinel GuideAugust · colour variety and durability. Sardonyx GuideAugust · banding, meaning and styling. Sapphire GuideSeptember · colour, quality and everyday wear. Opal GuideOctober · play-of-colour and special care. Tourmaline GuideOctober · colours, varieties and quality. Topaz GuideNovember · colour, cleavage and care. Citrine GuideNovember · warm colour and jewellery use. Turquoise GuideDecember · colour, matrix and care. Tanzanite GuideDecember · violet-blue colour and rarity. Zircon GuideDecember · brilliance, colour and care.
Traditional and modern choices
Alternative Birthstones
| Month | Traditional or Primary Stone | Common Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| March | Bloodstone | Aquamarine |
| June | Pearl | Moonstone or Alexandrite |
| August | Peridot | Spinel or Sardonyx |
| October | Opal | Tourmaline |
| November | Topaz | Citrine |
| December | Turquoise | Tanzanite or Zircon |
Pear Jewels TipThere is no single wrong choice. Select the gemstone that best reflects your colour preference, personal story, jewellery style and intended wear.
Choosing well
How to Choose Birthstone Jewellery
Consider Daily Wear
Diamond, sapphire and ruby are excellent choices for frequently worn rings. More delicate stones may be better suited to pendants, earrings or occasional-wear designs.
Choose a Protective Setting
Bezel, halo and well-designed prong settings can help protect vulnerable edges, especially for softer gemstones.
Match the Metal
White gold emphasises cool tones, yellow gold enriches warm colours and rose gold creates soft romantic contrast.
Check Treatments
Heat, oiling and other treatments are common in coloured gemstones. Treatment disclosure matters because it can affect care and value.
Create Family Jewellery
Combine multiple birthstones to represent children, partners, parents or meaningful family milestones.
Continue Your Research
Use our Gemstone Hardness Guide, Gemstone Care Guide and Metal Guide before finalising a design.
Helpful answers
Birthstone Guide FAQs
What is my birthstone?
Your primary birthstone is traditionally based on your birth month. Some months also have recognised modern or alternative stones.
Can a month have more than one birthstone?
Yes. June, August, October, November and December commonly have multiple accepted options.
Which birthstone is the most durable?
Diamond is the hardest birthstone, followed by ruby and sapphire. These are strong choices for jewellery worn frequently.
Which birthstones are suitable for engagement rings?
Diamond, sapphire and ruby are especially suitable. Other gemstones can be used with protective settings and more mindful wear.
Can I wear a birthstone from another month?
Yes. Birthstones can be chosen for colour, symbolism or personal meaning rather than birth month alone.
Can birthstones be Lab-Grown?
Yes. Laboratory-grown options are available for several gemstones, including diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald.
Which birthstones require extra care?
Pearl, opal, turquoise, tanzanite and moonstone generally require more care than diamond, ruby or sapphire.
Can multiple birthstones be used in one piece?
Yes. Multi-stone jewellery is a meaningful way to represent partners, children, parents or important dates.
Where can I learn about gemstone durability?
Read the Gemstone Hardness Guide and each individual gemstone guide linked above.
Can Pear Jewels create custom birthstone jewellery?
Custom possibilities depend on design and gemstone availability. Contact Pear Jewels with your preferred stones, metal, budget and required timeframe.
Continue learning
Related Pear Jewels Guides
Gemstone GuideExplore the wider gemstone education library. Precious vs Semi-PreciousUnderstand traditional gemstone classifications. Gemstone Hardness GuideCompare durability for different jewellery uses. Gemstone Care GuideLearn safe cleaning, storage and maintenance. Find the Right MetalCompare white, yellow and rose gold. Education HubBrowse all Pear Jewels buying and care guides.
Personal, meaningful and timeless
Create Meaningful Birthstone Jewellery
Celebrate a birthday, anniversary, family connection or personal milestone with a custom gemstone design.
Email: info@pearjewels.com.au · WhatsApp: +61 413 914 282