Birthstones

Here is the official list of monthly birthstones approved by the American National Retail Jewelers Association, National Jewelers Association, and the American Gem Society. The birthstone list was established in 1952.

Month - Birthtone
January - Garnet
February - Amethyst
March - Aquamarine or Bloodstone
April - Diamond
May - Emerald
June - Pearl or Moonstone or Alexandrite
July - Ruby
August - Peridot or Sardonyx (Carnelian)
September - Sapphire or Lapis Lazuli
October - Opal or Pink Tourmaline
November - Topaz or Citrine
December - Zircon or Turquoise

Photo: Amethyst, the birthstone for February (de:Wela49, Wikipedia)

The traditional stones are associated with the stones mentioned in this poem that was published by Tiffany & Co, in 1870.

By her who in January was born
No gem save garnets shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.

The February born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they, the amethyst will wear.

By her who in March was born
No gem save Bloodstone shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.

She who from April dates her years,
Diamonds shall wear,
lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow.

Who first beholds the light of day
In spring's sweet, flower month of May
And wears an Emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and a loving wife.

By her who in June was born
No gem save Pearls shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.

The gleaming Ruby should adorn,
All those who in July are born,
For thus they'll be exempt and free,
From lover's doubts and anxiety.

Wear a Peridot or for thee,
No conjugal fidelity,
The August born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved; alone.

A maiden born when autumn leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze,
A Sapphire on her brow should bind;
To bring her joy and peace of mind.

October's child is born for woe,
And life's vicissitudes must know,
But lay an opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.

Who first comes to this world below
In dreary November's fog and snow,
Should prize the topaz amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.

If cold December gave you birth
The month of snow and ice and mirth
Place on your hand a turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate'er you do.

-Gregorian Birthstone Poems

One method of determining your birthstone is to assign it based on the hour in which you were born. This numerological method requires that you know the exact hour of your birth. Remember to take Daylight Saving Time into account, if it applies to you.

Hour of Birth - Birthstone
1 (midnight until 1 am) - Quartz
2 - Hematite
3 - Malachite
4 - Lapis Lazuli
5 - Turquoise
6 - Tourmaline
7 - Chrysolite (Peridot)
8 - Amethyst
9 - Kunzite
10 - Sapphire
11 - Garnet
12 (noon until 1 pm or 13:00) - Diamond
13 - Zircon
14 - Emerald
15 - Beryl
16 - Topaz
17 - Ruby
18 - Opal
19 - Sardonyx
20 - Chalcedony
21 - Jade
22 - Jasper
23 - Lode
24 - Onyx

[Photo: Sapphire Ring (Stanislav Doronenko)]

There are birthstones for the month in which you were born, but an alternative system assigns birthstones to your sign of the zodiac. Astrological birthstones predate monthly birthstones, coming from a time when it was considered wise to consult your astrologer rather than your jeweler before purchasing a gem. Note that some signs have ambiguous beginning/ending dates. People born on these dates are said to be 'on the cusps' or to have 'borderline dates'. If you are born on a cusp date, your sign depends on the time, date, and place of your birth.

Zodiac Sign - Dates - Birthstone

Aquarius - Jan. 21 to Feb. 19 - Garnet

Pisces - Feb. 20 to Mar. 20 - Amethyst

Aries - Mar. 21 to Apr. 20 - Bloodstone

Taurus - Apr. 21 to May 20/21 - Sapphire

Gemini - May 21/22 to June 21 - Agate

Cancer - June 22 to July 22 - Emerald

Leo - July 23 to Aug. 22/23 - Onyx

Virgo - Aug. 22/23 to Sep. 22/23 - Carnelian

Libra - Sep. 22/23 to Oct. 22/23 - Peridot or Chrysolite

Scorpio - Oct. 22/23 to Nov. 22 - Beryl

Sagittarius - Nov. 23 to Dec. 21-23 - Topaz

Capricorn - Dec. 22-24 to Jan. 20 - Ruby

There are also birthstones that are assigned according to what day of the week it was when you were born:

Monday: Pearl

Tuesday: Garnet

Wednesday: Cymophane (Catseye Chrysoberyl)

Thursday: Emerald

Friday: Topaz

Saturday: Sapphire

Sunday: Ruby