Birthstones
Did you know that there are many different birthstones to choose from?
You can choose the commonly known Modern birthstones or Traditional, Alternative and Ancient birthstones that have been used for thousands of years all around the world.
I compiled this list of birthstones over many, many years of collecting, restoring and creating jewellery, especially creating custom jewellery for clients all over the world.
I have always been fascinated with gemstones and their symbolism throughout history, in different cultures, in biblical text, art, folklore, etc..
I am not a historian or an expert, this list is not complete and may not be accurate, but I hope it will encourage you to learn more about the fascinating history of birthstones.
Modern, Traditional and Ancient Birthstones:
January:
Garnet-Traditional, Ancient and Modern most cultures: British, Arabic
Rose Quartz-Alternative
Jacinth (also called Hyacinth & Red Zircon)-Ancient Italian and Russian
Emerald-Tibetan
Colors: deep red, red and emerald, green & pink.
February:
Amethyst-Traditional & Ancient Hebrew, Russian, Polish, Arabic and United Kingdom
Pearl was a common February birthstone used in the 15th century.
Jacinth (also called Hyacinth & Red Zircon)-was also commonly used before the 20th century.
Lolite (Iolite)-Alternative
Blue Quartz Alternative
Colors: purple, red, white, and blue
March:
Aquamarine-Modern & Traditional
Bloodstone-Ancient &Traditional Hebrew, Roman, Arabic and United Kingdom
Jasper-Traditional Russian
Jade-Tibetan
Colors: green, green with red (bloodstone), light blue, aqua blue.
April:
Diamond-Modern and Traditional
Diamond-Ancient Polish
Sapphire and White Sapphire- Traditional and Ancient Hebrew, Roman, Arabic and Russian,
Opal-Tibetan
Clear Quartz, Crystal, White Quartz-Modern & Alternative
Colors: clear, white, and multiple Sapphire colors.
May:
Emerald- (Modern, Traditional and Ancient): Roman, Hebrew, Arabic, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Polish & Japanese
Agate is the Hebrew, Italian, Spanish, Roman
Sapphire-Tibetan
Carnelian & Chalcedony-Hebrew
Jade, Green Onyx & Chrysoprase: Alternative
Colors: green, orange, and blue.
June:
Pearl- Modern & Traditional
Moonstone-Modern & Tibetan
Emerald-Italian, Ancient Hebrew & Roman
Chalcedony-Russian, Polish & Arabic
Agate-Russian, Polish and Arabic
Alexandrite and Opal are Modern or alternative June birthstones.
Colors: white, green, purple and multi color.
July:
Ruby-Modern & Traditional as well as Ancient Tibetan, Russian and Polish
Onyx-Ancient Roman, Hebrew and Italian
Sardonyx-Ancient Russian
Jasper and Carnelian-Arabic
Colors: red, brown, orange and black.
August:
Peridot-Traditional
Sardonyx-Ancient & Traditional Polish & Arabic
Carnelian-Ancient Hebrew, Roman and Italian
Alexandrite-Ancient Russian
Diamond-Tibetan
Green Jade-Alternative
Colors: green, orange, and clear.
September:
Sapphire-Traditional
Diamond-Modern
Sardonyx-Ancient Roman & Polish
Peridot (also called Chrysolite & Olivine)-Ancient Hebrew, Russian, Arabic, Italian & Polish
Topaz-Ancient Italian, Hebrew & Russian
Agate-Tibetan
Blue Lapis Lazuli-Alternative
Clear Quartz & Blue Jade-Alternative
Colors: blue, green, orange, and clear
October:
Opal-Traditional
Tourmaline (pink is the most popular color) -Modern
Aquamarine -Ancient Roman, Hebrew Polish and Arabic
Jasper-Tibetan
Beryl like Emerald, Aquamarine & Pink Morganite-Italian & Russian
Rose Quartz and Pink Zirconia are alternative October birthstones.
Colors: pink, green, or blue.
November:
Citrine-Modern and Traditional
Topaz-Modern and Ancient Hebrew, Russian, Arabic, Roman, Italian, and Polish
Smokey Quartz (Alternative to Smokey Topaz)-Modern
Pearl-Tibetan
Colors: yellow, brown, and white.
December:
Blue Zircon- Modern
Tanzanite- Modern
Turquoise-Traditional & Ancient Polish & Russian
Ruby-Traditional and Ancient-Roman, Hebrew, Russian, Arabic Polish and Italian
Blue Lapis Lazuli-Ancient
Onyx-Tibetan
Chrysoprase-Russian
Colors: Blue, Green, Red, Turquoise, blue & green
.....
Modern 20th Century Birthstones (Most Commonly Used Today)
January – Garnet
February – Amethyst
March – Aquamarine, Bloodstone
April – Diamond, Moonstone, Clear Quartz Crystal
May – Emerald, Jade, Agate
June – Alexandrite, Pearl, Moonstone
July – Ruby, Carnelian
August – Peridot, Sardonyx
September – Sapphire, Blue Lapis
October – Opal, Rose Quartz
November – Golden Topaz, Smokey Topaz, Citrine, Smokey Quartz
December – Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli & Blue Topaz & Blue Zircon
.....
American Standard Birthstones since 1912
January –Garnet
February – Amethyst
March – Aquamarine
April – Diamond
May – Emerald
June – Pearl
July – Ruby
August – Peridot
September – Sapphire
October – Opal
November – Topaz
December - Tanzanite
.....
Traditional Birthstones
January –Garnet
February – Amethyst
March – Bloodstone
April – Diamond
May – Emerald
June – Pearl
July – Ruby
August – Sardonyx
September – Sapphire
October – Tourmaline or Opal
November – Citrine
December - Turquoise
.....
Birthstone Colors (Common)
January – Deep Red
February – Purple, Lavender
March – Aqua Blue, Light Blue, Green & Red
April – Clear, White
May – Green
June – Lavender, White
July – Red
August – Green
September – Blue
October – Pink, Opalescent
November – Gold, Yellow, Brown
December – Turquoise, Blue
.....
Birthstone Colors by Month (from all the Birthstones)
January –Garnet (deep red, burgundy) Jacinth, Hyacinth (orange red, yellow)
February – Amethyst (purple, lilac), Lolite (blue to purple).
March – Aquamarine (aqua to light blue), Bloodstone (red & green), Green.
April – Diamond, White Sapphire and Blue or other color Sapphire, Clear Quartz, Crystal, White Quartz, Mother of Pearl.
May – Emerald (green) Agate, Onyx (green, black), Chrysoprase (apple green) Beryl (many colors: blue, green, gold, red, clear), Carnelian (orange to red), Chalcedony (sky blue, green and many other colors).
June – Pearl, Moonstone, Emerald (green), Chalcedony (sky blue, green and many other colors), Agate (all colors), Alexandrite (purple, green, red & blue mixed), Opal (opalescent).
July – Ruby (red), Carnelian (orange, red), Jasper (Red, Orange, Green, Onyx (green, black) Sardonyx (orange, white, black).
August – Peridot (light to olive green), Jade (forest to apple green), Carnelian (Orange, Red), Sardonyx (orange, white, black), Alexandrite (purple, green, red & blue mixed)
September – Sapphire, Lapis Lazuli (blue), Sardonyx (orange, white, black) Chrysolite, Peridot, Olivine (Green), Topaz, Diamond (white, yellow).
October – Opal & Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz (soft pink), Pink Cubic Zirconia, Zircon (blue turquoise color), Aquamarine (light blue, aqua blue) Beryl (many colors: blue, green, gold, red, clear).
November – Topaz (smoky brown, gray, blue and other colors) Smokey Quartz (smoky brown, gray), Citrine (yellow, gold).
December – Turquoise, Blue Lapis Lazuli, Blue Zircon (blue turquoise color), Blue Topaz, Tanzanite (blue purple).
..........
I hope you have fun reading this list, I hope it inspires you to learn more and to choose a birthstone that suits your personality and one that makes you happy.
Read more about Birthstones: History of Birthstones – Anything's Possible Jewellery (anythingspossiblejewellery.ca)
Please contact me with any questions or comments.
Have a blessed day.
Jacqueline
©Jacqueline Neves, Anything’s Possible Jewellery