Birthstone Chart by Month: Modern and Traditional

Choosing the right birthstone isn’t always straightforward. The stones associated with some months have changed over the years, and some months even have more than one stone.

This guide covers both modern and traditional birthstone charts, highlighting their colors and key traits to help you choose rightly.

Modern and Traditional Birthstones Chart by Month

This birthstones modern and traditional chart helps you understand how birthstone selections vary by month, including both classic and updated gemstone choices. If you also want to explore the symbolism behind each gemstone, check out our guide on Birthstone Colors and Meanings by Month.

January Birthstone: Garnet

Garnet is a deep red gemstone. The bold red hue makes it a classic choice for timeless and elegant jewelry designs. Also, it has incredible strength and can resist daily wear or friction.

February Birthstone: Amethyst

Amethyst is a purple gemstone with a distinct violet hue. Its key trait is its calming appearance, which is often associated with royalty, spirituality, mental clarity, and healing.

March Birthstone: Aquamarine, Bloodstone

• Modern: Aquamarine

Aquamarine is named after the color of sea water because of its light blue color. This stone is transparent and has a fresh, modern feel that works well in minimalist designs.

• Traditional: Bloodstone

Bloodstone is a dark-green gemstone marked by subtle red flecks. It is popularly loved for its natural contrast that creates a bold, earthy appearance.

April Birthstone: Diamond

Diamond is a colorless gemstone. It tops the list of the most expensive birthstones because of its unmatched brilliance and sparkle. It’s also the hardest natural stone, which makes it the most resistant to tarnishing.

May Birthstone: Emerald

Emerald is recognized for its rich green color that immediately stands out. It is the most known gemstone in the beryl family thanks to its deep tone and luxurious feel.

June Birthstone: Pearl, Alexandrite, Moonstone

• Modern: Pearl, Alexandrite, Moonstone

Alexandrite is typically green in daylight and visually distinct among other gemstones. What makes it most unique is how its appearance shifts under different lighting conditions.

• Traditional: Pearl, Moonstone

A Pearl is a classic white gemstone with a soft, natural luster. It is the only gemstone found within living creatures—salt and freshwater mollusks. Its timelessness across generations is so undisputed that it makes both the traditional and modern birthstones chart.

Dig deeper: 101 Guide to Different Types of Pearls.

Just like Pearl, Moonstone has a place in both modern and traditional birthstone charts. This gemstone has a milky-white appearance with a soft glow that seems to float across the surface. This subtle effect gives it a delicate and ethereal beauty.

July Birthstone: Ruby

Ruby is a vivid red gemstone known for its intense and striking color. Its bold appearance makes it a standout choice, particularly in luxury and statement pieces.

August Birthstone: Peridot, Spinel, Sardonyx

• Modern: Peridot, Spinel, Sardonyx

Peridot has a bright green color with a fresh, lively tone. Its natural vibrant look makes it easily recognizable and well-suited for everyday usage.

Spinel is often seen in a strong red color that closely resembles Ruby. With its bright and clean appearance, it has become an increasingly popular modern alternative.

• Traditional: Sardonyx

Sardonyx is both a modern and traditional birthstone. It has a reddish-brown color with visible layered bands. This striped pattern gives it a unique, vintage feel.

September Birthstone: Sapphire

Sapphire is best known for its deep blue color, offering a refined and elegant look. It’s very durable, making it a practical option for frequently worn jewelry pendants or earrings.

October Birthstone: Opal, Tourmaline

• Modern: Opal, Tourmaline

Tourmaline is available in several colors, but the most common is vibrant pink. Generally, this gemstone has a bright tone that makes it a favorite for more expressive and contemporary jewelry styles.

• Traditional: Opal

Opal makes the list of both modern birthstones and traditional birthstones. It has a white base color that reveals flashes of different hues when it catches the light. The patterns are so unique that every Opal stone looks slightly different and visually striking.

November Birthstone: Topaz, Citrine

• Modern: Topaz, Citrine

Citrine stands out with its yellow/orange color, often described as golden or sunny. This gemstone is part of the Quartz family—gemstones that contain the two most abundant elements in Earth’s crust (silicon and oxygen).

• Traditional: Topaz

Topaz is both a modern and traditional birthstone. It is typically a clear blue gemstone with a bright, polished finish. This stone is quite affordable, making it a versatile choice for many types of jewelry.

December Birthstone: Turquoise, Tanzanite, Zicron

• Modern: Turquoise, Tanzanite, Zicron

Tanzanite is named after where it was first found (Tanzania). It has a rich violet-blue color that gives it a refined and premium look. This gemstone is quite rare to find, which adds to its utmost appeal.

Zicron birthstone has a light blue shade with noticeable brilliance. It comes with a strong sparkle and clarity, which has made it a visually attractive option that’s often compared to Diamonds.
Traditional: Turquoise

Turquoise makes the list for both traditional and modern birthstone charts, and this is because of its cultural appeal that blends with today’s world. The gemstone usually comes in a solid blue color with a slightly matte finish.

Modern Birthstone Chart by Month

Modern birthstones were standardized in 1912, offering consistent gemstone identification. It reflects updated preferences, durability, and availability, making it ideal for contemporary designs and commercial collections.

Traditional Birthstone Chart by Month

The traditional birthstone chart is based on historical and cultural origins, with some variations across regions. These stones often carry deeper symbolism and heritage, making them appealing for vintage-inspired or meaningful jewelry pieces.

Modern vs. Traditional Birthstones: What’s the Difference?

Traditional and modern birthstones are different in several ways, such as how they originated, the variety of options, and how easy they are to find.

Origin and Usage

Traditional birthstones have been around for a very long time; you can practically trace them back to ancient history and cultural beliefs. Modern birthstones, on the other hand, were standardized in 1912 by the American National Retail Jewelers Association.

Also, unlike traditional birthstones, modern birthstones are commonly used in a lot of jewelry designs today because they are easier to find.

Number of Birthstones

The traditional birthstone chart has only one gemstone for each month. Whereas, the modern birthstone chart has 2-3 options for some months. It gives customers the room to choose from several options.

Availability

Some traditional stones can be rarer or less practical, making them more niche but often more unique and meaningful. In contrast, modern birthstones are easier to find and come in different colors & prices.

Key Takeaways

Each month is associated with unique birthstones, but the options are not always the same. The traditional birthstone chart reflects historical choices, while the modern birthstone chart includes newer options to offer more variety in color, style, and availability.

If you need a birthstone that suits your personal taste and practical needs, it’s best that you consult a professional custom jewelry manufacturer.

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