💎 Birthstone Finder
By ToolNimba Editorial Team · Updated 2026-06-19
Pick a birth month (or date) to find your birthstone.
A birthstone is the gem traditionally linked to the month you were born. This finder lets you pick your birth month (or a full birth date, where only the month matters) and shows the modern birthstone, the older traditional stone where it differs, the stone color and a short note on what it symbolises. It is a quick, friendly reference for gift ideas, jewellery shopping or simply finding out what your birth month gem is.
What is the Birthstone Finder?
Birthstones are gems assigned to each of the twelve calendar months. The custom is old, with roots people often trace to the twelve stones on the breastplate of Aaron described in the Book of Exodus, but the modern list most jewellers use was standardised much later. In 1912 the National Association of Jewelers (now Jewelers of America) in the United States agreed on a single official list, and it has been lightly updated since, for example by adding tanzanite as a December option in 2002. That standardised list is what most shops, charts and birthstone jewellery follow today.
Many months actually have more than one stone. A modern stone is the one on the standardised commercial list, while a traditional or alternate stone is an older choice that stayed popular. March, for instance, lists aquamarine as the modern stone and bloodstone as the traditional one. June is unusual in having pearl, alexandrite and moonstone all in regular use. So if you see a different gem on another chart, it is usually not wrong, it is simply a traditional or regional alternate rather than a contradiction.
It is worth knowing that birthstones are a cultural and commercial tradition, not a scientific or astrological system. They are tied to the calendar month, not to your zodiac sun sign, so the cut-off is simply the first to the last day of the month. The colors and meanings (garnet for protection, sapphire for wisdom, ruby for passion) come from centuries of folklore and marketing rather than any tested property of the stone. They make thoughtful, personal gifts precisely because of that long story, not because the gem does anything.
When to use it
- Finding a thoughtful birthday gift by matching jewellery to someone's birth month.
- Choosing a birthstone for a personalised ring, pendant or family piece.
- Settling a quick question of what gem belongs to a given month.
- Comparing the modern and traditional stone when a chart shows two different gems.
How to use the Birthstone Finder
- Select your birth month from the dropdown.
- Or pick a full birth date instead, only the month is used.
- Read off the modern birthstone, its color and the traditional alternate.
- Check the short meaning below for the symbolism linked to that stone.
Formula & method
Worked examples
Someone born on 14 September wants to know their birthstone.
- The birth month is September (month 9).
- Look up September in the birthstone table.
- Modern stone: Sapphire. Traditional stone: Sapphire (the same).
- Color: blue. Meaning: wisdom, loyalty and nobility.
Result: September birthstone is Sapphire, a blue stone for wisdom and loyalty.
A shopper is buying a gift for a friend born in March.
- Select March (month 3) in the finder.
- Modern stone: Aquamarine (sea blue).
- Traditional stone: Bloodstone, an older alternate.
- Either gem is a valid March birthstone for the gift.
Result: March offers Aquamarine (modern) or Bloodstone (traditional).
Birthstone by month: modern stone, traditional stone and color
| Month | Modern stone | Traditional / alternate | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Garnet | Deep red |
| February | Amethyst | Amethyst | Purple |
| March | Aquamarine | Bloodstone | Sea blue |
| April | Diamond | Diamond | Clear / white |
| May | Emerald | Emerald | Green |
| June | Pearl | Alexandrite, Moonstone | White / cream |
| July | Ruby | Ruby | Red |
| August | Peridot | Sardonyx, Spinel | Olive green |
| September | Sapphire | Sapphire | Blue |
| October | Opal | Tourmaline | Iridescent |
| November | Topaz | Citrine | Yellow / amber |
| December | Turquoise | Zircon, Tanzanite, Blue topaz | Sky blue |
Common meanings traditionally linked to each birthstone
| Stone | Symbolism |
|---|---|
| Garnet | Protection, loyalty, friendship |
| Amethyst | Clarity, calm, a steady mind |
| Diamond | Strength, clarity, everlasting love |
| Emerald | Rebirth, growth, fertility |
| Ruby | Passion, vitality, protection |
| Sapphire | Wisdom, loyalty, nobility |
| Opal | Hope and creativity |
| Turquoise | Luck, friendship, protection |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing a birthstone with a zodiac sign. A birthstone is tied to the calendar month (the 1st to the last day), not to your astrological sun sign. Someone born on 22 June has the June birthstone, even though their zodiac sign by that date is Cancer. The two systems are unrelated.
- Assuming each month has only one stone. Several months have a modern stone plus one or more traditional or alternate stones. June alone has pearl, alexandrite and moonstone. Seeing a different gem on another chart usually means an alternate, not an error.
- Expecting one universal global list. The widely used list is the American one standardised in 1912, but other countries and older traditions assign different stones to some months. If a family heirloom chart differs, it may follow a regional or historical list.
- Treating birthstone meanings as proven. The colors and symbolic meanings come from folklore and tradition, not from any tested property of the gem. They are a lovely part of the gift, but the stone does not literally bring luck or protection.
Glossary
- Birthstone
- A gemstone traditionally associated with the month a person was born.
- Modern birthstone
- The stone on the standardised commercial list (originating with the 1912 US jewellers list) used by most shops today.
- Traditional birthstone
- An older or alternate stone for a month that remained popular alongside the modern choice.
- Gemstone
- A mineral or organic material (such as pearl) cut and polished for use in jewellery.
- Alexandrite
- A rare June stone famous for appearing to change color from green to red in different light.
Frequently asked questions
What is my birthstone?
Your birthstone is the gem assigned to your birth month. Pick your month in the finder above and it shows the modern stone (for example sapphire for September or ruby for July), along with the traditional alternate, the color and a short meaning.
Why do some months have two birthstones?
Many months carry both a modern stone (from the standardised commercial list) and one or more traditional or alternate stones that stayed popular. March has aquamarine and bloodstone; June has pearl, alexandrite and moonstone. Both are considered correct.
Is a birthstone the same as a zodiac sign?
No. A birthstone is tied to the calendar month, while a zodiac sign is tied to the position of the sun on your birth date and crosses month boundaries. They are separate traditions, so they do not have to line up.
Where does the modern birthstone list come from?
The list most jewellers use was standardised by the National Association of Jewelers in the United States in 1912, with small updates since (such as adding tanzanite for December in 2002). Older traditions trace the idea back to the twelve stones on the biblical breastplate of Aaron.
Do birthstones really bring luck or protection?
The meanings (garnet for protection, sapphire for wisdom, and so on) come from centuries of folklore and custom, not from any tested property of the gem. They make birthstones meaningful gifts, but you should treat the symbolism as tradition rather than fact.
Can I use my full date of birth instead of just the month?
Yes. You can enter a complete birth date, but the finder uses only the month, since birthstones are assigned by calendar month and not by the exact day. The result is the same for any day within that month.