A birthstone is one of the most personal gifts you can give. This guide lists the birthstone for every month, what each one means, and, just as importantly, how well each stone stands up to everyday wear.
The UK birthstone list
The UK list was first set out by the National Association of Goldsmiths in 1937 and has been updated since. Several months have a main stone and an alternative.
| Month | Birthstone | Alternative | Colour | Everyday wear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | – | Deep red | Good |
| February | Amethyst | – | Purple | Good |
| March | Aquamarine | Bloodstone | Pale sea blue | Very good |
| April | Diamond | Rock crystal | Colourless | Excellent |
| May | Emerald | Chrysoprase | Green | Good, with care |
| June | Pearl | Moonstone | White, cream | Delicate |
| July | Ruby | Carnelian | Red | Excellent |
| August | Peridot | Sardonyx | Olive green | Fair |
| September | Sapphire | Lapis lazuli | Blue | Excellent |
| October | Opal | – | Multicoloured | Delicate |
| November | Topaz | Citrine | Golden, yellow | Very good |
| December | Tanzanite | Turquoise | Violet blue | Fair |
Everyday wear is based on each stone's hardness and toughness. "Delicate" stones are lovely in earrings and pendants, which take fewer knocks than rings.
Each birthstone at a glance
January: Garnet
A rich, warm red long linked with friendship and trust. Garnet is durable enough for rings and is excellent value. Shop garnet jewellery.
February: Amethyst
Purple quartz, traditionally a stone of calm and clarity. It wears well in rings, pendants and earrings. Shop amethyst jewellery.
March: Aquamarine
Named after seawater, aquamarine has a soft, clear blue that suits both yellow and white gold. It is hard-wearing and a popular alternative engagement stone. Shop aquamarine jewellery.
April: Diamond
The hardest natural material, and the classic symbol of lasting love. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical to mined diamonds and are a popular choice today. Shop lab-grown diamond jewellery.
May: Emerald
A vivid green associated with renewal. Emeralds are reasonably hard but can chip if knocked, so protective settings are a wise choice for rings. Shop emerald jewellery.
June: Pearl or Moonstone
Pearls are timeless but soft, so they are best in necklaces and earrings. Moonstone, the alternative, has a gentle blue glow. Shop pearl jewellery or moonstone jewellery.
July: Ruby
The stone of passion, and one of the toughest gems after diamond. Ideal for rings worn every day. Shop ruby jewellery.
August: Peridot
A bright olive green that looks beautiful in yellow gold. It is softer than many gems, so pendants and earrings are a safe choice. Shop peridot jewellery.
September: Sapphire
Famous for its royal blue, sapphire also comes in pink, yellow and other colours. It is extremely hard-wearing and a favourite for engagement rings. Shop sapphire jewellery.
October: Opal
Every opal shows its own play of colour, so no two are alike. Opals are delicate and should be kept away from knocks and sudden temperature changes. Shop opal jewellery.
November: Topaz or Citrine
Warm golden tones for autumn birthdays. Topaz is very hard; citrine is a hard-wearing, affordable alternative. Shop topaz jewellery or citrine jewellery.
December: Tanzanite or Turquoise
Tanzanite is a striking violet blue found in only one place in the world, near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Turquoise is the classic sky-blue alternative. Both are softer stones, so wear them with care. Shop tanzanite jewellery or turquoise jewellery.
Choosing a birthstone gift
- For rings worn daily, choose the hardest stones: diamond, ruby, sapphire, aquamarine or topaz.
- For softer stones such as pearl, opal or peridot, a pendant or earrings will last longer.
- For a family piece, combine several birthstones in one ring or necklace, one for each child or partner.
All our jewellery is handcrafted to order in solid gold. Explore our gemstone jewellery or birthday gifts.
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