Are you looking for the birthstone colors for each month? We’ve created a comprehensive guide with a birthstone color chart that explains all birthstone colors by month.
This article will teach you what a birthstone is, what their origins are, the birthstone colors by month and what they mean.
Plus a lovely gemstone color chart!
Are you ready to jump in? Continue reading.
What is a Birthstone?
A birthstone is a unique gemstone associated with a particular month of the year according to the Western calendar.
Each birthstone has its meaning or symbolism and is tied to your birth month.
Birthstones have been used since ancient times when people believed that some gemstones have supernatural properties and could bring good luck, guard against evil, or even cure illnesses.
What Is the Origin of Birthstones?
Birthstones can be traced back to ancient times when gemstones were thought to have mystical powers. As a result, they were used for healing, protection, and other purposes.
The concept of birthstones was originally mentioned in the Bible, in the book of Exodus, where Aaron’s breastplate is depicted as containing twelve jewels, each representing one of Israel’s twelve tribes.
After a few centuries, the concept of birthstones gained popularity in the Western world. During the 18th and 19th centuries, jewelers began to create jewelry with birthstones corresponding to a person’s month of birth.
The original birthstone list was based on Aaron’s breastplate’s twelve stones. Further stones were added to the list over time.
In 1912, the National Association of Jewelers compiled the standard list of birthstones and published a gemstone color chart. Today, this organization is known as Jewelers of America.
More specifically, they standardized the list of stones and assigned them to specific months.
Since then, the list has largely remained unchanged, though some alternative birthstones for specific months have been suggested.
Today, birthstones are still popular and are often given as gifts to celebrate a birthday or other special occasion.
Birthstone Chart
Birthstone Colors by Month
Whether you’re a die-hard believer in the magical powers of gemstones or enjoy the way they look in your collection, there’s no denying that birthstones have a special place in our hearts.
From the passionate red of January’s garnet to the serene blue of September’s sapphire, each birthstone color has its own meaning and symbolism. So let’s take a look at birthstone colors by month.
January Birthstone Color and Meanings
- January Birthstone: Garnet
- January Birthstone Color: Rich, deep red
- Red Garnet Meaning: Protection
The birthstone of January is garnet, a deep, rich red gemstone.
Besides being a stunning accessory, this red gemstone is known for its protective nature.
In ancient times, practicing healers used this stone to heal wounds. Thus, it is said to promote health and keep you out of danger. Whatever they may be: illness, bad dreams, or even enemies.
This birthstone in ancient Egypt was believed to ward off bad dreams and depression.
Hindu astrology says that red garnet can help you let go of negative emotions and patterns. This enables you to let go of past traumas and move on with a clear mind.
The birthstone also offers vitality and encouragement, telling you that anything is possible if you believe in yourself. So, it helps you achieve your dreams.
Although the variant with the richest symbolism is red, the stone can be found in several colors, such as green, brown, or black.
February Birthstone Color and Meanings
- February Birthstone: Amethyst
- February Birthstone Color: Purple
- Purple Amethyst Meaning: Wisdom
According to the gemstone color chart, the colors of February are shades of purple. So, the February stone color is purple, while this month’s gemstone is amethyst.
This lilac-to-deep purple gemstone has captivated mankind since ancient times, with strong symbolism linked to love and spirituality.
Amethyst is said to give you the wisdom to keep your temper and avoid falling into the passion of vices such as drunkenness. This symbolic association comes from the Greek origin of the name “Amethystos” which means “not drunk.”
Furthermore, this birthstone is believed to aid clear thinking and promote tranquility.
Moreover, healers frequently use it to ward off spells and bad dreams.
So, whether you wear lilac, or deep purple shades, these are the colors of february!
March Birthstone Color and Meanings
- March Birthstone: Aquamarine
- March Birthstone Color: Aquamarine
- Aquamarine Meaning: Serenity
This lovely pale blue birthstone conjures up images of calm waters and tranquillity. It represents relaxation and inner peace, as expected. As the stone of self-expression, it also aids in verbal communication.
It also provides a sense of security. In the past, aquamarine amulets were worn by sailors for protection at sea.
Historically associated with protection and fearlessness, this stone is now also associated with happiness, harmony, and balance.
If you’re stressed, this stone can help you find a sense of peace and serenity, allowing you to recharge your batteries.
Finally, it is understandable why it is such an expensive and rare gemstone. Also, only a few countries, like Brazil, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Nigeria, and Mozambique, mine it.
April Birthstone Color and Meanings
- April Birthstone: Diamond
- April Birthstone Color: White
- White Diamond Meaning: Strength
The April birthstone is diamond, the hardest and most powerful gemstone. It is also one of the most prestigious. As a result, the modern April birthstone color is white, which represents clarity and purity.
This birthstone has captivated people’s hearts for millennia and is the most prized piece of jewelry. Are you curious about what it means? Well, the April birthstone symbolizes strength and courage. In addition, it is thought to bring good fortune to those born in this month.
The origin of the word comes from the Greek “Adamas,” which means “invincible.” It is so hard that only another diamond can cut it. Specifically, it is 58 times harder than corundum, the hardest mineral on the planet.
As a result, people born in April have the ambition and strength to overcome the most difficult challenges.
This stone is associated with love and happiness, in addition to protection and strength. That is why it is used in engagement rings.
May Birthstone Color and Meanings
- May Birthstone: Emerald
- May Birthstone Color: Green
- Green Emerald Meaning: Growth
If you were born in May, your birthstone is a green emerald, which is one of the rarest gemstones on the planet.
Your May birthstone color is derived from the Greek word “smaragdus,” which means green stone. It is the stone of wisdom!
This vibrant green gemstone is said to boost intelligence and aid in objective thinking. Furthermore, according to some legends, this stone can help increase future predictability.
Emerald was a protective symbol in ancient Egypt. Because of this, monarchs buried it in the ground.
It is also associated with the green chakra and is said to have emotional healing properties. Furthermore, it represents peace, loyalty, and friendship, as do those born in May.
June Birthstone Color and Meanings
- June Birthstone: Pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite
- June Birthstone Color: White, red, and green
- June Birthstones Color Meaning: Honesty (white pearl), love (white moonstone), and intellect (alexandrite)
If you were born in June, you’re in luck, as June’s birthstone color is not just one, but three. So, the colors of the month are white, red, and green.
June babies are blessed with three birthstones: pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite.
The main June birthstone is pearl, a unique gemstone found only in the tissue of living mollusks. It is known as Aphrodite’s joyful tears and represents honesty and purity.
Pearls are associated with wisdom and power in Chinese folklore. They are considered the tears of heaven in some Middle Eastern cultures.
Moonstone, June’s second birthstone, represents fertility, love, and passion. This is the primary birthstone for June in the Nordic countries, which are as cold as its cool, blue glow.
Moreover, it is also said to keep you safe while traveling.
This birthstone is extracted primarily from magmatic and metamorphic rocks.
Alexandrite is the third birthstone of June. However, unlike the traditional birthstones of June (pearl and moonstone), alexandrite is more of a modern birthstone.
Alexandrite was named after Russia’s next tsar, Alexander II, after its discovery in the Ural Mountains in 1830. Alexandrite is a precious stone for Russian royalty, hence its high price.
This one-of-a-kind gemstone is valued for its color-changing properties, ranging from green in daylight to purplish-red in incandescent light.
This June birthstone color meaning is easily seen in those born in this month, as it is said to represent intellect and aid concentration. They are imaginative and intuitive.
If you were born in June, your lucky birthstones would bring you honesty, love, and the wisdom you need to make the best decisions.
July Birthstone Color and Meanings
- July Birthstone: Ruby
- July Birthstone Color: Red
- Red Ruby Meaning: Vitality
The birthstone for July is ruby, a bright red gemstone.
Its name is derived from the Latin word “Rubeus,” which means “red” – the July birthstone color.
Ruby is one of the most valuable gemstones and is associated with strength, courage, and vitality.
Ruby is believed to possess mystic powers in Sanskrit and is considered the most valuable gemstone.
It is said to help calm anger and is regarded as an emotional healing stone. It was once one of the gemstones of kings and emperors because it was thought to increase endurance and leadership skills. Even warriors wore it to protect themselves on the battlefield.
In addition, ruby is said to have the ability to boost mental strength and relieve fatigue.
Furthermore, ruby is one of the four precious gemstones, along with diamond, emerald, and sapphire. Today, they’re mined in Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Thailand.
August Birthstone Color and Meanings
- August Birthstone: Peridot
- August Birthstone Color: Olive Green
- Peridot Meaning: Strength
The August birthstone is peridot, a bright green gemstone with a fairy-like glow that is quite rare in nature. So, the August birthstone color is green.
Peridot is said to protect you from the evils of the night. This meaning comes from ancient Egypt, where this stone was known as the “gem of the Sun,” and it was thought to protect wearers from night terrors.
This August stone was also thought to instill strength and soothe sadness in ancient Egypt.
It is also associated with wealth and good fortune. This word, for example, derives from the ancient Greek word “Peridona,” which means “abundance.”
Additionally, this August birthstone is said to aid in the elimination of negative emotions such as guilt and envy.
As a result, your August birthstone brings you protection, prosperity, good fortune, and strength. That is why green is your lucky color.
September Birthstone Color and Meanings
- September Birthstone: Sapphire
- September Birthstone Color: Deep blue
- Sapphire Meaning: Truth
Just as there are colors for each month, September is also represented by one: deep blue.
Sapphire, one of the most valuable gemstones, is the September birthstone. Although it is available in other colors, such as pink and yellow, blue sapphire is the most popular.
Sapphire derives from the Greek word “sappheiros,” which means “blue” and “precious stone” in ancient Greek.
Deep blue is associated with truth, freedom, serenity, and heaven when it comes to your September birthstone color. It’s the color of the sky and the sea, of wide open spaces, of freedom!
Sapphire, on the other hand, is said to protect against evil and negative thoughts, as well as to keep you away from envy.
Moreover, this gemstone is also known as the “Stone of Wisdom”, and it represents knowledge, learning, and spiritual awakening.
Sapphire is also associated with sincerity, truth, and faithfulness. This September gemstone is thought to bring confidence and serenity because it is associated with the element of water. As a result, it is given as a gift to couples celebrating 45 years of marriage.
Finally, your September gemstone color can bring you luck and happiness and help you balance yourself on all levels.
October Birthstone Color and Meanings
- October Birthstone: Opal and tourmaline
- October Birthstone Color: White and pink
- October Birthstones Color Meaning: Healing (opal) and creativity (pink tourmaline)
If you were born in October, your birthstones are opal and pink tourmaline. So, lucky you, there are two October birthstone colors: white and pink.
Opal is the traditional birthstone for October, and it reflects all of the rainbow colors. Even the origin of the word “Upala” which comes from Sanskrit, means ” shade of colors”. That is why it is linked to light. As a result, it embodies the power of all birthstone colors.
As a result, it is thought to be a healing stone with magical properties. This stone, according to Greek legend, bestows the gift of prophecy.
In Europe, this month’s birthstone, as well as the color white, represent purity and hope. That is why it is given as a gift on the 14th wedding anniversary.
Opal is currently mined in Australia, Brazil, Ethiopia, and Mexico. Interestingly, NASA’s Curiosity rover has discovered opal deposits on Mars. [1]
Pink tourmaline, the second October birthstone, is associated with creativity and artistic expression. This is the modern birthstone for October, as opposed to opal, which is the traditional one.
The name of this birthstone comes from the Sinhalese word “tōramalli,” which means “mixed colors.”
This October birthstone represents inspiration and is thought to protect the wearer from evil.
Furthermore, this pink gemstone is associated with healing, protection, mind-calming, and attracting positive energies.
November Birthstone Color and Meanings
- November Birthstone: Topaz and citrine
- November Birthstone Color: Yellow and orange
- November Birthstones Color Meaning: Harmony (yellow topaz) and happiness (citrine)
If you were born in October, your birthstones are yellow topaz and citrine. This implies that people born in November have two birthstone colors: yellow and orange.
Yellow topaz is a stunning gemstone that is in high demand due to its eye-catching color. In addition, yellow topaz is thought to bring warmth and harmony, as well as the ability to calm you.
The Indians believed that if you wore it over your heart, it would bring you intelligence and long life.
Citrine is the second birthstone of October.
Citrine is a golden quartz stone with a warm color, and its name comes from the Latin “Citrin,” which means lemon.
Citrine is a healing stone that is associated with joy, prosperity, and good health. It is also said to emit positive vibrations that counteract negativity.
In addition, the color of the November birthstone ranges from golden yellow to orange. It is linked to wisdom, wealth, and prosperity. It is also a symbol of transformation because it is associated with autumn.
For example, citrine ranges in color from yellow to orange-brown and is thought to bring clarity and emotional balance, as well as improve self-awareness.
December Birthstone Color and Meanings
- December Birthstone: Turquoise, tanzanite, and blue zircon
- December Birthstone Color: Turquoise and blue
- December Birthstones Color Meaning: Protection (turquoise), illumination (tanzanite), and purity (blue zircon)
If you were born in December, your birthstones are turquoise, tanzanite, and blue zircon. This means that the birthstone colors for December are turquoise (a greenish blue), respectively blue.
Turquoise is a soft gemstone that represents love, particularly the charm of love and protection from evil spirits. Although it is not expensive, it has calming properties.
Furthermore, in American culture, it was used to expel negative energies.
Turquoise is frequently given as a gift 11 years after a wedding because it is associated with peace, relationships, and good fortune.
Tanzanite is a blue-violet crystal that, as the name suggests, originated in Tanzania. Transzanite’s blue-violet color is illuminating and stimulates intuition, assisting you in connecting with your Higher Self.
Blue zircon, a modern version of lapis lazuli, is the third December birthstone. It represents purity, virtue, and dignity. This stone was used in ancient times to promote better sleep.
So, December’s birthstone colors are blue and turquoise.
These blue shades are associated with serenity, tranquillity, verbal communication, and self-expression.
F.A.Q.
What are the birthstone colors for each month?
January is red garnet, February is purple, March is aquamarine, April is white, May is emerald green, June is white, July is red, August is olive green, September is blue, October is pink, November is yellow, December is turquoise.
What are the birthstones by month?
Garnet is for January, amethyst for February, aquamarine for March, diamond for April, emerald for May, alexandrite for June, ruby for July, peridot for August, sapphire for September, tourmaline for October, topaz for November, and blue topaz for December.
Last Words on Birthstone Colors
Birthstones are a lovely way to commemorate the month of your birth.
Furthermore, they serve as a reminder of the special bond you share with your birth month. So, why not use its colors to bring balance into your life?
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