Birthstone Chart
Each month has its own birthstone, and a birthstone gift — a ring, pendant or simple charm — is a personal way to mark a birthday or a new baby. This printable chart lists the modern birthstones and their popular alternatives for all twelve months, with colours, hardness for everyday wear, traditional meanings and how to care for each gem.
Birthstone Chart Pack
Birthstone chart poster, monthly gift tags and cards, a family birthstone record, a gem care guide and a mother’s ring planner.
- Birthstone chart (PDF)
- Gift tags (PDF)
- Family record (XLSX)
- Care guide (PDF)
- Ring planner (DOCX/PDF)
Formats: PDF, DOCX, XLSX. Instant download after payment (link valid 72 hours, up to 5 downloads). AI-assisted: the templates were drafted with AI help and reviewed and laid out by Kedop.
$5.00 USD, one-time
Secure card checkout by Stripe. Full refund within 7 days — see the refund policy and license.
Birthstones by month
| Month | Birthstone | Colour | Mohs hardness | Traditional meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Deep red (also orange, green) | 6.5–7.5 | Friendship, trust |
| February | Amethyst | Purple | 7 | Calm, clarity |
| March | Aquamarine (also bloodstone) | Sea blue | 7.5–8 | Courage, serenity |
| April | Diamond | Colourless (also fancy colours) | 10 | Strength, eternal love |
| May | Emerald | Green | 7.5–8 | Rebirth, love |
| June | Pearl, alexandrite, moonstone | White / colour-change / milky | 2.5–4.5 (pearl), 8.5 (alexandrite) | Purity, luck |
| July | Ruby | Red | 9 | Passion, protection |
| August | Peridot, spinel, sardonyx | Lime green / many colours / banded | 6.5–7 (peridot), 8 (spinel) | Strength, good fortune |
| September | Sapphire | Blue (also other colours) | 9 | Wisdom, loyalty |
| October | Opal, tourmaline | Play-of-colour / many colours | 5.5–6.5 (opal), 7–7.5 (tourmaline) | Hope, creativity |
| November | Topaz, citrine | Golden yellow / orange | 8 (topaz), 7 (citrine) | Warmth, friendship |
| December | Turquoise, tanzanite, zircon | Sky blue / violet-blue / blue | 5–6 (turquoise), 6.5–7 (tanzanite) | Success, good fortune |
The modern list dates back to a list adopted by jewellers in the United States in 1912 and has been updated several times since — tanzanite was added for December in 2002 and spinel for August in 2016. Meanings are traditional and cultural, not scientific.
Hardness and everyday wear
Gem hardness on the Mohs scale, from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond), shows how well a stone resists scratching. Stones of 7 and above — such as amethyst, aquamarine, emerald, topaz, ruby and sapphire — are generally suitable for rings worn every day, although emerald is often fragile because of inclusions. Softer stones such as pearl, opal and turquoise are better in earrings and pendants, or in rings with protective settings, and need more careful handling.
Caring for birthstone jewellery
| Stone | Care |
|---|---|
| Diamond, ruby, sapphire | Warm soapy water and a soft brush |
| Emerald | Gentle wipe; avoid ultrasonic cleaners and heat (often oil-treated) |
| Pearl | Wipe with a soft cloth after wearing; keep away from perfume and hairspray; put on last |
| Opal | Avoid sudden temperature changes and soaking; store separately |
| Turquoise | Wipe with a dry cloth; avoid water, oils and chemicals |
| Most others | Mild soap and water, rinse and dry; store separately to avoid scratches |
Choosing a birthstone gift
- New baby: a small pendant or charm that can be added to over the years.
- Mother’s jewellery: a ring or necklace with each child’s birthstone.
- Milestone birthday: a better-quality stone in a classic setting.
- Budget: lab-grown and simulated stones offer the colour at a lower price — ask the seller which you are buying.
- Alternatives: some months have several stones; choose by colour preference or durability.
Natural, treated and lab-grown
Many gems are treated to improve colour or clarity — heating is routine for sapphire and ruby, and emeralds are often oiled. Lab-grown stones have the same chemistry as natural ones; simulants only look similar. Reputable sellers disclose treatments and whether a stone is natural or lab-grown, and major purchases can come with a report from an independent gem laboratory.
What’s in the pack
- Birthstone chart poster (PDF).
- Birthstone gift tags and cards for each month.
- Family birthstone record — names, birthdays and stones.
- Gem care guide.
- Mother’s ring and family necklace planner.
Formats and printing
The chart prints on US Letter or A4; gift tags print on card stock. The family record comes as an editable Word and Excel file.
AI-assisted content
Birthstone lists and care notes were compiled with AI assistance and reviewed by Kedop against widely published modern lists. Meanings are traditional folklore.
Frequently asked questions
What is the birthstone for each month?
January garnet, February amethyst, March aquamarine, April diamond, May emerald, June pearl, July ruby, August peridot, September sapphire, October opal, November topaz, December turquoise — with alternatives for several months.
Why do some months have more than one birthstone?
Lists were updated over time to add more affordable or durable options.
Which birthstones are best for everyday rings?
Harder stones such as diamond, ruby, sapphire, topaz and aquamarine.
Are lab-grown birthstones real?
They have the same chemistry as natural stones; simulants only look similar.
Does the pack include gift tags?
Yes, for every month.
Is this a subscription?
No, it is a one-time download.