Months and Birthstones

Alternative Birthstones

January  - Garnet   February - Amethyst   March -  Aquamarine   April - Diamond   May - Emerald   June - Pearl   July - Ruby   August - Peridot   September - Sapphire   October - Opal   November - Topaz   December - Turquoise

January - Almost all sources are consistent in stating that garnet is the birthstone for January. February - Most sources agree on the amethyst as February's birthstone, but a few list pearls. March - Older sources were divided between jasper and bloodstone as the appropriate birthstone. April - Sapphires were often listed as April's birthstone. May - May has a lot of choices for birthstones: emeralds, agates, chalcedony or carnelian. June - Birthstone choices include emerald, agate, chalcedony, turquoise, pearl, moonstone and cat's-eye. July - The most common birthstone for July in older sources is the onyx.  Other birthstone candidates include sardonyx, carnelian, ruby and turquoise. August - Besides peridot, someone born in August could choose carnelian, sardonyx, moonstone, topaz or alexandrite as his or her birthstone. September - Birthstones could be chrysolite or sardonyx as well as sapphire. October - Although opal is the traditional birthstone for October, alternatives include tourmaline, beryl and aquamarine. November - Most older sources agree on topaz, but at least one gives pearl as an alternative birthstone. December - In past times, December's birthstone was most commonly listed as ruby.  Turquoise and bloodstone were other choices.  Lapis lazuli is also cited.