What is My Birthstone? The Colors and Their Meanings

Birthstones are precious gemstones often worn not only for their vivid colors but also for the significance they hold.

In this guide, learn what are the birthstones for each month and the meaning they hold. Most importantly, find out what your birthstone is and why you should be wearing it as a pendant, necklace, or bracelet.

What is a Birthstone?

A birthstone is a gemstone that represents a person’s birth month or zodiac sign. Each stone is associated with various characteristics that are believed to reflect that of an individual’s personality.

In the modern times, it is common to see people wearing their birthstones as a piece of jewelry. This is because many believe that wearing your birthstone can bring you good luck, good health, and protection.

Birthstones Chart

Colors and Meanings of Birthstones

January – Garnet

Garnet is the birthstone most associated with January. It is also the crystal for those born under the signs of Capricorn and Aquarius.

Color: Deep Red

Meaning: The word “garnet” derives from the Latin word “granatum,” which means seed. This is because garnet resembles the color and shape of pomegranate seeds. Garnet’s fiery red color represents power, confidence, and energy.

Traits: People born with garnet as their birthstone are often energetic, spontaneous, and feisty. They are also known for being loyal, friendly, and loving individuals.

Benefits: Wearing garnet gives you some kind of protection against impending dangers. It’s the ideal stone to keep you safe from travels. As the stone of passionate devotion, it is also worn to signify trust and friendship.

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February – Amethyst

Amethyst is the birthstone most associated with February. It is also the crystal for those born under the signs of Aquarius and Pisces.

Color: Purple

Meaning: The word “amethyst” derives from the Greek word “amethustos,” which means sober. It has long been associated with the Greek god of wine, Dionysus. According to legends, wearing the amethyst helps you prevent intoxication, allowing you to be clear-headed all the time.

Traits: People born with amethyst as their birthstone are often clever, intelligent, and creative.

Benefits: Wearing amethyst helps you maintain a clear mind and bring out your wit. It is also thought to provide its wearer strength and courage.

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March – Aquamarine

Aquamarine is the birthstone most associated with March. It is also the crystal for those born under the signs of Pisces and Aries.

Color: Seawater Blue

Meaning: The word “aquamarine” derives from the Latin words “aqua” and “marina,” which translates to seawater. As the seawater stone, its meaning revolves around the serene qualities of the sea.

Traits: People born with aquamarine as their birthstone are often calm, peaceful, and lead an honest life.

Benefits: Wearing aquamarine helps you soothe unpleasant emotions and maintain your levelheadedness. It is also thought to protect you when traveling by bodies of water.

Alternative: Bloodstone

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April – Diamond

Diamond is the birthstone most associated with April. It is also the crystal for those born under the signs of Aries and Taurus.

Color: Clear

Meaning: The word “diamond” derives from the Greek word “adamas,” which means unbreakable. As such, this gemstone has long been a symbol of everlasting love. This makes it a popular choice to give as gifts between couples, especially as engagement rings. However, because diamonds are rare and come in hefty prices, it is common to opt for similar-colored stones like clear quartz for those who want to wear it as birthstone jewelry.

Traits: People born with diamond as their birthstone are often known for their determination. Like the tough gemstone, their resolve is hard to break. And when put under pressure, these individuals shine brighter like the diamond.

Benefits: Wearing diamond is thought to inspire lasting relationships. It inspires harmonious and fulfilling love between couples. It is also the gem to spark resilience, endurance, courage, abundance, and happiness when one wears it.

Alternative: Clear Quartz

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May – Emerald

Emerald is the birthstone most associated with May. It is also the crystal for those born under the signs of Taurus and Gemini.

Color: Green

Meaning: The word “emerald” derives from the Greek term “smaragdus,” which means green. This crystal has long been associated with love, rebirth, health, and wealth.

Traits: People born with emerald as their birthstone are often loving and compassionate. They are also perceptive, and they tend to understand other people’s feelings. That’s why they get along well with friends and loved ones with different personalities.

Benefits: Wearing emerald is thought to bestow youth, wealth, and foresight to those who wear it. The stone is also said to evoke rebirth and renewal to its wearer, bringing hope and energy as one starts anew with his life.

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June – Pearl

Pearl is the birthstone most associated with June. It is also the crystal for those born under the signs of Gemini and Cancer.

Color: White

Meaning: Pearl is a unique gemstone as it is the only gem sourced from living sea creatures, which are mollusks. This white gem has long been seen as a symbol of sincerity, innocence, and purity in many cultures. This explains why brides wear pearls on the wedding day.

Traits: People born with pearl as their birthstone are often loving, romantic, and affectionate. However, they can be emotional too, and their moods can change quickly. Still, pearl personalities are hopeful about their future, which roots from their sense of clarity.

Benefits: Wearing pearl is thought to aid in marital problems. It is traditionally worn to encourage a stable relationship. Pearls are also believed to bring good luck and wealth.

Alternatives: Alexandrite, Moonstone

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July – Ruby

Ruby is the birthstone most associated with July. It is also the crystal for those born under the signs of Cancer and Leo.

Color: Dark Red

Meaning: The word “ruby” derives from the Latin word “rubeus,” which means red. It is considered the king of stone, with its dark red color symbolizing many things. These include strength, vitality, wealth, success, passion, and love.

Traits: People born with ruby as their birthstone are often outgoing, fun-loving, and adventurous. They are also seen as passionate and loving individuals.

Benefits: Wearing ruby is thought to protect you from evil and harm. With its color resembling blood, the stone is also believed to have healing properties that can improve one’s health and vitality. Many also consider fine ruby as a bringer of wealth and good fortune.

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August – Peridot

Peridot is the birthstone most associated with August. It is also the crystal for those born under the signs of Leo and Virgo.

Color: Lime Green

Meaning: The word “peridot” derives from the Greek word “peridona,” which means giving plenty. True enough, the peridot stone symbolizes the life-giving energy of the sun, hence, it’s considered the “gem of the sun.”

Traits: People born with peridot as their birthstone are often warm, kind, friendly, and charming. They are known as the welcoming light in any circle, beaming with their warmth just like the sun.

Benefits: Wearing peridot helps you find joy and positivity in every situation. This stone is traditionally worn to reduce stress and negative feelings, often used to fight depression. It is also used to protect its wearer from nightmares.

Alternatives: Spinel, Sardonyx

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September – Sapphire

Sapphire is the birthstone most associated with September. It is also the crystal for those born under the signs of Virgo and Libra.

Color: Deep Blue

Meaning: The word “sapphire” derives from the term “sapphirus,” which means blue stone in Latin. It is a stone the represents wisdom, purity, trust, and loyalty. For centuries, sapphire has been considered a symbol of heavens and is used to attract heavenly blessings.

Traits: People born with sapphire as their birthstone are often sharp and intelligent. They are also known for being calm and reserved, only opening up to those who they trust. When they trust someone, they can be highly dependable.

Benefits: Wearing sapphire is thought to promote wisdom and loyalty. It is worn to focus the mind, bestow truth, and preserve purity. This stone is also believed to protect its wearer from harm and evil.

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October – Tourmaline

Tourmaline is the birthstone most associated with October. It is also the crystal for those born under the signs of Libra and Scorpio.

Color: Multi-color, often pink and green

Meaning: The word “tourmaline” derives from the term “toramalli,” which means mixed colored stone in Sinhalese. Of its varieties, the watermelon tourmaline is a popular kind that features pink, green, and white bands in one stone. It is often called the “gateway to inner self.”

Traits: People born with tourmaline as their birthstone are often gentle and compassionate, yet brave and adventurous by nature. These traits are the result of the combined pink and green colors in the gemstone.

Benefits: Wearing watermelon tourmaline is thought to encourage creativity and practicality, allowing one to think out of the box and to achieve his goals. This stone also helps balance your male and female energies as well as protect you from negative forces.

Alternative: Opal

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November – Citrine

Citrine is the birthstone most associated with November. It is also the crystal for those born under the signs of Scorpio and Sagittarius.

Color: Yellow

Meaning: Citrine is a variation of quartz known for its yellow color. It is believed to be a gift from the sun, bestowing vitality and healing to those who own it. Thus, it is called the “healing quartz.” In feng shui traditions, this yellow stone is thought to manifest desires and speed up wealth creation.

Traits: People born with citrine as their birthstone are often optimistic, drawing out the positive energy of the sun. They are also blessed with good luck and good fortune, with citrine being the success stone.

Benefits: Wearing citrine is thought to promote prosperity. As the “Lucky Merchant’s Stone,” it helps bring success in one’s business or career. It is also said to improve self-confidence and encourage a positive mindset.

Alternative: Topaz

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December – Turquoise

Turquoise is the birthstone most associated with December. It is also the crystal for those born under the signs of Sagittarius and Capricorn.

Color: Sky Blue

Meaning: Turquoise is a popular love charm since ancient times. It is thought to contain the serene energy and healing properties of water that inspire enduring love.

Traits: People born with turquoise as their birthstone are often considered wise for their age. These “old souls” tend to have a love for knowledge, and they are also the friendly type. In fact, they are protective individuals to their friends and loved ones.

Benefits: Wearing turquoise is thought to inspire a host of positive traits, including wisdom, honesty, kinship, spirituality, as well as love. It is also said to bring wealth, good fortune, protection, and luck according to various ancient civilizations.

Alternatives: Tanzanite, Zircon, Blue Topaz

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