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Birthstone: A complete guide to birthstones

Birthstone Guide by Month | Nina Wynn - Design Preview
NINA WYNN
Your month. Your color. Your story. Image placeholder · 1800 × 1800

The Nina Wynn birthstone edit

Birthstone guide by month.

Your month. Your color. Your story.

Find your birthstone, explore its colors, and choose jewelry with a little more meaning. From January's garnet to December's blues, this guide brings the gemstones, care tips, and gifting ideas together in one place.

Wear your own month. Celebrate someone you love. Or simply follow your favorite color.

Find my birthstone Shop gemstone earrings
12 months21 birthstonesEndless ways to make it yours

Start with your month

What is my birthstone?

Birthstones are gemstones associated with the months of the year. Tap a month to read its guide, or tap a gemstone to explore matching Nina Wynn jewelry.

01
January
Garnet
02
February
Amethyst
03
March
Aquamarine Bloodstone
04
April
Diamond
05
May
Emerald
06
June
Moonstone Pearl Alexandrite
07
July
Ruby
08
August
Peridot Spinel Sardonyx
09
September
Sapphire
10
October
Opal Tourmaline
11
November
Citrine Topaz
12
December
Turquoise Tanzanite Zircon

This chart follows GIA's birthstone guides. Traditions and retail lists can vary. Gemstone colors shown here are illustrative, not exact product colors.

Some gemstone links open product searches, which may include multi-stone designs. Selection varies; a link does not guarantee a particular stone is in stock. Looking for something you cannot find? Ask the Nina Wynn team.

A closer look

Birthstone colors, meanings & jewelry

Explore the month that matters to you. Open each card for gemstone details, care notes, and styling ideas.

The suggested meanings below are personal gifting sentiments, not claims that a gemstone determines your personality or changes your health or luck.

Garnet jewelry Image placeholder · 1200 × 1200

01 / January

January birthstone

Garnet

A rich start to your story.

Garnet is January's birthstone. Deep red is its familiar face, but the garnet family also includes beautiful green, orange, yellow, and purple gems.

Shop garnet
Meaning, color & care

A meaning to make your own: A reminder of the people and moments you hold close.

Garnet

Color: Red, with green, orange, yellow, and purple varieties. Mohs hardness: 6.5-7.5.

Clean with warm, mild soapy water and a soft brush. Skip steam cleaning and protect the stone from knocks and harder gems.

Style it your way: Try a small garnet stud beside a simple gold hoop, or let a garnet pendant bring a little depth to your necklace layers.

Gem facts: GIA's January birthstone guide.

Amethyst jewelry Image placeholder · 1200 × 1200

02 / February

February birthstone

Amethyst

Your daily dose of purple.

Amethyst is February's birthstone: a purple variety of quartz that ranges from pale lilac to a deep, saturated violet.

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Meaning, color & care

A meaning to make your own: A little pause, a little perspective, and a color that feels like you.

Amethyst

Color: Lilac, lavender, and deep purple. Mohs hardness: 7.

Use mild soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid steam, high heat, and prolonged strong sunlight, which can affect its color.

Style it your way: Choose lilac for a softer look or a deeper purple for contrast. Amethyst is an easy starting point for a colorful ear stack.

Gem facts: GIA's February birthstone guide.

Aquamarine & Bloodstone jewelry Image placeholder · 1200 × 1200

03 / March

March birthstones

Aquamarine & Bloodstone

Ocean blues or earthy greens.

March has two birthstones: aquamarine and bloodstone. Choose aquamarine for an airy blue look, or bloodstone for a darker, more grounded palette.

Shop aquamarine Search bloodstone
Meaning, color & care

A meaning to make your own: A fresh chapter, a meaningful journey, or a moment of courage.

Aquamarine

Color: Light blue to greenish blue. Mohs hardness: 7.5-8.

A member of the beryl family. Clean gently with warm soapy water and a soft brush; keep it protected from hard impacts.

Bloodstone

Color: Dark green with red markings. Mohs hardness: 6.5-7.

A variety of chalcedony. Use warm soapy water and keep it away from harsh chemicals and extreme heat.

Style it your way: Pair aquamarine with diamond accents for a light, tonal look. Bloodstone offers a very different mood in a polished cabochon or pendant.

Gem facts: GIA's March birthstone guide.

Diamond jewelry Image placeholder · 1200 × 1200

04 / April

April birthstone

Diamond

A little brilliance. All yours.

Diamond is April's birthstone. Colorless diamonds are the classic choice, but diamonds also occur in a range of colors.

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Meaning, color & care

A meaning to make your own: An enduring connection, a milestone, or a promise to yourself.

Diamond

Color: Colorless and a range of fancy colors. Mohs hardness: 10.

Highly scratch-resistant does not mean unbreakable. Protect it from sharp knocks, clean according to any treatment requirements, and have the setting checked periodically.

Style it your way: A diamond stud can anchor a colorful stack or shine on its own. Choose the shape, size, and setting that suit the way you dress.

Prefer a clear alternative? White topaz is a different gemstone, not a diamond. It can be a personal styling choice, but diamond is the listed April birthstone. Explore white topaz designs.

Gem facts: GIA's April birthstone guide.

Emerald jewelry Image placeholder · 1200 × 1200

05 / May

May birthstone

Emerald

Your own little green escape.

Emerald is May's birthstone. Its green color gives even a small piece of jewelry a distinctive presence, from a tiny stud to a statement ring.

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Meaning, color & care

A meaning to make your own: A celebration of growth, renewal, or someone who makes life brighter.

Emerald

Color: Green to bluish green. Mohs hardness: 7.5-8.

Many emeralds have surface-reaching fractures and clarity-enhancing fillers. Clean gently with warm soapy water. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners, harsh chemicals, and heat.

Style it your way: Let emerald be the color accent in an otherwise simple stack, or pair it with diamond for a crisp contrast.

Gem facts: GIA's May birthstone guide.

Moonstone, Pearl & Alexandrite jewelry Image placeholder · 1200 × 1200

06 / June

June birthstones

Moonstone, Pearl & Alexandrite

Three ways to find your glow.

June has three birthstones: moonstone, pearl, and alexandrite. They offer very different looks, from a soft sheen to a remarkable change of color.

Shop moonstone Search pearl Search alexandrite
Meaning, color & care

A meaning to make your own: A connection worth celebrating, in whichever form feels most personal.

Moonstone

Color: Often colorless or milky, with a floating sheen. Mohs hardness: 6-6.5.

A feldspar gem known for its moving glow. Clean with warm soapy water; avoid steam, ultrasonic cleaners, heat, and hard knocks.

Pearl

Color: White and cream, plus other natural or cultured colors. Mohs hardness: 2.5-3.

An organic gem formed in a mollusk. Wipe with a soft, damp cloth after wear. Apply cosmetics first and store pearls away from harder jewelry.

Alexandrite

Color: Greenish in daylight; reddish or purplish in incandescent light. Mohs hardness: 8.5.

A color-changing variety of chrysoberyl. Warm soapy water is a gentle cleaning choice. Ask about origin and any treatments before buying.

Style it your way: Choose moonstone for a luminous accent, pearl for a softer finish, or alexandrite for an unexpected color story.

Gem facts: GIA's June birthstone guide.

Ruby jewelry Image placeholder · 1200 × 1200

07 / July

July birthstone

Ruby

A small stone. A bold feeling.

Ruby is July's birthstone. This red variety of corundum brings a vivid accent to jewelry, whether the design is minimal or unapologetically bold.

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Meaning, color & care

A meaning to make your own: A love letter, a brave new beginning, or a celebration with heart.

Ruby

Color: Red, sometimes with purplish or orangy tones. Mohs hardness: 9.

Care depends on treatment. Warm soapy water suits many rubies, but glass-filled or dyed material needs gentler care, such as a damp cloth. Ask before using cleaning equipment.

Style it your way: A single ruby stud adds a deliberate pop of red. Mix it with diamond accents or keep the rest of your jewelry simple.

Gem facts: GIA's July birthstone guide.

Peridot, Spinel & Sardonyx jewelry Image placeholder · 1200 × 1200

08 / August

August birthstones

Peridot, Spinel & Sardonyx

Fresh green, vivid color, or beautiful bands.

August has three birthstones: peridot, spinel, and sardonyx. Its palette is much broader than the bright green that often comes to mind first.

Shop peridot Search spinel Search sardonyx
Meaning, color & care

A meaning to make your own: A fresh perspective and the freedom to choose your own kind of color.

Peridot

Color: Yellowish green to olive green. Mohs hardness: 6.5-7.

Protect it from rough wear and sudden temperature changes. Use warm soapy water, never steam or an ultrasonic cleaner.

Spinel

Color: Red, pink, purple, blue, and other colors. Mohs hardness: 8.

A distinct gem, not a type of ruby. Warm soapy water is a gentle choice; fractures and treatments can affect cleaning options.

Sardonyx

Color: Reddish-brown bands with white or darker layers. Mohs hardness: 6.5-7.

A banded chalcedony traditionally used for cameos and carvings. Protect its polished surface from scratches and clean gently.

Style it your way: Use peridot as a fresh green accent, spinel for a favorite saturated hue, or sardonyx when you prefer pattern to sparkle.

Gem facts: GIA's August birthstone guide.

Sapphire jewelry Image placeholder · 1200 × 1200

09 / September

September birthstone

Sapphire

Blue is only the beginning.

Sapphire is September's birthstone. Blue is its best-known color, but pink, yellow, green, and other sapphire colors offer plenty of room for personal style.

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Meaning, color & care

A meaning to make your own: A steady connection, a meaningful commitment, or a color you never tire of.

Sapphire

Color: Blue, pink, yellow, green, and more. Mohs hardness: 9.

Usually a durable jewelry choice, but treatments matter. Ask about care for filled or dyed stones; these may require only a damp cloth rather than standard cleaning methods.

Style it your way: Try blue sapphire with diamonds for contrast, or choose pink sapphire for a softer palette. Your September birthstone does not have to be blue.

Gem facts: GIA's September birthstone guide.

Opal & Tourmaline jewelry Image placeholder · 1200 × 1200

10 / October

October birthstones

Opal & Tourmaline

A color story with a twist.

October has two birthstones: opal and tourmaline. Opal can offer shifting flashes of color, while tourmaline brings an exceptionally varied palette.

Shop opal Search tourmaline
Meaning, color & care

A meaning to make your own: A celebration of creativity, individuality, and everything that makes you you.

Opal

Color: Varied body colors; precious opal displays play-of-color. Mohs hardness: 5-6.5.

Protect it from scratches, heat, and sudden temperature changes. Care differs for solid opals, treated stones, and assembled doublets or triplets; ask before soaking.

Tourmaline

Color: Pink, green, red, blue, and multicolor varieties. Mohs hardness: 7-7.5.

Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid steam, ultrasonic cleaning, and sudden temperature changes.

Style it your way: Choose opal for a luminous focal point or pink tourmaline for a warm blush accent. Green and multicolor tourmaline are October options, too.

Gem facts: GIA's October birthstone guide.

Citrine & Topaz jewelry Image placeholder · 1200 × 1200

11 / November

November birthstones

Citrine & Topaz

A warm glow, or your favorite blue.

November has two birthstones: citrine and topaz. Citrine brings golden warmth, while topaz offers colors that reach well beyond yellow and orange.

Shop citrine Search topaz
Meaning, color & care

A meaning to make your own: A thank-you, a shared memory, or a bright spot in someone's day.

Citrine

Color: Yellow to brownish orange. Mohs hardness: 7.

A variety of quartz. Many commercial citrines are produced by heating amethyst. Use warm soapy water and avoid high heat.

Topaz

Color: Colorless, yellow, orange, pink, blue, and more. Mohs hardness: 8.

Its hardness does not prevent cleavage-related chipping. Protect it from impacts, and avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam, and sudden temperature changes.

Style it your way: Choose citrine for a golden accent. For a cooler palette, explore blue topaz: it is still topaz, even when the color feels nothing like autumn.

Gem facts: GIA's November birthstone guide.

Turquoise, Tanzanite & Zircon jewelry Image placeholder · 1200 × 1200

12 / December

December birthstones

Turquoise, Tanzanite & Zircon

Blue moods. Personal meaning.

December has three birthstones on GIA's list: turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon. Choose an opaque blue-green, a rich blue-violet, or a sparkling faceted stone.

Shop turquoise Search tanzanite Search zircon
Meaning, color & care

A meaning to make your own: A memorable journey, a new horizon, or someone who feels like home.

Turquoise

Color: Opaque blue to green. Mohs hardness: 5-6.

Protect it from cosmetics, chemicals, and heat. Use gentle cleaning suited to any treatments; avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaners.

Tanzanite

Color: Blue to violet. Mohs hardness: 6-7.

Treat it gently and protect it from temperature changes. Earrings and pendants are good ways to reduce impacts. Never use steam or ultrasonic cleaning.

Zircon

Color: Blue and many other colors. Mohs hardness: 6-7.5.

Zircon is a natural gemstone, not cubic zirconia. Keep it away from rough wear and use warm soapy water rather than an ultrasonic cleaner.

Style it your way: Try turquoise for a distinct color accent, tanzanite for a violet-blue glow, or zircon when you love a brighter, faceted look.

What about blue topaz? It appears in some December jewelry ranges, but it is an alternative here, not a replacement for GIA's listed trio. Explore blue topaz designs.

Gem facts: GIA's December birthstone guide.

Jewelry with a connection

Make the birthstone part of the story.

A birthday is only the beginning. Use a birthstone to celebrate your people, mark a milestone, or make your favorite jewelry feel more personal.

A birthday, made personal Image placeholder · 1200 × 1500

A birthday, made personal

Start with their month, then choose the gemstone color and earring style they would reach for most. A personal gift can still feel completely effortless.

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Your people. Your ear stack. Image placeholder · 1200 × 1500

Your people. Your ear stack.

Mix your own birthstone with a partner's or a child's. Keep the metal consistent for a pulled-together look, or make the mix part of the story.

Explore flat back earrings
A little meaning, layered Image placeholder · 1200 × 1500

A little meaning, layered

Build a necklace look around a meaningful color. Try one gemstone focal point with a simpler chain so the personal detail has room to stand out.

Explore necklaces

Not sure which stone they would choose? Give them the fun of finding it.

Explore jewelry gift cards

Before you choose

Choose the piece, not just the month.

01

Start with their style.

A birthstone should feel like something they would actually wear. Consider their favorite colors, preferred metal, and whether they love tiny studs, statement earrings, or layered necklaces.

02

Read the material details.

Check whether the gem is natural, laboratory-grown, or an imitation, and ask about treatments. A natural stone can be treated; its origin and treatment are separate questions.

03

Think about daily life.

Hardness measures resistance to scratching, not every kind of durability. A protective setting, the right jewelry style, and appropriate care all help you enjoy the gemstone you choose.

For more on gemstone identity and treatments, explore GIA's Gem Encyclopedia.

A little care goes a long way

How to care for birthstone jewelry

There is no single cleaning method for every gemstone. Follow the instructions for your particular stone, its treatments, and its setting.

Protect the delicate ones.

Pearl, opal, moonstone, turquoise, and tanzanite need extra care. Keep them away from rough handling and check their individual cleaning requirements.

Keep cleaning gentle.

Warm, mild soapy water suits many gems, but not every treatment or assembly. Pearls are best wiped with a soft, damp cloth. Do not assume an ultrasonic or steam cleaner is safe.

Give each piece space.

Store pieces separately so harder stones and metal do not scratch softer gems. Have loose settings or damaged pieces checked before wearing them again.

Care notes are drawn from the GIA gemstone guides linked in each monthly card. Questions about your Nina Wynn piece? Contact our team before cleaning it.

A few good questions

Birthstone guide FAQs

Why do some months have more than one birthstone?

Birthstone lists reflect different traditions and later additions. This guide follows GIA's monthly selection, which includes bloodstone for March and sardonyx for August alongside better-known choices. More than one stone gives you more freedom to choose a color and jewelry style you enjoy. See GIA's birthstone guides.

Can I wear a birthstone that is not my birth month?

Absolutely. Choose your own month, celebrate someone close to you, or simply pick a color you love. A birthstone can be a personal symbol without becoming a rule about what you should wear.

Does each birthstone have just one color?

No. Garnet, sapphire, tourmaline, and several other birthstones occur in multiple colors. A month's familiar color is only a starting point. For example, pink sapphire is still sapphire, and green garnet is still garnet. Explore the month-by-month chart.

Is white topaz an April birthstone, and is blue topaz a December birthstone?

This guide lists diamond for April and turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon for December, following GIA. White topaz and blue topaz can be chosen as personal alternatives, but topaz belongs to November in this list. White topaz is not diamond, and blue topaz is not blue zircon. Read about April or explore December.

Are lab-grown birthstones real gemstones?

A laboratory-grown diamond is diamond, with essentially the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as natural diamond; its origin is different. The same distinction applies to a properly identified lab-created counterpart of a gemstone. An imitation only resembles another gem and is a different material. Read each product's material description. Learn about natural and lab-grown diamonds at GIA.

Which birthstones are best for everyday jewelry?

Ruby and sapphire are durable choices, and diamond resists scratching particularly well. Softer or more delicate gems, such as pearl, opal, moonstone, and tanzanite, need more protection. The setting, stone condition, treatments, and your activities matter too. Everyday wear does not mean every activity. Read the care notes.

What should I check before buying birthstone jewelry as a gift?

Start with the recipient's month and favorite colors. Then check the metal, dimensions, gemstone identity, treatments, and whether an earring is sold individually or as a pair. For rings and bracelets, confirm sizing. Still undecided? A Nina Wynn jewelry gift card lets them choose.

Can I mix several family birthstones together?

Yes. Try one stone for each child, a pairing for two partners, or a mix that celebrates several people in your family. An ear stack or necklace combination lets you tell the story over more than one piece. Ask us for help finding a combination.

Fine jewelry. Personal meaning.

Find the color that feels like you.

Start with your birthstone. Stay for the piece you love.

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