Gemstones have accompanied people for thousands of years — not just as decoration, but as a personal symbol, a keepsake for a milestone, and an expression of identity. When choosing a gemstone jewelry piece, many people weigh a classic diamond against a unique colored stone, or a birthstone that represents their birth month. In this guide, we'll walk through the leading gemstones in jewelry, the full birthstone list by month, and the traditional properties associated with each stone — so you can choose the piece that truly fits you, whether it's an engagement ring, a necklace, or a custom-designed piece.
What is a birthstone, and why is it so popular in jewelry?
A birthstone is a gemstone traditionally associated with a specific birth month, a custom rooted in ancient history and linked to the zodiac calendar. The idea of personalized birthstone jewelry has grown especially popular in recent decades, because it blends aesthetics with personal meaning — it's a piece that tells a story, not just an accessory. Birthstones now appear in rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, and make a beloved gift for a birthday, a new baby, or any meaningful occasion.
The leading gemstones in jewelry — by birth month and their traditional properties
The list below covers the birthstones recognized in Western tradition, along with professional gemological information on each stone and the properties traditionally attributed to it. It's worth noting that these traditional properties are part of folklore and cultural belief rather than scientific fact, but they remain an inseparable part of the magic gemstones hold in human culture.
January – Garnet
Garnet is best known in a deep red-burgundy tone, though it actually occurs in a wide range of colors, including green and even orange. On the Mohs hardness scale, garnet ranks around 6.5 to 7.5, making it a fairly durable stone well suited to rings and everyday jewelry. In folk tradition, garnet is associated with protection for travelers, along with vitality, passion, and self-confidence.
February – Amethyst
Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz, ranging from pale lilac to deep wine-purple. Its Mohs hardness is 7, making it a fairly strong stone that suits everyday jewelry beautifully. Traditionally, amethyst is regarded as a stone of calm and inner balance, often linked to mental clarity and protection from negative thoughts.
March – Aquamarine
Aquamarine belongs to the beryl family (the same mineral family as emerald), and is prized for its calm, clear sea-blue color. Its hardness ranges from 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, giving it excellent durability as a jewelry stone. According to ancient tradition, aquamarine was considered the protective stone of sailors, and is associated with calm, clear communication, and a connection to intuition.
April – Diamond
Diamond is the birthstone of April, and the hardest natural material on earth — a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale. Thanks to its maximum hardness, its signature brilliance (often called the diamond's "fire"), and its long-lasting durability, diamond is the leading stone in fine jewelry, and especially in engagement rings. Today, you can choose between a natural diamond, formed deep underground over millions of years, and a lab-grown diamond, which is chemically, physically, and optically identical to a natural diamond but produced through a controlled process. At Alena Diamonds & Jewelry, we guide clients through this choice based on budget and personal values, with close attention to each diamond's cut quality, color, and clarity. Traditionally, diamond has been seen as a symbol of purity, eternity, and unconditional love — making it the natural choice for an engagement ring.
May – Emerald
Emerald, a vivid green stone, is one of the most precious gems in the world and also belongs to the beryl family. Its hardness ranges from 7.5 to 8, though most emeralds contain natural inclusions (known as "jardin," French for garden) that call for gentler handling in a piece of jewelry. Traditionally, emerald is associated with renewal, growth, and emotional balance, and is often seen as a stone of stable partnerships and fertility.
June – Pearl, Moonstone, and Alexandrite
June is unique in having three birthstones: the organic pearl, moonstone with its signature glow, and the rare color-changing alexandrite, which shifts between green and purplish-red depending on the light. Unlike mineral gemstones, pearls form inside mollusks and are relatively soft (2.5–4.5 on the Mohs scale), requiring special care. Pearls are traditionally associated with purity, femininity, and wisdom. Moonstone is linked to intuition and emotion, while rare alexandrite is seen as a stone of balance between two worlds and positive transformation.
July – Ruby
Ruby is a red variety of corundum, and mineralogically the "sibling" of sapphire. Its hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale — second only to diamond — makes it an excellent choice for jewelry worn frequently. Traditionally, ruby is associated with passion, courage, and vitality, and is sometimes seen as protection against danger.
August – Peridot and Spinel
Peridot is a distinctive olive-green stone that forms deep in the earth's mantle, with a hardness of about 6.5 to 7. Spinel, a rarer stone sometimes mistaken for ruby or sapphire, comes in a wide range of colors and has a notably high hardness of 8. Peridot is traditionally associated with joy, positivity, and protection from negative energy, while spinel is linked to vitality and balance.
September – Sapphire
Sapphire, most often seen in a deep blue tone, is a corundum stone like ruby, with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale. It's one of the most popular gemstones for engagement rings after diamond, thanks to its combination of beauty, durability, and regal color. Traditionally, sapphire is associated with wisdom, loyalty, and sincerity, which is part of why it's such a popular choice for commitment rings.
October – Opal and Tourmaline
Opal is known for its dazzling, unique play of color ("opalescence"), but it's a relatively soft stone (5.5–6.5 on the Mohs scale) that requires special care in everyday wear. Tourmaline, by contrast, comes in nearly every color imaginable and has a higher hardness of 7–7.5. Opal is traditionally associated with creativity and inspiration, while tourmaline is linked to emotional balance and energetic protection.
November – Topaz and Citrine
Topaz comes in a range of colors, with blue and champagne among the most common, and has a high hardness of 8. Citrine, a golden-yellow variety of quartz, is slightly softer (7 on the Mohs scale) but very popular for its warm color. Traditionally, topaz is associated with love and renewed vitality, while citrine is regarded as a stone of abundance and optimism.
December – Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon
Turquoise has a signature blue-green color, is relatively soft (5–6 on the Mohs scale), and has been treasured across many ancient cultures. Tanzanite, a rare stone only discovered in the 20th century in Tanzania, has a rich blue-violet hue and a hardness of about 6.5. Natural zircon (not to be confused with synthetic cubic zirconia) comes in a range of colors and has an especially high brilliance. Turquoise is traditionally associated with protection and calm, tanzanite with transformation and inner insight, and zircon with clarity and strength.
How to choose a gemstone piece that's right for you
Beyond the emotional connection to your birthstone or its traditional properties, it's worth considering practical factors too: the stone's hardness on the Mohs scale (especially important for pieces worn daily, like rings), sensitivity to scratches and heat, and how the stone's style pairs with the setting and gold type — 14K or 18K. Hard stones like diamond, sapphire, and ruby are excellent for everyday wear, while softer stones like pearl, opal, and turquoise are better suited to occasion jewelry or to earrings and necklaces that see less friction. In custom design, you can also combine several birthstones together — for example, a family ring representing all of your children, or a necklace combining your birthstone with your partner's.
At Alena Diamonds & Jewelry, we guide every client through a personal process to choose the right stone and design — from natural and lab-grown diamonds to colored gemstones, in 14K or 18K gold, with custom manufacturing and close guidance from a certified gemologist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a birthstone and a regular gemstone?
A birthstone is a gemstone traditionally associated with a specific birth month, while a "regular" gemstone is usually chosen based on color, style, or budget, without any connection to a birth date.
Are the properties attributed to gemstones scientific?
No. The properties described in this article are part of folk tradition and cultural belief spanning thousands of years, not proven scientific claims. That said, they add meaning and a personal story to a piece of jewelry.
Which birthstone is best for a ring worn every day?
Stones with high Mohs hardness, such as diamond, sapphire, and ruby, are the safest choice for everyday rings thanks to their resistance to scratching and frequent wear.
Can I design a ring with a birthstone instead of a diamond?
Absolutely. You can design an engagement ring or an everyday ring with your birthstone as the center stone, sometimes paired with small diamond accents, to create a personal and unique piece.
Not sure which birthstone or gemstone is right for you? The Alena Diamonds & Jewelry team would love to guide you through a personal design process for your perfect ring or jewelry piece — from the first idea to the finished product.