What Is a Birthstone?
The tradition of birthstones traces back to the Breastplate of Aaron described in the Book of Exodus — a ceremonial garment set with twelve stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Over centuries, those stones became associated with calendar months, and eventually with the idea that wearing your month's stone brought good fortune.
The modern birthstone list was standardized by the American National Retail Jewelers Association in 1912, with periodic updates since — most recently in 2002, when tanzanite was added to December. Today most months carry more than one stone, giving you flexibility when shopping for yourself or for a gift.
At SARDA™, we work with AAA-grade semi-precious gemstones set in handcrafted .925 sterling silver. Many of our collections feature traditional birthstones, making them as personally meaningful as they are beautiful to wear. Here's your complete month-by-month guide.
Month-by-Month Birthstone Guide
January — Garnet
Garnet's signature is a deep, pomegranate red — the name comes from the Latin granatum, seed. Though red is the most familiar variety, garnets actually come in nearly every color, including vivid orange (spessartine), green (tsavorite), and rare color-changing types. At Mohs 6.5–7.5, garnet is well-suited to pendants and earrings; for rings, look for bezel or protective settings. Clean with warm water and a soft brush; avoid steam cleaners.
February — Amethyst
Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz prized for its consistent violet-to-grape tones. Before large deposits were discovered in Brazil, it ranked alongside ruby and emerald as one of the most precious stones in the world. At Mohs 7, it's durable for everyday wear — but avoid prolonged direct sunlight, which can fade its color over time. SARDA features amethyst across several collections; browse New Arrivals for current pieces.
March — Aquamarine
The name says it all: aqua marina, Latin for sea water. Aquamarine's pale blue-green comes from trace iron in the beryl crystal, the same mineral family as emerald. At Mohs 7.5–8, it's an excellent everyday stone. Rinse with warm water after beach or pool exposure, and store away from harder gems to prevent scratching.
April — Diamond
The hardest natural substance on Earth (Mohs 10), diamond is also one of the most universally recognized gems. April birthdays claim a stone that's been a symbol of commitment and clarity for millennia. Diamonds attract oils and benefit from regular gentle cleaning with mild soap and a soft toothbrush. SARDA uses both lab-created and genuine stones depending on the collection.
May — Emerald
Emerald's vivid green has made it prized since ancient Egypt, where it was associated with fertility and rebirth. It's another beryl-family gem, but its characteristic inclusions — called jardin, or garden — are considered part of its natural charm. At Mohs 7.5–8, emeralds are best cleaned with a damp cloth; avoid ultrasonic cleaners, which can affect the oil or resin treatments common in the trade.
June — Pearl, Alexandrite & Moonstone
June is one of the most varied months, with three official birthstones. Pearls are the only gems created by living organisms; they're soft (Mohs 2.5–4.5) and sensitive to acids, perfume, and heat — put them on last and take them off first. Alexandrite is celebrated for its dramatic color change: green in daylight, red-purple under incandescent light. Moonstone glows with a floating inner light called adularescence, making it unlike any other gem. See the International Gem Society's moonstone guide for care details.
July — Ruby
Ruby is a variety of corundum — the same mineral as sapphire — colored red by chromium. The finest rubies, from Myanmar's Mogok Valley, command prices per carat that rival even diamonds. At Mohs 9, ruby is one of the hardest and most durable gems available, making it excellent for rings and bracelets worn daily. Untreated rubies can safely be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner; heat-treated stones (the majority on the market) do best with warm soapy water. Learn more at GIA's ruby resource.
August — Peridot & Spinel
Peridot is one of the few gemstones that forms in only one color — a distinctive lime green caused by iron — and it originates deep in the Earth's mantle, arriving at the surface via volcanic activity. Spinel, added to August's list in 2016, comes in a spectacular range of colors and often displays more brilliance than stones it has historically been mistaken for. Both sit at Mohs 7–8 and clean well with warm soapy water. SARDA features black spinel across several collections — see New Arrivals.
September — Sapphire
Like ruby, sapphire is a variety of corundum. While it's most associated with deep blue, sapphires come in every color except red (which earns the ruby designation). At Mohs 9, sapphire is among the hardest and most practical gemstones for everyday jewelry — rings, bracelets, and pendants alike. Blue sapphire has historically symbolized loyalty and sincerity, making it a popular choice for meaningful gifts.
October — Opal & Tourmaline
Opal is celebrated for its play-of-color — a shifting internal rainbow that changes with the angle of light. No two opals are identical. At Mohs 5.5–6.5, they're softer than most gems; protect them from sharp impacts, extreme heat, and household chemicals. Tourmaline, October's alternative, covers virtually the entire color spectrum and is one of the most color-varied gemstones in existence. Both are available at SARDA in select collections.
November — Citrine & Yellow Topaz
Citrine's warm golden-amber color brings a sunny quality to any setting. A quartz variety ranking Mohs 7, it's affordable and widely available. Yellow topaz (the alternative birthstone) is harder at Mohs 8 and displays sharper brilliance. Both pair beautifully with sterling silver settings. Clean either stone with warm soapy water; store topaz away from harder gems, as it can develop cleavage cracks from sharp blows.
December — Blue Topaz, Tanzanite & Turquoise
December birthdays have three choices. Blue topaz ranges from the pale "sky blue" to the intense "London blue" and is one of the most popular gem colors in jewelry today. Tanzanite — discovered near Mount Kilimanjaro in 1967 — exists in a single location on Earth, making it significantly rarer than diamond. Turquoise is among the oldest stones in the jewelry tradition, worn by cultures from ancient Persia to pre-Columbian America. SARDA has featured all three; explore current arrivals for availability.
How to Gift a Birthstone
Birthstone jewelry is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give. A few tips to make it land perfectly:
- Know the month — and if your recipient has a preference between the traditional and modern alternatives, ask. June, August, October, and December all offer multiple valid choices.
- Match the product type to their lifestyle — rings are a statement, but bracelets and necklaces are often more versatile for daily wear. Check our Fit Guide for ring and bracelet sizing before you order.
- Consider a named collection — SARDA's collections like Hope's Radiance and God's Lasting Promises group specific stones around a meaningful theme, adding an extra layer of intention to your gift.
- Think about hardness — for someone active or always in a ring, choose a harder stone (Mohs 8+). For occasional-wear pieces, softer gems like opal or pearl are perfectly suited.
Caring for Your Birthstone Jewelry
Every gemstone has its own personality — and its own care requirements. A few universal rules to start:
- Remove jewelry before swimming, showering, or applying lotion, perfume, or hairspray.
- Store each piece in a separate soft pouch to prevent gems from scratching each other.
- Sterling silver tarnishes naturally over time. Keep your pieces polished with the SARDA Jewelry Cleaning Kit and read our full guide to caring for sterling silver jewelry.
For gem-specific care, the GIA Gem Encyclopedia is an authoritative resource covering every stone in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear a birthstone that isn't mine?
Yes — birthstones are a tradition, not a rule. Many people wear stones from multiple months to represent family members, meaningful dates, or simply because they love the color. There's no wrong way to wear a gem you love.
What's the most durable birthstone for everyday rings?
The harder the stone, the better it holds up to daily friction. Diamonds (Mohs 10), sapphires and rubies (Mohs 9), and topaz (Mohs 8) are the most practical choices for rings worn all day. Softer stones like opal, pearl, and turquoise are better suited to pendants and earrings.
Are lab-created versions of birthstones legitimate?
Lab-created stones are chemically and physically identical to mined gems — same hardness, same optical properties, different origin. They're a legitimate and more accessible alternative, and SARDA uses them selectively alongside natural stones in our collections.
Ready to find your stone? Explore SARDA's New Arrivals for the latest handcrafted .925 sterling silver birthstone pieces — each one made by hand, set with intention, and built to be worn every day.