Birthstones – Learn About Your Special Lucky Gem

Modern birthstones correspond to the month of your birth. It is considered lucky to wear your birthstone. Learn about your own special gem.

January – Garnet




Color is often deep red but can also be yellow, orange, pink, green or violet

Comes from the Latin word for pomegranate

Symbolizes faith and truth

Believed helpful in preventing and curing blood diseases and infections

Powers are healing, strength and protection

Ruling planet is Mars

Mohs hardness of 7.0 to 7.5

It is said that Noah used a bright red garnet as a light for the ark

First chakra at the base of the spine is represented by garnet



February – Amethyst




Color is purple

Comes from the Greek word for sobriety

Symbolic of spirituality and piety

Believed helpful in preventing overindulgence

Powers include healing, spiritual uplifting, happiness

Ruling planet is Saturn

Mohs hardness of 7.0

This royal purple stone has been favored by monarchs throughout history

Seventh chakra at the crown is represented by amethyst



March – Aquamarine




Color is pale blue

Comes from the Roman word "Aqua," meaning water, and "mare," meaning sea

Symbolizes foresight, courage and happiness

Believed to reverse poisoning and useful in fortune telling

Powers include good luck, reducing stress and enhancing intuition

Ruling planet is Neptune

Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8.0

Sailors often carried aquamarines to ward off seasickness and keep them safe while at sea

The throat chakra, number five, is represented by the aquamarine



April – Diamond




Colorless diamonds sparkle with reflected light but diamonds can be any color including black

The word diamond comes from the Greek word "adamastos," which means invincible The ancient Hindu word for diamond was "Vajra," meaning lightning

Symbolic of invincibility, courage and strength

Believed to have strong medicinal properties

Powers include protection and everlasting love

Ruling planet is Venus

Mohs hardness of 10

Diamond rings are traditionally worn on the third finger of the left hand because the ancient Egyptians believed that the “vein of love” ran from the heart to the tip of this finger

The diamond can cleanse the crown, or seventh, chakra



May – Emerald




Color is green

The word emerald comes from the Latin word "smaragdus", meaning green gem

Symbolizes faith, fertility and goodness

Believed to enhance eyesight and mental clarity, they were often carried on long journeys to keep the traveler safe

Powers include fertility and clairvoyance

Ruling planets are Jupiter, Mercury and Venus plus the Earth’s moon

Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8

Legend claims that Nero wore eyeglasses made from emeralds to enhance and protect his eyesight while watching the gladiator games

The fourth, chakra of the heart, is represented by the emerald



June – Pearl




The only monthly birthstone that is not a stone, pearls range in color from pure white or pink to gray or black

The Latin word for pearl means unique

Symbolic of innocence, purity and wealth

Believed to change bad fortune into good fortune

Powers include enhanced virility and the ability to attract the help of influential people

The Earth’s moon rules the pearl

Mohs hardness of 2.5 to 4.5

Ancient people believed that pearls were the tears of angels, goddesses or mermaids

Pearls enhance the solar plexus chakra, number three



July – Ruby




When red, the mineral Corundum is called a ruby (other colors are considered sapphires)

The word ruby comes from the Latin word “rubeos” for red and the ancient Hindus called the ruby the "Rajnapura" or King of Gems

Symbolizes heat, passion and power

Believed to make the wearer wise

Powers include protection, healing and bringing love

Ruling planets are Mars and Saturn

Mohs hardness of 9.0

Some believe that a ruby will turn a darker color when danger is imminent and return to their original color when the danger has passed

Rubies stimulate the heart chakra, number four



August – Peridot




Color is light green, yellow-green or olive green

Peridot is a French word derived from the Arabic word "faridat" which means gem

Symbolic of the sun and good luck

Believed to protect against evil and nightmares

Has the power to attract fame and fortune and bolster the confidence of an insecure person

Ruled by Saturn, Venus and the sun, it appears almost clear in direct sunlight and retains color even in low light

Mohs hardness of 6.5 to 7

In the past, peridot was formed into goblets because legend claimed that any medicine drank from the stone goblets had increased efficacy

As a protection against jealousy, peridot relates to the fourth, heart chakra



September – Sapphire




Any non-red form of corundum is classified as a sapphire, most typically they are blue

Sapphire comes from the Persian word "safir", which means beloved of Saturn

Symbolizes truth, sincerity and faithfulness

Believed to make a stupid man wise and an bad-tempered man agreeable

Has the power to protect against poverty and promote spiritual enlightenment

Ruled by the planet Saturn

Mohs hardness of 9.0

The ancient Persians believed that the earth rested on a great sapphire and the blue of the sky was a reflection of the stone

The sapphire represents the fifth chakra, the throat chakra



October – Opal




The color of an opal is hard to describe, iridescent and changeable

The word originates from the Greek “opallus” which means to see a change in color; the Romans called the opal "Cupid Paederos”, a child as beautiful as love

Symbolic of hope, innocence and purity

Believed to cleanse foul-smelling air, it is considered bad luck to carry an opal if it is not your birthstone

Powers include invisibility and protection against spiritual breakdown

Ruled by the planet Venus

Mohs hardness of 5 to 6.5

The ancient Arabs claimed that opals fell to earth in flashes of lightning

The opal is beneficial to all seven of the chakras



November – Citrine




The golden quartz, citrine is the official birthstone of November but golden topaz is also claimed by this month

The name citrine has the same roots as our word citrus and means yellow or golden

Symbolizes creativity, hope and strength

Believed to bring light and clarity to the owner

Gives the power to see through deceptions, banish fears and protect against snake bites

Ruled by the planet Jupiter

Mohs hardness of 7.0

Considered to be the merchant’s stone, a citrine placed in a money drawer will draw prosperity

The yellow color of citrine makes it especially beneficial to the third, solar plexus, chakra



December – Blue Topaz




Only the blue variety of topaz, the color created by irradiation, is recognized as the modern birthstone of December with turquoise a second alternative

The name comes from Sanskrit “tapa” which means fire

Symbolic of love and fidelity

The ancient Greeks believed that a person wearing a topaz could become invisible and experience an increase in strength

Allegedly has the power to cure insomnia, asthma and hemorrhages

Blue topaz is ruled by the planet Venus

Mohs hardness of 8.0

Legend says that blue topaz thrown into a pot of boiling water will cool the water – and hot tempers as well!

Blue topaz is soothing to the throat, fifth, chakra




Our information is based on modern birthstones for each month. Many other birthstone lists exist. Enjoy finding and wearing your birthstone or the birthstones of loved ones.

Further Reading:
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