birthstones by month

although there is some variation from one country to another, this is the generally accepted list in the UK

January - faith, eternity, truth

Garnet - primary birthstone for January

Traditionally deep blackberry red but also available in a range of colours; almandine (pyrope) garnet is deep red, rhodolite has pink tones, hessonite and spessartite are both orange forms and grossular garnet is yellow-green. Tsavorite is a bright green garnet found only in one location in Africa and the rarest form, blue garnet, was only discovered in 1991. ‘Colour-change’ varieties are also available. The birth stone for January and also for Capricorn

Thought to increase determination, energy, imagination and courage; may attract love and compassion. Helps in dreams and past-life recall. May protect against infection and purify the blood

Rose Quartz - secondary birthstone for January

Pretty translucent pale pink. A member of the quartz family, the colour is formed by manganese impurities in the crystal. It is famously mined in Madagascar. Often called the ‘Venus Stone’. An alternative birth stone for January and also Taurus

Thought to promote unconditional love and affection and heal emotional pain and the wounds of neglect; may encourage tenderness and gentleness. May also be good for reducing trauma, improving fertility, relieving headaches and migraine

February - luck, wit, health

Amethyst - primary birthstone for February

Subtle shades of translucent purple; it may also be heavily ‘included’ eg. ‘dog-tooth’ and 'sage' amethysts. A member of the quartz family. Material from in Uruguay and Zambia is highly prized. The birth stone for February and also for Aquarius. An alternative birth stone for Pisces. The traditional love token for Valentine's Day

Amethyst is thought to be a stone for change. It is thought to promote psychic and spiritual awareness, intuition and creativity, inner peace and the imagination. Is often used for meditation. May also be helpful for insomnia, grief and high blood pressure and to boost the immune system

Black Onyx - secondary birthstone for February

Dense opaque black. A type of agate (a very fine grained form of quartz) without any patterning or banding. An alternative birth stone for February and also Gemini

Thought to promote self-control and serenity. May ease stress and encourage commitment and devotion to the wearer. Also thought to reduce physical stress and help heart problems and ulcers

March - happiness, understanding

Aquamarine - primary birthstone for March  

Pale shades of translucent blue-green. Aquamarine – a Latin word meaning water of the sea. A type of beryl found mainly in South America, notably Brazil, and the Indian sub-continent. The birth stone for March and also for Pisces

Closely associated with the sea, in ancient days it was believed to counteract evil and was carried by sailors as a talisman against drowning. It may help to calm the nerves and lift the spirits. It is thought to quicken the intelligence, lead to greater self knowledge and preserve innocence. It is thought to be good for sore throats, swollen glands and thyroid problems; it may help the body deal with allergies such as hay fever

Jasper - secondary birthstone for March

A form of chalcedony that exists in many different varieties and colours. Found in Egypt, Australia, North and South America, India, Kazakhstan, Madagascar and Russia. An alternative birth stone for March

Jasper is thought to be the ‘supreme nurturer’ as it is believed to support, bring balance and unify. When used by crystal healers it is believed to support the circulatory and digestive organs and to balance the body’s mineral content. Depending on the colour, this stone is thought to stimulate the sense of smell and the immune system, strengthen the liver and gall bladder, and promote general healing and tissue regeneration. Match the colour to the chakra for best effect. The darker colours are thought to be more grounding, but less helpful for healing 

April - eternity, courage, health

Diamond - primary birthstone for April

Traditionally ice-white, but also available in black, pink, champagne, cognac, canary, red, green and blue. Some of these colours are achieved by heat treatment. The birth stone for April and also for Aries

A symbol of purity, it is thought to bring love and clarity into partnerships, bonding relationships. Diamond is a sign of commitment and fidelity. It imparts fearlessness and clears emotional and mental pain, reducing fear and bringing about new beginnings. It may stimulate creativity, inventiveness, imagination and ingenuity. It may bring clarity of mind and aid enlightenment. It is thought to purify and detoxify all of the body’s systems, rebalancing the metabolism and building up stamina

Quartz Crystal - secondary birthstone for April

Crystal clear. A member of the quartz family, it is found almost everywhere on earth. An alternative birth stone for April and often refered to as the ‘King of Gems’

Thought to act as a catalyst, increasing the powers and effects of other stones. May generate energy, helping concentration and focus. May be good for the brain and good for the soul. Thought to be an excellent channeller of healing. Also thought to be good for mental disorders and psychological problems

May - fidelity, goodness, love

Emerald - primary birthstone for May

Vibrant shades of 'included' and translucent green. A type of beryl, the colour varies depending on the country of origin; high quality stones are found mainly in Africa and Colombia. The inclusions are referred to as the 'jardin' or 'garden'. The birth stone for May and also for Taurus

It is thought to promote unity, friendship and domestic bliss, keeping partnerships in balance. It is thought to stimulate the heart chakra, having a healing effect on the emotions as well as the physical heart. It may ensure physical, emotional and mental equilibrium, bringing harmony to all areas of life. It is thought to strengthen memory and impart clarity of thought, inspiring a deep inner knowledge, promoting truth and discernment. It is thought to treat disorders of the heart, lungs, spine and muscular system and aid recovery after infectious illness

Chrysoprase - secondary birthstone for May

Shades of both translucent and opaque apple green. A member of the chalcedony family, it is found in Australia, the Baltic states, Brazil and the USA. An alternative birth stone for May

Thought to be calming and balancing, enhancing flexibility and dexterity. May encourage generosity, wisdom and self-confidence. Thought to lift the spirits, ease depression and aid fertility. May ensure balance and perspective in business dealings and personal affairs

June - peace, nobility, beauty

Pearl - primary birthstone for June

Many opaque shades with a glossy pearlescent sheen. Naturally produced by freshwater and marine molluscs, most pearls are now 'cultured' or farmed, mainly in China, but also Japan and the South Seas. The birth stone for June

Thought to reduce irritability, focus the attention and encourage personal integrity. Symbolises purity, charity, faith and innocence. May encourage self-love and inner strength. It is thought to aid digestive disorders and conditions that affect the soft organs of the body

Moonstone - secondary birthstone for June

Pale translucent white, orange and grey, often with a blue or white sheen or 'schiller'. A type of feldspar found mainly in India. The birth stone for Gemini. An alternative birth stone for Cancer

A very feminine stone, it may be good for menstrual problems, and is thought to encourage fertility. It is believed to ease childbirth. Thought to be emotionally balancing and nurturing

July - love, enthusiasm, strength

Ruby - primary birthstone for July

Rich, translucent or 'included' red; the shade varies depending on the country of origin. Burma is a key area for high quality stones, as is Tanzania in Africa. A member of the corundum family. The birth stone for July and also for Cancer

The ruby is believed to be a stone of nobility and it encourages one to follow bliss. It is thought to be a wonderful stone for the 1st chakra as it may stimulate our basic instinct of/for survival. It may strengthen both the physical and emotional heart. Ruby is said to bring love, confidence, loyalty, and courage. It is thought to instil stamina, vitality and strength; may be a good stone for removing blocked energies in the reproductive system. Thought to re-energize after exhaustion. May also be good for balancing blood sugar levels. It may also help to reduce negative thought patterns

Carnelian - secondary birthstone for July

Translucent shades of red and orange. A form of chalcedony coloured by impurities of iron oxide. Also known as Sard. Found in Brazil, Australia, Madagascar, Russia, South Africa, USA, Uruguay and India. It is often heat treated to enhance the colour. An alternative birth stone for July and also for Virgo

May improve alertness, concentration and energy levels. It is thought to connect us with our inner selves, encouraging joy, sociability and warmth.  Thought to be anti-depressant and good for rheumatic pains and arthritis

August - success, peace, luck

Peridot - primary birthstone for August

Pale translucent olive green. A type of olivine that occurs in only one colour. High quality material is found in China and the Kashmir region of Pakistan. It is also found in volcanic regions - notably Hawaii and the Canary Islands. The birth stone for August and also for Leo

Thought to develop inner vision, counteract negativity and open the mind. Thought to be a good detoxifying stone, it may act as a general tonic for body and mind

Green Aventurine - secondary birthstone for August

Translucent shades of cool green. A member of the quartz family mostly mined in India. The characteristic glistening or shimmering effect is known as "aventurescence," which is the result of uniformly oriented mineral inclusions within the rock matrix. An alternative birth stone for August. An alternative birth stone for Libra

Thought to soothe and relax, acting as a general tonic. Supposed to bring good fortune and encourage creativity, independence and serenity. Also thought to be good for skin conditions, optical disorders and for reducing anxiety. Thought to bring adventure in love and sport

September - serenity, truth

Sapphire - primary birthstone for September

Traditionally blue, but available in a vast range of colours from ice-white to black; any member of the corundum family that is not red. The finest quality blue sapphires are found in Ceylon, and all colours other than blue are referred to as ‘fancy sapphires’. The birth stone for September and also for Virgo

It is thought to release mental tension, depression, unwanted thoughts and confusion. Sapphire may encourage balance within the body, aligning the physical, mental and spiritual planes, bringing serenity and peace of mind. Sapphire is also known as a ‘stone of prosperity’, and is believed to attract gifts of all kinds and fulfil dreams and desires. Sapphire is thought to treat blood disorders and strengthen the vein walls. May be used for cellular disorders and to calm overactive systems

Lapis lazuli - secondary birthstone for September

Very bright opaque royal blue, with paler blue markings and gold (pyrite) flecks. The best quality stone was historically found in Afghanistan; Lapis from these mines was used in the mask of Tutankhamen. It has been used since prehistoric times in jewellery and during the middle ages was the source of ultramarine for blue paint. An alternative birth stone for September

The stone of friendship, it may encourage the ability to communicate openly and to think rationally. Thought to lift depression and give hope and self-confidence. May aid psychic development and help cut through superficiality to find inner truth. Thought to strengthen the mind and body

October - purity, hope, health

Opal - primary birthstone for October

A vast variety of background colours, all with a signature play of rainbow colours. Found mainly in Australia and, more recently, the Welo area in Ethiopia. Opals without the characteristic colour flashes are also found, mainly in South America, notably Brazil. The birth stone for October and for Libra

Opal’s iridescent flashes are thought to stimulate the pineal and pituitary glands and aid balance and eyesight. May be helpful during childbirth. May awaken and help understanding of psychic intuition and mysticism. Thought to encourage living authentically in feeling and action, with faithfulness and loyalty

Tourmaline - secondary birthstone for October

Generally translucent shades of mainly pinks, greens and blues, but found in a vast range of colours from clear ice white to black. Stones are often heavily included. Some of the rarest gemstones on earth are in the tourmaline family; many of these are found in Brazil. An alternative birth stone for October

 In its many colours it is thought to offer a strong protective influence, enhancing sensitivity and comprehension by dispelling fear and negativity. Thought to be a powerful healer of mental disorders, it may assist the troubled to find rest and strengthen the ability to meet with change and new challenges

November - wisdom, courage, sincerity

Blue Topaz - primary birthstone for November

Pale shades of translucent pale blue (naturally clear topaz is heat treated and/or irradiated to enhance the colour). Usually available as three distinct colours - Sky Blue (the lightest), Swiss Blue (intense) and London Blue (dark blue/green). The birth stone for November and also for Scorpio

Thought to encourage creativity, especially in writing. May help focus on life's path and increase alignment with the higher self. May encourage peacefulness, creativity and self-expression. It is thought to soothe the emotions and may be a good detoxifying stone, regulating the digestive system. Often used as a charm against fires and accidents

Citrine - secondary birthstone for November

Pale translucent smoky yellow. A member of the quartz family, natural Citrine is very rare; most commercial material is amethyst which has been heat-treated to simulate the natural conditions that produce Citrine. Known as the ‘Sunshine’ gemstone, most gem quality material is mined in Brazil. An alternative birth stone for November

Thought to ease toxic conditions and help with diabetes. Thought to control the emotions and prevent self destructiveness. Encourages you to be nice to yourself

Golden Tiger Eye - secondary birthstone for November

A member of the quartz family with shaded bands of opaque brown, caramel and yellow. The 'chatoyance' or 'cat's eye' effect gives this gemstone its name. Most commercial material is mined in South Africa. An alternative birth stone for November and also for Leo

Thought to encourage strength, clarity and focus in life, enabling the accomplishment of goals. May increase self-confidence and perception, encouraging positive thinking. May also good for hypochondria and psychosomatic conditions. Thought to improve the function of the liver, kidneys and bladder

December - love, happiness, luck

Turquoise - primary birthstone for December

Various opaque shades of blue-green, often with black or brown markings known as 'matrix'. High quality material is found in southern North America, and more traditionally, in Iran. Somewhat porous, this stone can discolour when subjected to light, oils, cosmetics, detergents and even some water. It is often treated with resin to improve colour and harden the surface. Colouring agents may also be used. Chalk turquoise is a lower grade turquoise that is treated with both colour and resin to give the look of a high grade turquoise without the price. The birth stone for December and also for Sagittarius

Thought to be a powerful protector against environmental pollutants, especially background radiation. May bring wisdom and enhance creative expression, peace of mind, friendship and loyalty

Tanzanite - secondary birthstone for December

Translucent shades of intense blue, purple or lavender blue, with darker colours and flashes of magenta pink present in higher quality material. It is noted for its intense trichroism. This form of zoisite was first discovered in 1967 and has been found only in the Meralani Hills area of northern Tanzania. Recently named as an alternative birth stone for December

Tanzanite is thought to be an important communication stone, aiding the ability to speak the truth. It may promote compassion and calm an overactive mind. It may raise consciousness during meditation and bring on a peaceful understanding of one's own heart