The Complete Birthstone Chart: Modern, Traditional, and Zodiac Guide

Your complete Birthstone Chart spanning the modern list, ancient traditions, and zodiac connections is one of the most personal and enduring references in the world of jewelry. For centuries, people have treasured the idea that a specific gemstone corresponds to the month you were born, and today that tradition is richer than ever. Whether you are shopping for a meaningful gift, designing personalized jewelry, or simply exploring the story behind your stone, this guide covers everything you need. You'll find the full birthstone chart by month, a comparison of modern and traditional stones, a zodiac birthstone breakdown, and answers to the most common questions people ask about birthstones.

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An organized reference that associates particular gemstones with every month of the year or sign of the zodiac is called a birthstone chart. These pairings carry centuries of cultural, spiritual, and historical meaning. For those born in the corresponding month, the gemstones listed in a birthstone chart are thought to bring protection, good fortune, and personal resonance. Over time, standardized and alternative versions of the chart have developed, giving people multiple ways to find a stone that feels uniquely theirs.

The story behind the birthstone chart stretches back to ancient times. The Book of Exodus contains the earliest mention of the Breastplate of Aaron, a holy garment embellished with twelve gemstones that symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel. The Roman Jewish historian Josephus noted in the first century AD that those twelve stones could be linked to the year's twelve months and the twelve signs of the zodiac. Several centuries later, in the fifth century, St. Jerome reinforced this connection, helping establish the idea that wearing your monthly stone carried special significance.

By the 8th and 9th centuries, people began collecting all twelve stones and wearing only the stone aligned with the current month, believing it had heightened power at that time. The modern tradition of wearing your personal birth month stone is thought to have begun in Poland and Germany around the 16th century, spreading across Europe through the 18th century.

The American National Retail Jewelers Association, which is now known as Jewelers of America, standardized the Official Birthstone Chart in 1912. That list has been updated several times: alexandrite was added as a June stone and citrine for November in 1952; tanzanite was introduced as a December option in 2002; and spinel joined peridot as an August birthstone in 2016.

Not all birthstone guides are identical. There are several types of birthstone charts, each rooted in a different cultural or historical tradition. Understanding the main types of birthstone charts helps you choose the stone system that resonates most with you.

The most widely used reference today. Standardized in 1912 and periodically updated, it reflects contemporary gemstone preferences and market availability. Most jewelry stores follow this list.

Rooted in historical and cultural customs, the traditional birthstone chart predates the modern list by centuries. It assigns stones based on ancient astrology, religious texts, and regional traditions. The traditional birthstone chart often features different stones than the modern version, for example, sardonyx for August and bloodstone for March.

Rather than following the calendar month, this system aligns gemstones with the twelve astrological signs. Zodiac birthstones are also called astral stones and are believed to enhance the strengths of each sign while balancing its challenges.

Mystical birthstones are believed to have originated in Tibetan tradition, while Ayurvedic birthstones are drawn from Indian Vedic astrology. Both systems differ from the Western modern list and are favored by those seeking a more spiritually grounded approach.

The modern birthstone chart reflects the standardized list most jewelers and buyers use today. Here is the complete birthstone chart by month, along with the traditional counterpart and primary stone color for easy reference.

This table reflects both the traditional birthstone chart and the modern list in one place, making it easy to compare your options.

Garnet is one of the most ancient gemstones, known for its deep red tones that symbolize trust, protection, and positive energy. While red is the most recognized variety, garnet also occurs in green, orange, and even color-changing forms.

Amethyst's rich purple hue has long been associated with clarity, calm, and courage. Historically worn by royalty and clergy, this quartz variety is one of the most beloved gemstones in both modern and traditional systems.

With its serene blue color reminiscent of clear ocean water, aquamarine symbolizes communication and inner peace. It served as a talisman for safe travel for ancient sailors. The traditional alternative, bloodstone, is a dark green stone with red flecks, associated with courage.

One of the most iconic stones on the birthstone chart, the diamond represents clarity, strength, and enduring love. Its unmatched hardness on the Mohs scale makes it as resilient as it is brilliant.

The vivid green emerald is tied to spring, renewal, and balance. It has been revered since ancient Egypt, where Cleopatra was said to have prized it above all other stones. On the Mohs scale, emeralds are ranked between 7.5 and 8.

June is one of the more versatile months on the birthstone chart, offering pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone as options. While alexandrite is prized for its striking color shift from green in daylight to red under incandescent light, pearls stand for purity and wisdom.

Ruby's rich red hue represents vigor, strength, and passion. It is among the rarest and most valuable stones on any birthstone chart and has been associated with protection and success across multiple cultures.

Peridot's bright lime-green tone makes it one of the most distinctive stones of summer. Only a small number of gemstones come in a single hue. Spinel, added to the list in 2016, offers a stunning range of reds and pinks as an alternative.

Sapphire represents wisdom, loyalty, and nobility values that have made it a favorite among royalty for centuries. Though best known in deep blue, sapphires also occur in yellow, pink, and even colorless varieties.

October is another multi-stone month on the birthstone chart. Tourmaline offers one of the widest color ranges of any gemstone, while opal dazzles with its iridescent play of color. Both stones are beloved in contemporary jewelry design.

Golden topaz and sunny citrine both capture the warm tones of autumn. Topaz is linked to strength and clarity, while citrine's bright yellow color is associated with positivity and energy.

December offers three beautiful options on the birthstone chart, all known for cool blue and blue-green hues. Tanzanite is among the rarest gemstones in the world, found only near Mount Kilimanjaro. Turquoise carries thousands of years of cultural meaning, and zircon's brilliance rivals that of diamonds in sparkle.

In addition to the monthly system, a separate zodiac birthstone chart assigns stones based on astrological signs rather than calendar months. These stones are sometimes called astral stones and are valued for how closely they align with each sign's personality and energy.

If your zodiac stone differs from your monthly birthstone, there is no rule requiring you to choose just one. Many people wear both stones together as a personalized combination.

Several months on the Birthstone Charts list more than one official stone. This happens for a few reasons. First, the 1912 standardization was updated multiple times as new gemstones grew in popularity or became more commercially available.

Second, traditional charts and modern charts don't always agree, so some months carry forward a beloved traditional stone alongside a newer modern option. Third, some stones became more accessible over time, giving jewelers and buyers a more affordable or versatile alternative. June, October, November, and December all have multiple modern options on the official list.

Alexandrite, the modern June birthstone, is considered one of the rarest gemstones in the world due to the specific geological conditions required to form it. Tanzanite, the December birthstone, is also exceptionally rare, found in only one location on Earth.

Diamond (April) and ruby (July) are generally the most valuable birthstones per carat, depending on quality, cut, and origin. Alexandrite and tanzanite can also command high prices due to their rarity.

Of course. There are no restrictions on who can wear a particular gemstone. Many people select stones for gifts to loved ones, personal significance, or color preferences.

The Modern Birthstone Chart was formalized in 1912 and reflects contemporary gemstone preferences. The Traditional Birthstone Chart draws on ancient customs, religious texts, and pre-20th-century traditions, often featuring different stones for the same month.

The best approach is to go with the stone that resonates most with you visually or symbolically. If you were born in August, you can choose between peridot, spinel, or sardonyx (traditional). If one color or meaning speaks to you more, that is your stone.

Now that you have a complete birthstone chart reference at your fingertips, it's time to find your perfect stone. At Beads of Cambay, we carry a carefully curated collection of gemstone beads for every birth month, sourced for quality and authenticity. Whether you are crafting personalized jewelry, selecting a meaningful gift, or building a gemstone collection, our inventory spans every stone on both the modern and traditional birthstone charts.

Have questions about a specific stone? Contact our team at info@beadsofcambay.com or call +1-877-255-5058. Our gemstone experts are happy to help.

The Birthstone Chart is far more than a simple list; it is a window into centuries of cultural tradition, personal symbolism, and natural beauty. From the ancient breastplate that first connected twelve gems to twelve months, to the official 1912 standardization and its modern updates, the story of birthstones continues to evolve.

Whether you follow the modern birthstone chart, prefer the depth of the traditional birthstone chart, or connect more with your zodiac stone, the right gemstone is the one that feels meaningful to you. Visit the full Beads of Cambay blog section to learn more about each birthstone in depth.