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The birthstones for the months from July through December are ruby, peridot, spinel, sardonyx, sapphire, opal, tourmaline, topaz, citrine, tanzanite, turquoise, and zircon. Some months have more than one gemstone associated with them, so when choosing jewelry, it’s worth considering not only tradition but also color, durability, and personal style.
| Month | Gemstone | Practical Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| July | Ruby | Very hard, suitable for everyday rings |
| August | Peridot, spinel, sardonyx | Spinel is more durable than peridot |
| September | Sapphire | Very suitable for everyday wear |
| October | Opal, tourmaline | Opal is more delicate; tourmaline is more practical |
| November | Topaz, citrine | Topaz is hard but can crack upon impact |
| December | Tanzanite, turquoise, zircon | Vary widely in durability and care requirements |
A birthstone is associated with a calendar month, while a zodiac stone is associated with an astrological sign. For example, someone born in July will have a ruby according to the birthstone tradition, but their zodiac sign might be Cancer or Leo. If you’re interested specifically in astrological interpretations, we discuss them separately in the article “Gemstones by Zodiac Sign”.
The birthstone for July is the ruby. A ruby is a red variety of the mineral corundum. Its color is primarily determined by chromium, and shades can range from:
The name derives from the Latin word ruber, meaning “red.”
Rubies are very often heat-treated to enhance their color or clarity. Such heat treatment is widely accepted in the jewelry market. However, there are other treatments as well, such as:
A ruby has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale (only a diamond is harder). A ruby is ideal for:
Hardness does not mean that the stone is completely indestructible. A strong impact can still damage both the stone and its setting.
Throughout history, the ruby has been associated with:
Peridot is a gemological variety of the mineral olivine, typically yellowish-green or greenish-yellow in color. Its color almost always falls within the green spectrum. It is not the kind of stone you would typically find in red or blue.
Peridot is unique in that gem-quality olivine crystals are found not only on Earth. Olivine is also found in some pallasite meteorites, but this does not mean that a typical gem-quality peridot necessarily “came from space.”
Its hardness is approximately 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale, so it may scratch more easily in a ring worn heavily every day. This means it is softer than:
For a long time, spinel was confused with ruby. Some of the most famous “rubies” in history later turned out to be red spinels. Today we know that they are entirely different minerals. Spinel can be:
Its hardness is about 8 on the Mohs scale, making it a more practical choice for jewelry worn frequently than peridot. If someone born in August wants a vivid pink or red color, spinel can be an interesting alternative to the traditional green peridot.
Sardonyx is a banded variety of chalcedony. It is characterized by contrasting bands:
Historically, this material has been used particularly frequently for:
Its aesthetic is completely different from that of transparent, faceted peridot or spinel.
The birthstone for September is the sapphire. When we hear the word “sapphire,” we usually imagine a blue stone. However, sapphires can be:
Rubies and sapphires are actually varieties of the same mineral—corundum. The red variety of corundum is called a ruby, while other colors are generally classified as sapphires.
Like the ruby, the sapphire has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale. It also offers good resistance to everyday wear, making the sapphire a very practical choice for:
The blue sapphire engagement ring worn by Princess Diana and later by Catherine is one of the most famous modern examples of how a sapphire can replace a traditional center diamond.
Yes, heat treatment to improve color or clarity is common. Other methods also exist, so when purchasing a higher-value sapphire, it’s worth asking: Has the stone been treated, and if so, how?
Throughout history, the sapphire has been associated with:
Opal is distinguished by a phenomenon known as “play-of-color.” When certain opals are moved, flashes of light can be seen:
However, not all opals exhibit the same intensity of play-of-color. There are:
An opal requires more care than a ruby or sapphire. It is relatively softer and more sensitive to:
Therefore, for someone who uses their hands extensively, an opal pendant or earrings may be a more practical choice than a ring worn every day.
The second birthstone for October is tourmaline. Tourmaline has a hardness of approximately 7–7.5 on the Mohs scale. It is one of the most colorful groups of gemstones. Tourmalines can be:
A well-known example is the so-called watermelon tourmaline, which combines green and pink colors.
If someone born in October is looking for a unique play of colors, they might choose an opal; if a vivid, transparent color and greater practicality are more important, tourmaline is worth considering.
Topaz comes in far more colors than the most popular jewelry pieces might suggest. It can be:
One of the most valuable natural varieties is the orange-pink Imperial Topaz.
Blue topaz does exist in nature, but a naturally deep-blue stone is rare. Much of the blue topaz sold on the market today gets its color by treating colorless topaz through irradiation followed by heating. The resulting color is stable under normal conditions.
Topaz has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale, but it has a well-defined cleavage plane. Therefore, a strong impact at a certain angle can cause the stone to split. The Mohs number alone is not sufficient to determine the stone’s durability.
Citrine is a variety of quartz ranging in color from yellow to brownish-orange. Its hardness is approximately 7 on the Mohs scale. It is a relatively affordable colored gemstone, making it suitable for:
No, naturally yellow citrines do exist, but a large portion of the citrines on the market are produced by heat-treating amethyst—this is not a reason to automatically reject the stone. It is important that the product description be accurate so that the buyer knows what they are purchasing.
Tanzanite is a blue or violet-blue variety of the mineral zoisite. It is named in honor of Tanzania. Its primary source is a very limited area in the Merelani Hills of northern Tanzania—it is precisely this geographical rarity that is one of the reasons why tanzanite is considered an unusual gemstone.
Tanzanite exhibits pleochroism—when viewed from different angles, the crystal reveals varying shades of blue, violet, or other hues. Most tanzanite on the market is heat-treated to enhance the desired blue and violet hues.
Its hardness is approximately 6–7 on the Mohs scale. Additionally, tanzanite is more sensitive to impact and sudden temperature changes, so a ring worn intensively every day requires:
Turquoise is a gemstone ranging in color from blue to bluish-green, often featuring a darker natural rock matrix. Unlike ruby or sapphire, it is generally not transparent. Its aesthetic appeal is based more on its color, pattern, and surface.
Turquoise is relatively soft—approximately 5–6 on the Mohs scale. It may also be:
Therefore, you should not use the following with it:
You can find more general care guidelines for different gemstones in the article “How to Care for Jewelry?”.
Zircon is a natural mineral. It’s worth clearing up a common misconception here—zircon is not cubic zirconia (these are completely different substances). Natural zircon can be:
Colorless zircon is characterized by a strong luster and colorful flashes of light, which is why it has sometimes been mistaken for a diamond throughout history. Blue zircon is particularly popular for December jewelry.
| Stone | Traditional Symbolism |
|---|---|
| Ruby | Love, passion, strength |
| Peridot | Light, protection |
| Spinel | Energy, renewal |
| Sardonyx | Courage, stability |
| Sapphire | Loyalty, truth |
| Opal | Hope, creativity |
| Tourmaline | Creativity, love |
| Topaz | Prosperity, love |
| Citrine | Warmth, optimism |
| Tanzanite | Change, new beginnings |
| Turquoise | Protection, good fortune |
| Zircon | Wisdom, protection |
The birthstone for July is the ruby—a red variety of corundum. Its hardness is 9 on the Mohs scale, making the ruby ideal for everyday jewelry.
August has three birthstones: peridot, spinel, and sardonyx. They differ in color, structure, and durability, so you can choose from a green, transparent peridot to a red or pink spinel.
October’s birthstones are opal and tourmaline. Opal is distinguished by its play of colors, while tourmaline features a very wide range of natural colors.
November’s birthstones are topaz and citrine. Topaz comes in a wide variety of colors, while citrine is a yellow or orange-brown variety of quartz.
December has three birthstones: tanzanite, turquoise, and zircon. They are often chosen for their blue hues, but their origin, structure, and durability vary greatly.
Birthstones are interesting not because they can predict a person’s character—they give a piece of jewelry a personal point of reference. The most important thing is to find a stone that:
You can explore various options in the premium gemstone jewelry collection or create a custom piece of jewelry with your chosen birthstones.
