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The birthstones for the months from January through June are garnet, amethyst, aquamarine, and bloodstone; diamond, emerald, and June pearls; and alexandrite and moonstone. These associations are based on jewelry tradition, and the meanings attributed to these stones—such as love, strength, or success—are cultural symbols, not scientifically proven effects.
| Birth month | Stone | Practical Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Suitable for most jewelry, but hardness varies by variety |
| February | Amethyst | Quite suitable for everyday jewelry |
| March | Aquamarine, bloodstone | You can choose stones with completely different aesthetics |
| April | Diamond | The hardest natural mineral |
| May | Emerald | Often has inclusions and requires more careful maintenance |
| June | Pearl, alexandrite, moonstone | Three very different options with varying levels of durability |
A birthstone is a gemstone or other gemmological material used in jewelry that is traditionally associated with a specific month of the year. These associations have evolved from various sources:
Therefore, a birthstone is not the same as a zodiac sign stone. For example, two people may belong to the same zodiac sign but be born in different months and, according to the birthstone tradition, have different stones. If you’re specifically interested in astrological associations, read the separate guide “Gemstones by Zodiac Sign”.
Although the name usually brings to mind a deep red stone, garnets actually comprise an entire group of related minerals. They can be:
The GIA indicates that the hardness of garnets on the Mohs scale ranges from approximately 6.5 to 7.5, depending on the variety.
In historical tales, the garnet is associated with:
A red garnet looks especially good:
Earrings or a pendant may be more practical for everyday wear, as garnet is not as scratch-resistant as sapphire or diamond.
Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz. Its color can range from:
Its hardness on the Mohs scale is about 7, so amethyst is suitable enough for most everyday jewelry, although it can still be scratched by harder stones.
The name “amethyst” comes from the Greek word amethystos, meaning “not intoxicated.” The ancient Greeks believed that amethyst could protect against intoxication. Amethyst is also traditionally associated with:
The purple color offers plenty of options. Amethyst can serve as a striking center stone in:
It is particularly appealing if you’re looking for a colored gemstone at a more affordable price than ruby, sapphire, or high-quality emerald.
March is unique in that it has two traditional birthstones—aquamarine and bloodstone.
Aquamarine is a blue or bluish-green variety of beryl. It belongs to the same mineral family as emerald.
The name “aquamarine” is derived from the Latin words aqua—water—and marina—sea. Its color can range from an almost colorless pale blue to a deeper blue-green. Aquamarine has a hardness of approximately 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, making it quite suitable for rings.
Historically, sailors associated aquamarine with:
Another March birthstone is bloodstone, commonly known as “kraujo akmuo” in Lithuanian. It is a dark green variety of chalcedony with red or reddish-brown spots. Its aesthetic is completely different from that of the clear, light-blue aquamarine.
Those born in March can choose between a light and clear aquamarine or a darker, more earthy bloodstone.
The birthstone for April is the diamond. It consists almost entirely of carbon and is the hardest naturally occurring mineral—a 10 on the Mohs scale. Because of this hardness, the diamond is particularly suitable for everyday wear:
No. In addition to the colorless or yellowish diamonds we’re used to, there are natural fancy-colored diamonds:
Historically, the diamond’s hardness has led to it being associated with:
In modern jewelry, the diamond is also very strongly associated with love and commitment. If you’re choosing a diamond based on more than just your birth month, it’s worth evaluating its 4Cs separately. The “Golden Dreams” premium diamond jewelry collection features a variety of diamond jewelry designs.
The birthstone for May is the emerald. An emerald is a variety of beryl that is green or bluish-green in color. Thus, aquamarine and emerald belong to the same family of minerals, but their colors are caused by different chemical impurities.
The GIA states that the hardness of an emerald on the Mohs scale is approximately 7.5–8.
Emeralds often contain numerous natural cracks and inclusions. Some are treated with oils, wax, or resins to make surface cracks less visible. Therefore, careless cleaning with ultrasound or steam is not recommended for emeralds. The safest option is usually warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush.
For more general care guidelines, see the guide “How to Care for Jewelry?”.
Throughout history, the green color of the emerald has been associated with:
June has three options on the list of birthstones:
This is probably the most diverse month of the first half of the year.
A pearl stands out from the other gemological materials on this list in that it is not a mineral crystal. It forms within the tissues of a living mollusk.
A natural pearl forms without any human intervention. In the case of cultured pearls, a human inserts a piece of tissue or another nucleus into the mollusk, and the mollusk then grows layers of nacre on its own. In today’s market, cultured pearls make up the vast majority of pearls sold.
Their colors can include:
The color is influenced by the species of the oyster and the conditions under which the pearl forms.
Pearls are very soft—only about 2.5–3 on the Mohs scale. Therefore:
Alexandrite is a rare variety of chrysoberyl. Its distinctive feature is its ability to change color depending on the lighting. The most valuable specimens may appear:
Alexandrite first gained widespread popularity in 19th-century Russia, in the Ural Mountains. Its hardness is about 8.5 on the Mohs scale, making it a more practical choice for an everyday ring than a pearl or moonstone.
Moonstone belongs to the feldspar group. It is known for its adularescence—a soft play of light that seems to glide across the stone’s surface as it moves. A high-quality moonstone may exhibit a bluish, white, or silvery sheen.
It requires more care. Moonstone has a hardness of approximately 6–6.5, and its resistance to impact is not very high. Therefore, for a ring worn intensively every day, alexandrite is usually a more practical choice.
The birthstone for January is garnet. Although it is most commonly associated with a dark red color, the garnet family also includes orange, yellow, green, and purple varieties.
March has two widely recognized birthstones—aquamarine and bloodstone. Aquamarine is a transparent blue beryl, while bloodstone is a dark green chalcedony with red flecks.
The birthstone for April is the diamond. It is the hardest natural mineral and, in modern jewelry, is closely associated with engagement and wedding jewelry.
The birthstone for May is the emerald—a green or bluish-green variety of beryl.
June has three birthstones: the pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone. They differ greatly in color, origin, durability, and price, so those born in June have an exceptionally wide range of choices.
The concept of a birthstone is especially fitting when you want to add a special story to a gift. It can symbolize:
That’s precisely why gemstones based on the birth month remain a popular idea for personalized jewelry—even for those who don’t believe in old legends at all. Interested? Browse “Auksinė svajonė” jewelry or choose custom jewelry featuring a stone that’s meaningful to you.
