Birthstones and Birthstone Colors
For centuries, birthstones have been a way to add meaning and personalization to jewelry designs. They are just as relevant today as they were in ancient times! In 1912 the jewelry industry started seeking to create a universal standard for birthstones that would correspond to each month. These gemstones became the traditional birthstones that we often find in today's fine jewelry stores. This is the perfect place to learn more about each one and start creating your own birthstone jewelry using crystal beads or beads and pendants from popular brands like Dakota Stones.
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Birthstones and Meanings
January is associated with garnet. The name of this deep red gemstone originates from its close resemblance to pomegranate seeds. With such beautiful coloring, it's no wonder that this gemstone has been used in jewelry since the Bronze Age. Famous individuals born in January include Benjamin Franklin, J.R.R. Tolkien, Betty White, and Oprah Winfrey.
Traditional Birthstone: Garnet
Crystal Birthstone Color: Siam
Dakota Stones Gemstone Options: Rose Quartz, Garnet
Symbolism: Inspiration, love, and constancy. Red conveys passion, optimism, and creativity.
Fun Fact: Although the garnet with a rich pomegranate red color is the one most often used in birthstone jewelry, garnets actually come in every color except blue. Who knew those with January birthdays had so many options?
Zodiac Signs: Capricorn The Goat (Ambitious) is for birthdays from January 1-19. Aquarius The Water Bearer (Friendly) is for birthdays from January 20-31.
Flowers: Carnation or Snowdrop
February is associated with amethyst, a gemstone with a lovely purple hue often used as the color of royalty. This gemstone looks pretty even in its raw form as a sparkling geode. If your birthday is in February, you share a birthstone with famous names like Charles Dickens, Thomas Edison, Elizabeth Taylor, and Tom Hiddleston.
Traditional Birthstone: Amethyst
Crystal Birthstone Color: Amethyst
Dakota Stones Gemstone Options: Amethyst, Bloodstone
Symbolism: Insight, loyalty, and serenity. Violet conveys generosity, integrity, and sensitivity.
Fun Fact: Amethyst has been used in jewelry since ancient times and was prized by ancient Egyptians.
Zodiac Signs: Aquarius The Water Bearer (Friendly) is for birthdays from February 1-18. Pisces The Fish (Intuitive) is for birthdays from February 19-29.
Flowers: Violet or Primrose
March is associated with aquamarine. Does it remind you of the ocean? If so, you're not alone. Sailors once thought it would help ensure their safe passage across the sea. Famous people with March birthdays include Michelangelo, Albert Einstein, Reese Witherspoon, and Carrie Underwood.
Traditional Birthstone: Aquamarine
Crystal Birthstone Color: Aquamarine
Dakota Stones Gemstone Options: Aquamarine
Symbolism: Unity, creativity, and hope. Blue conveys introspection, tolerance, and responsibility.
Fun Fact: The largest cut aquamarine gemstone was designed by gem artist Bernd Munsteiner and named Dom Pedro. It weighs over 4 pounds!
Zodiac Signs: Pisces The Fish (Intuitive) is for birthdays from March 1-20. Aries The Ram (Bold) is for birthdays from March 21-31.
Flowers: Daffodil or Jonquil
April is associated with the diamond. The diamond is one of the hardest gemstones, which is one of the reasons it works so well in jewelry. Those born in March share a birthstone with individuals like Leonardo da Vinci, William Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth II, and Emma Watson.
Traditional Birthstone: Diamond
Crystal Birthstone Color: Crystal
Dakota Stones Gemstone Options: Quartz
Symbolism: Strength, courage, and true love. White or clear conveys clarity and purity.
Fun Fact: It's common knowledge that the diamond serves a dual purpose as a birthstone and a popular stone in engagement rings. But did you know that the current popularity of using a diamond in an engagement ring is the result of a successful marketing campaign started in the 1930s?
Zodiac Signs: Aries The Ram (Bold) is for birthdays from April 1-19. Taurus The Bull (Trustworthy) is for birthdays from April 20-30.
Flowers: Daisy or Sweet Pea
May is associated with the emerald. The emerald's beautiful green tones match perfectly with spring and make it an appropriate gemstone for the season. Famous names you may recognize with May birthdays include Audrey Hepburn, Stevie Wonder, George Lucas, and Adele Adkins.
Traditional Birthstone: Emerald
Crystal Birthstone Color: Emerald
Symbolism: Renewal, wisdom, and prosperity. Green conveys hope, harmony, and balance.
Fun Fact: Natural emeralds are prone to be cloudy, so a natural emerald's clarity is a huge factor in determining its value.
Zodiac Signs: Taurus The Bull (Trustworthy) is for birthdays from May 1-20. Gemini The Twins (Intelligent) is for birthdays from May 21-31.
Flowers: Lily of the Valley or Hawthorn
June is associated with the pearl, a gemstone known for its luster. If you are born in June, you share a birth month with Helen Keller, Marilyn Monroe, Morgan Freeman, and Paul McCartney.
Traditional Birthstone: Pearl
Crystal Birthstone Color: Light Amethyst, Crystal Pearls, or Crystal AB,
Dakota Stones Gemstone Options: Moonstone
Symbolism: Clarity, rebirth, and balance. Violet conveys generosity, integrity, and sensitivity.
Fun Fact: The moonstone has been used in jewelry since ancient times. Some cultures didn't just associate it with the moon. They thought that moonstones were actual pieces of the moon's rays.
Zodiac Signs: Gemini The Twins (Intelligent) is for birthdays from June 1-20. Cancer The Crab (Imaginative) is for birthdays from June 21-30.
Flowers: Rose or Honeysuckle
July is associated with the ruby. Rubies have always been a prized gemstone. In fact, a ruby known as the Sunrise Ruby is currently the world's most expensive colored gemstone. Recognize these names? Ernest Hemingway, Frida Kahlo, Robin Williams, and Sandra Bullock were all born in July.
Traditional Birthstone: Ruby
Crystal Birthstone Color: Light Siam
Dakota Stones Gemstone Options: Carnelian
Symbolism: Harmony, peace, and nobility. Red conveys passion, optimism, and creativity.
Fun Fact: Gemologists can determine if a ruby is natural by looking for tiny imperfections. All natural rubies have some. If there aren't any, it's man-made.
Zodiac Signs: Cancer The Crab (Imaginative) is for birthdays from July 1-22. Leo The Lion (Generous) is for birthdays from July 23-31.
Flowers: Larkspur or Water Lily
August is associated with peridot. The origins of peridot could be considered quite exotic. In its natural state, this gemstone can be found in lava and meteorites. Famous people born in August include Coco Chanel, Alfred Hitchcock, Martha Stewart, and Amy Adams.
Traditional Birthstone: Peridot
Crystal Birthstone Color: Peridot
Dakota Stones Gemstone Options: Jade
Symbolism: Purity, clarity, and strength. Green conveys hope, harmony, and balance.
Fun Fact: Even among jewelry lovers, it can be really confusing to know how to pronounce Peridot. Is it per-i-doh or per-i-dot? Guess what? They're both right!
Zodiac Signs: Leo The Lion (Generous) is for birthdays from August 1-22. Virgo The Virgin (Practical) is for birthdays from August 23-31.
Flowers: Gladiolas or Poppy
September is associated with the sapphire. The most popular sapphire is blue, but sapphires come in many different colors including a pink-orange version known as padparadscha. If your birthday is in September, you share a birthstone with famous names like Confucius, Leo Tolstoy, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jennifer Hudson.
Traditional Birthstone: Sapphire
Crystal Birthstone Color: Sapphire
Dakota Stones Gemstone Options: Lapis Lazuli
Symbolism: Peace, loyalty, and optimism. Blue conveys introspection, tolerance, and responsibility.
Fun Fact: Cleopatra used powdered Lapis Lazuli as eyeshadow.
Zodiac Signs: Virgo The Virgin (Practical) is for birthdays from September 1-22. Libra The Scales (Peaceful) is for birthdays from September 23-30.
Flowers: Aster or Morning Glory
October is associated with the opal, which can be one of the most colorful gemstones of all. Those with October birthdays include notable names like Virgil, Angela Lansbury, Ralph Lauren, and Julie Andrews.
Traditional Birthstone: Opal
Crystal Birthstone Color: Rose and Opal Colors
Dakota Stones Gemstone Options: Tourmaline
Symbolism: Hope, creativity, and balance. Pink conveys love, compassion, and acceptance.
Fun Fact: Born in October? You have plenty of choice when it comes to birthstones! While pink is a favorite, tourmaline comes in a variety of colors. And just one opal can shimmer like a rainbow.
Zodiac Signs: Libra The Scales (Peaceful) is for birthdays from October 1-22. Scorpio The Scorpion (Passionate) is for birthdays from October 23-31.
Flowers: Marigold or Cosmos
November is associated with citrine, a warm yellow gemstone that gets its name from the French word for lemon: citron. Do you have a November birthday? If so, you share a birthstone with Mark Twain, Claude Monet, Grace Kelly, and Anne Hathaway.
Traditional Birthstone: Citrine
Crystal Birthstone Color: Topaz
Dakota Stones Gemstone Options: Goldstone
Symbolism: Confidence, vitality, and balance. Orange conveys congeniality and creativity.
Fun Fact: Lots of people love Citrine, Topaz, and Goldstone. But if you're wishing you had another color choice other than yellow-orange, I'll let you in on a little secret. During the 15th-20th centuries the pearl was one of the November birthstones. So, go ahead and use the pearl, even if it is also June's birthstone. You had it first!
Zodiac Signs: Scorpio The Scorpion (Passionate) is for birthdays from November 1-21. Sagittarius The Archer (Far-Seeing) is for birthdays from November 22-30.
Flower: Chrysanthemum
December is associated with turquoise. This popular gemstone has been used since ancient times by a variety of cultures including Egyptians, Persians, and Native Americans. Famous individuals born in December include Mary the Queen of Scots, Walt Disney, Samuel Jackson, and Taylor Swift.
Traditional Birthstone: Turquoise
Crystal Birthstone Color: Montana Sapphire, Bermuda Blue, Tanzanite
Dakota Stones Gemstone Options: Onyx, Turquoise, Sodalite
Symbolism: Balance, energy, and creativity. Indigo conveys idealism, concentration, and intuition.
Fun Fact: If you're a lover of blue, December is for you. Bermuda Blue and Turquoise are popular choices even when they aren't being used as birthstones. Wanting something in another shade? Bloodstone and ruby were December birthstones during the 15th-20th centuries.
Zodiac Signs: Sagittarius The Archer (Far-Seeing) is for birthdays from December 1-21. Capricorn The Goat (Ambitious) is for birthdays from December 22-31.
