Birthstones are gems associated with the month of one's birth. Wearing your birthstone is said to bring good luck, good health, and protection. But beyond the superstitions, birthstones offer a fascinating way to explore the mineral kingdom. Let's take a journey through the calendar and discover the geological wonders connected to your special month.

January: Garnet

We start the year with [Garnet](/mineral/garnet), a deep red gem that symbolizes protection and strength. While commonly red, garnets actually come in almost every color. This silicate mineral forms in metamorphic rocks under high pressure, making it a fitting symbol for resilience at the start of a new year.

February: Amethyst

For those born in February, the royal purple [Amethyst](/mineral/amethyst) is your stone. A variety of quartz, its color comes from irradiation and iron impurities. Ancient Greeks believed it prevented intoxication—perhaps useful after New Year's celebrations!

March: Aquamarine

March's stone is [Aquamarine](/mineral/aquamarine), the blue-green variety of beryl. It evokes the purity of crystalline waters and the relaxation of the sea. It was historically used by sailors for good luck and protection.

April: Diamond

The king of gems, [Diamond](/mineral/diamond), belongs to April. The hardest natural material on Earth (10 on the Mohs scale), it forms deep within the mantle. It symbolizes everlasting love and invincibility.

May: Emerald

May brings the lush green of [Emerald](/mineral/emerald), another variety of beryl like aquamarine. Its rich green color represents rebirth and love. The most famous emeralds come from Colombia, where they are mined from sedimentary host rocks.

June: Pearl & Moonstone

June has softer, organic options. Pearls are unique because they are grown within mollusks, not mined from the earth. [Moonstone](/mineral/moonstone) is a feldspar mineral known for its adularescence—a ghostly sheen that mimics moonlight.

July: Ruby

The fiery red [Ruby](/mineral/ruby) heats up July. As a variety of corundum (aluminum oxide), it is second only to diamond in hardness. Its color comes from chromium, which also causes it to fluoresce under UV light.

August: Peridot

[Peridot](/mineral/peridot) is the gem of August. Unlike most gems that occur in many colors, peridot is always olive-green. It forms deep in the earth's mantle and is brought to the surface by volcanoes—sometimes it even arrives from space in meteorites!

September: Sapphire

September's birthstone is [Sapphire](/mineral/sapphire). Like ruby, it is a form of corundum, but typically blue (though it can be pink, yellow, or green). It has been associated with wisdom, virtue, and good fortune for centuries.

October: Opal

October features the magical [Opal](/mineral/opal). Technically a mineraloid because it lacks a crystal structure, opal diffracts light to create a rainbow 'play of color'. It is a stone of creativity and inspiration.

November: Topaz

[Topaz](/mineral/topaz) represents November. While pure topaz is colorless, the most prized versions for birthstones remain the rich yellow/orange 'Imperial Topaz' or the popular blue treated varieties. It is a symbol of love and affection.

December: Zircon, Tanzanite & Turquoise

December offers a range of blue stones including [Zircon](/mineral/zircon) (the oldest mineral on earth), [Tanzanite](/mineral/tanzanite) (found only in Tanzania), and [Turquoise](/mineral/turquoise). All represent wisdom and protection as the year closes.

Finding Your Stone

Whether you believe in their mystical powers or simply admire their beauty, birthstones are a personal entry point into the world of geology. Each one tells a story of the Earth's history—from the volcanic origins of Peridot to the metamorphic pressure that creates Garnet.