Birthstones by month: find your stone
Your birthstone is linked to the month you were born in. Some months have one familiar stone; others offer two or three choices. Below you will find birthstones for each month, with pictures and price examples to help you plan a piece of jewellery.
Month assignments follow GIA's birthstone list. This guide features aquamarine for March and peridot for August, with popular alternatives for other months. Traditional and modern charts can differ. Choose a colour you enjoy, then consider how you will wear it: a pendant and an everyday ring face different demands.
Birthstone pictures and price examples
These examples mix loose stones and finished jewellery; compare their specifications before comparing prices. The Anny's coloured-gem listings do not state natural or lab-grown status or treatments. Ask us to confirm these details before choosing.
Prices are in Australian dollars: the diamond and peridot examples were checked on 20 September 2026; other examples on 19 September. Anny's prices include GST. Loose stones need a separate quote for metal, setting and manufacture.
The moonstone example is from Embella; its page does not state whether GST is included. Diamond, peridot and moonstone images are illustrative; other photographs show the listed Anny's item. Prices and availability can change.
January Garnet
Example: A$550. 2.41ct purple cushion; loose stone. Anny's listing.
Often red; also purple, orange, pink and green.
February Amethyst
Example: A$347. 6ct purple emerald cut; loose stone. Anny's listing.
Pale lilac to deep purple.
March Aquamarine
Example: A$1,890. 1.48ct blue emerald cut; loose stone. Anny's listing.
Light blue to greenish blue.
April Diamond
Natural example: A$6,596. 1ct round, F colour, VS2 clarity, Excellent cut; GIA report. Loose stone.
Lab-grown example: A$1,485. 1ct round, F colour, VS2 clarity, Excellent cut; IGI report. Loose stone.
Often colourless; fancy colours are also available.
May Emerald
Example: A$5,940. 2ct green oval; loose stone. Anny's listing.
Green to bluish green.
June Pearl
Example: A$297. Pair of cultured freshwater pearl drop earrings in 9ct yellow gold. Anny's listing.
White, cream and many other body colours.
June Moonstone
External example: A$89. Sterling silver moonstone ring; retailer size 6. Embella listing.
A floating sheen that moves with the light.
June Alexandrite
Example: A$10,780. 1ct cushion-cut alexandrite; loose stone. Anny's listing.
Changes colour under different lighting.
July Ruby
Example: A$5,676. 1.35ct red pear; loose stone. Anny's listing.
Pinkish red to deep red.
August Peridot
Example: A$2,585. 3.82ct green round; loose stone. Anny's listing.
Yellowish green to olive green.
September Sapphire
Example: A$891. 1.03ct blue baguette; loose stone. Anny's listing.
Blue, teal, pink, yellow and other colours.
October Opal
Example: A$714. 1.66ct oval; loose stone. Confirm solid, doublet or triplet construction. Anny's listing.
Precious opal shows shifting play-of-colour.
October Tourmaline
Shown: 1.05ct pink oval tourmaline. Loose stone. Browse current tourmalines for availability and pricing.
Many colours, including pink and green.
November Topaz
Example: A$385. 4.4ct blue oval; loose stone. Anny's listing.
Blue, colourless, yellow, pink and more.
November Citrine
Example: A$990. 7.57ct yellow pear; loose stone. Anny's listing.
Yellow to orangey brown.
December Turquoise
Example: A$548. Pair of turquoise petal drop earrings in 9ct yellow gold. Anny's listing.
Blue to green, sometimes with visible markings known as matrix.
December Zircon
Example: A$1,540. 2.06ct blue round; loose stone. Anny's listing.
Several colours, including blue.
December Tanzanite
Example: A$3,551. 1.86ct emerald-cut tanzanite; loose stone. Anny's listing.
Blue to violet.
Choosing a birthstone gift
Start with the person as well as their month. Do they wear yellow gold or white metals? Small studs or noticeable pendants? A favourite colour can make the piece feel more personal. A September sapphire need not be blue, and a June birthday offers pearl, moonstone or alexandrite.
For a surprise, a pendant avoids guessing a ring size. A family piece can combine several birth months, with the stones' sizes and positions chosen to make the design work. Bring a photograph of jewellery the recipient already enjoys to help guide the conversation.
October has a particular Australian connection: opal is our national gemstone. Ask about an individual opal's origin and construction; the stone's name alone does not establish either.
Which birthstones suit an everyday ring?
Hardness describes resistance to scratches. Toughness describes resistance to chips and breaks. Heat, chemicals, treatments and the setting also matter. A high Mohs hardness number alone does not settle the choice. GIA explains gemstone durability.
- Strong starting points: diamond, ruby, sapphire and alexandrite can suit frequently worn rings. Assess the individual stone, any treatments and its setting; even diamond can chip.
- Choose with care: aquamarine, garnet, amethyst, citrine, tourmaline and zircon can be used in rings, but their care needs differ. Discuss your work, hobbies and expectations.
- Give extra thought to protection: emerald, topaz, tanzanite, moonstone, peridot, opal, pearl and turquoise each have vulnerabilities. Consider a pendant, earrings or an occasionally worn ring if the piece would face daily knocks.
Topaz rates 8 on the Mohs scale, yet a sharp blow can split it. Emerald often contains cracks, and filling treatments can affect cleaning and care. A protective setting helps, but cannot make a gem unbreakable. GIA: topaz care, emerald care.
Our gemstone durability guide explores these choices in more detail.
What to ask before choosing your stone
Confirm the gem’s identity, dimensions and care requirements. Ask for its natural or lab-grown status and any known treatments in writing.
Carat measures weight; dimensions help you understand how large the gem will look. Colour, clarity, cut, treatments and origin can all affect price. Compare the specifications and plan a budget for the complete piece. Browse Anny's current gemstones for more options.
Laboratory-created gems have essentially the same chemical composition and physical properties as their natural counterparts. Imitations resemble another gem but are a different material. Our natural, treated and laboratory-created gemstone guide explains the distinctions. Source: GIA.
Remove rings before gardening, gym work or household cleaning, and store jewellery separately. Check before using ultrasonic or steam cleaners: pearl, opal, emerald, topaz and tanzanite need gentler cleaning methods.
A few common questions
Can I choose a different birthstone or combine several?
Yes. Choose an alternative for your month, combine family birthstones or use a gem simply because you love it. For a mixed-stone piece, plan the design and cleaning method around the most delicate material.
Are birthstone meanings scientific?
Birthstone meanings belong to traditions and symbolism. They do not establish health benefits or guarantee luck. The connection to a person or occasion can be meaningful in its own right.
Is zircon the same as cubic zirconia?
No. Zircon is a natural gemstone and a December birthstone. Cubic zirconia is a manufactured gem material often used to imitate diamond. GIA: zircon, gem imitations.
Make it personal with Anny's
Bring us the month, a favourite colour and an idea of the jewellery you want to wear. Our custom-made jewellery service can help you explore a suitable design, with the complete piece quoted before you proceed.
Visit 92 Young Street, Frankston. Walk-ins are welcome; no appointment is required. We are open Monday–Friday 10am–5pm and Saturday 10am–3pm.
Our Melbourne CBD showroom is at Level 3, 257 Collins Street. Email us before visiting Collins Street for engagement-ring and wedding-ring consultations. Please wait for our email confirmation before coming in. Remodelling consultations take place at our Frankston workshop.
Email info@annys.com.au to talk through your birthstone idea.