Ask ten people which stone belongs to their birth month, and most will name one. Ask which stone goes with your month, and you will often get two or three answers, because the chart has changed over the years and different countries follow different traditions. That is why birthstone jewellery is easy to like and surprisingly hard to buy correctly.
This guide gives you the month-by-month chart, what each stone is, how hard it is, and which ones suit a ring you will wear often. It also shows how Platizem's twelve birthstone rings are priced in INR, so you can plan a gift for a birthday, a mother, a wife, or yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Every month has at least one stone, and several have two or three. GIA birthstone lists, for example, pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite for June, and turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon for December, so a birthstone chart gives you options, not one fixed answer.
- The modern list dates to 1912. The National Association of Jewelers (now Jewelers of America) set it, then updated it when tanzanite joined December in 2002, and spinel joined August in 2016.
- Hardness varies from 2.5 to 10 on the Mohs scale. Diamond is 10, ruby and sapphire 9, while pearl is only 2.5 to 4.5, so some birthstone rings suit daily wear far better than others.
- Platizem's birthstone rings start from ₹11,240 for May to March birthdays and ₹16,240 for April in S925 silver with moissanite accents, and from ₹26,835 and ₹84,835 with laboratory-grown diamond accents.
- The Indian system is different. Navaratna and rashi gemstones are chosen by planet or moon sign, not birth month, so a birth-month stone and a rashi stone can be two different things.
Quick Answer: What Is My Birthstone by Month?
- Which stone is my birthstone by month? January garnet, February amethyst, March aquamarine, April diamond, May emerald, June alexandrite or pearl, July ruby, August peridot, September sapphire, October tourmaline or opal, November citrine or topaz, December tanzanite.
- What is the best birthstone ring for daily wear? Diamond, ruby, and sapphire (Mohs 9 to 10) resist scratches best, followed by topaz, emerald, aquamarine, garnet, and tourmaline. Opal, pearl, and turquoise are softer and suit occasional wear.
- How much is a birthstone ring in India? Prices depend on the gemstone, metal, and accent stones. Platizem's monthly birthstone rings begin at ₹11,240 in S925 silver with moissanite and ₹26,835 with laboratory-grown diamond accents.
What Is a Birthstone, and Who Decides the List?
A birthstone is a gemstone assigned to a month of the year, worn as a personal or gifted piece of jewellery. There is no single global authority. The list most jewellers in India and abroad use today comes from a 1912 agreement among American jewellers, which has been revised twice since: tanzanite was added to December in 2002, and spinel was added as a second August stone in 2016, according to the American Gem Trade Association and Jewelers of America.
GIA's own birthstone chart shows how many months now carry more than one option: March has aquamarine and bloodstone, June has pearl, moonstone and alexandrite, August has peridot and spinel, October has opal and tourmaline, November has topaz and citrine, and December has turquoise, tanzanite and zircon. If your jeweler names a different stone from your cousin's chart, both may be right.
Birthstone Month vs Zodiac Stone vs Navaratna
These three systems often get mixed up, and mixing them can lead to the wrong purchases. The birthstone chart follows your calendar month. A zodiac or sun-sign stone follows the Western zodiac dates. The Indian Navaratna and rashi ratna tradition links gemstones to nine planets or to your moon sign. Platizem's birthstone rings follow the calendar-month chart. If you follow a rashi stone on an astrologer's advice, treat that as a separate decision, and check the stone and its quality with the astrologer and a gemologist. This guide makes no claims about luck or healing.
Birthstones by Month: The Chart With Hardness and Ring Suitability
The table lists the most commonly given stone for each month, the other stones GIA lists, and how suitable the stone is for a ring worn often. Hardness numbers are on the Mohs scale, where 10 is the hardest.
| Month | Main birthstone | Other listed stones | Mohs hardness | Ring suitability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | None | 7 to 7.5 | Good for regular wear, with some care |
| February | Amethyst | None | About 7 (quartz) | Good, avoid hard knocks |
| March | Aquamarine | Bloodstone | 7.5 to 8 | Good |
| April | Diamond | None | 10 | Best for daily wear |
| May | Emerald | None | 7.5 to 8 | Good, but emeralds often have natural inclusions, so avoid sharp impact |
| June | Alexandrite | Pearl, moonstone | Alexandrite about 8.5; pearl 2.5 to 4.5 | Alexandrite is hard-wearing; pearl is delicate |
| July | Ruby | None | 9 | Excellent |
| August | Peridot | Spinel | Lower than most stones above | Occasional to regular wear with care |
| September | Sapphire | None | 9 | Excellent |
| October | Tourmaline | Opal | Tourmaline 7 to 7.5; opal 5.5 to 6.5 | Tourmaline is good; opal is soft |
| November | Citrine | Topaz | Citrine about 7; topaz 8 | Good |
| December | Tanzanite | Turquoise, zircon | Tanzanite about 6.5 to 7; turquoise 5 to 6 | Occasional wear; protect from knocks |
The practical point: if you plan to wear the ring daily, July (ruby), September (sapphire) and April (diamond) are the most forgiving stones. A June-born person who loves pearls should expect a ring to need more care than a pearl pendant or earrings, which sit away from the knocks a hand takes.
Month-by-Month Birthstone Ring Guide
1. January: Garnet
Garnet is best known in deep red, though it also occurs in orange, green, and other shades. It is a reasonable all-day stone at 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. The January birthstone ring is available in silver, gold, and platinum.
2. February: Amethyst
Amethyst is purple quartz, with a hardness of about 7. It is one of the more affordable coloured stones, which is why it appears often in gifts for a first birthstone piece. Silver sets off its color. See the February birthstone ring.
3. March: Aquamarine
Aquamarine is the blue-green to pale blue member of the beryl family, with a hardness of 7.5 to 8. It's a great choice for someone who wants a cool, light color that doesn't look heavy on the hand. Platizem's March birthstone ring follows this month's stone.
4. April: Diamond
April is the one month where the birthstone is also the most familiar gem. Diamond ranks 10 on the Mohs scale, making it the strongest option for a daily ring. Buyers can choose a laboratory-grown diamond, which GIA describes as having the same crystal structure as a natural diamond and nearly the same chemical, optical, and physical properties. Moissanite is a different gemstone, silicon carbide, and not a diamond; some April-born buyers choose it for its lower price and brighter sparkle. Platizem's 2-carat emerald diamond ring is the April birthstone piece, a solitaire with accent stones, unlike the other eleven rings.
5. May: Emerald
Emerald is the green beryl with a hardness of 7.5 to 8, though most emeralds contain natural inclusions that make them more breakable than their number suggests. Avoid wearing emerald rings while doing heavy work or at the gym. The May birthstone ring is a good fit for a gift where the color matters more than size.
6. June: Alexandrite, Pearl and Moonstone
June has three options, and they behave differently. Alexandrite is a color-change stone known for appearing greenish in daylight and reddish under incandescent light. It is hard at about 8.5. Pearl and moonstone are softer. For a ring you want to wear every day, alexandrite is the safer choice. See the June birthstone ring.
7. July: Ruby
Ruby is the red variety of corundum (which also gives us sapphire), and it scores 9 on the Mohs scale. It handles daily wear well. Red is also an everyday color in Indian jewellery, so the July birthstone ring sits comfortably next to both traditional and modern outfits.
8. August: Peridot and Spinel
Peridot is a yellow-green stone, and spinel, added in 2016, comes in red, pink, blue, and other colors. Peridot is softer than ruby or sapphire, so it likes gentle wear. The August birthstone ring follows the peridot tradition.
9. September: Sapphire
Sapphire is traditionally blue, though it occurs in other colors too. At 9 on the Mohs scale, it is one of the best colored stones for rings worn every day. See the September birthstone ring.
10. October: Tourmaline and Opal
Tourmaline appears in almost every color, including pink, green, and bi-color crystals, and holds up well at 7 to 7.5. Opal is much softer, at 5.5 to 6.5, and can crack with knocks or sudden temperature changes. For a ring, tourmaline is the practical October choice. The October birthstone ring is the one to view.
11. November: Citrine and Topaz
Citrine is yellow to orange quartz, and topaz is harder at 8. The warm tone looks good in yellow gold. The November birthstone ring is a great choice for a Diwali-season birthday.
12. December: Tanzanite, Turquoise and Zircon
Tanzanite, the 2002 addition, is a violet-blue stone that is relatively soft for a ring. Keep it away from knocks. Turquoise is softer still, at 5 to 6. The December birthstone ring is best for someone who will wear it for special occasions rather than at the gym or in the kitchen.
Platizem Birthstone Ring Prices: What Moissanite or Laboratory-Grown Diamond Changes
Platizem's twelve birthstone rings are one design in twelve colors. The eleven monthly rings from January to March and May to December each feature a 2.00 CT colored center stone, surrounded by 48 smaller stones totaling 0.98 CT. Those smaller stones are moissanite or laboratory-grown diamond, depending on the option you select. The April ring has a different design: a 2-carat emerald cut with 49 stones totaling 2.98 CT.
| Ring | Metal | With moissanite | With laboratory-grown diamond |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly birthstone rings (Jan to Mar, May to Dec) | S925 silver | From ₹11,240 | From ₹26,835 |
| Monthly birthstone rings | 9kt gold | From ₹50,158 | From ₹65,753 |
| Monthly birthstone rings | 14kt gold | From ₹84,857 | From ₹1,00,452 |
| Monthly birthstone rings | 18kt gold | From ₹1,17,809 | From ₹1,33,404 |
| Monthly birthstone rings | Pt950 platinum | From ₹1,00,862 | From ₹1,16,457 |
| April ring (2 carat emerald cut) | S925 silver | From ₹16,240 | From ₹84,835 |
| April ring (2 carat emerald cut) | 9kt gold | From ₹55,158 | From ₹1,23,753 |
Two patterns are worth noticing. On the monthly rings, the stone choice adds a steady ₹15,595 regardless of the metal, so the metal drives most of the budget. On the April ring, the gap is far bigger, about ₹68,595, because the accent stones are heavier. Prices are the starting prices for the exact stone and metal named, and metal rates change, so confirm the final amount, including tax, at checkout.
How to Choose the Right Birthstone Ring
1. Start with how it will be worn. A ring that sits on a finger for ten hours a day takes more knocks than a pendant. Pick a harder stone for daily wear, or choose the softer stone as a pendant or earring instead. Our pendant collection and earring collection are good places to start if the month's stone is soft.
2. Choose the metal next. Silver is the lowest-cost route and suits a first piece. 9kt and 14kt gold wear better for daily use. Our guide to moissanite ring prices in India shows how carat and metal affect cost, and our guide to laboratory-grown diamond rings under ₹10,000 helps if you're on a tight budget.
3. Decide what the small stones should be. Moissanite and laboratory-grown diamonds are different. Moissanite gives a brighter, more colorful sparkle at a lower price. Laboratory-grown diamonds are grown in a lab and offer a whiter sparkle. Read our explanation of moissanite and how it differs from a diamond, and the wider list of alternatives to diamonds before you decide.
4. Ask what the coloured stone is. With any birthstone jewellery, ask the seller to state in writing whether the colored stone is natural, laboratory-created, or a simulant, and what treatment it has. The three categories differ in price and value. Ask this before you pay.
Birthstone Jewellery as a Gift: Who, When and How Much
The birthstone is one of the few gift ideas that feels personal without needing much knowledge of the person's taste. Common occasions in India include birthdays, anniversaries, a daughter's milestone, and gifting for Diwali or Karwa Chauth. If you are buying for a wife, our Karwa Chauth gift guide sets out options by budget. For a stone-first piece with no color, the solitaire stud earrings size guide shows how each carat looks.
To keep the gift safe, confirm the month and the ring size before ordering. If the person has a different traditional stone, such as pearl for June, the alexandrite ring still matches the modern chart, but it is worth knowing what she prefers. You can also share your own idea through jewellery customization, where you can discuss metals, stones, and sizes. Custom pieces are final sale, so confirm the design before approving.
Caring for Birthstone Jewellery
Care depends on the stone. Hard stones such as ruby, sapphire and diamond can be cleaned with warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Softer stones such as pearl, opal and turquoise should be wiped with a damp cloth and kept away from perfume, sweat, hair spray and cleaning products. Store each piece in its own pouch so harder stones do not scratch softer ones, and remove rings before the gym, washing dishes, or swimming.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I wear a birthstone that is not for my birth month?
Yes. A birthstone is a tradition, not a rule, and nothing about your month stops you from wearing any other stone. Many people pick a stone because they like its color, or because it belongs to a partner, parent, or child. Some buy a ring of their own month's stone and a pendant of a loved one's. The only practical consideration is hardness: pick a stone that suits how often you will wear it. If you also follow a rashi gemstone, treat that as its own decision and not as a replacement for the birthstone chart.
2. What is the difference between a birthstone and a zodiac stone?
A birthstone follows the calendar month in which you were born, while a zodiac stone follows your sun sign, which changes around the twentieth of each month. A person born on 10 March has aquamarine as the March birthstone and Pisces as the sun sign, while someone born on 25 March has the same birthstone but the sun sign Aries. Vedic astrology uses another system, based on your moon sign, and assigns stones to planets. Because the three lists differ, check which one the recipient follows before you buy, particularly for an older relative who may follow Navaratna rules.
3. Which birthstone is best for a man's ring?
A man can wear any stone, but the best ones for a ring are the hard, dark or deep-coloured options: ruby for July, sapphire for September, garnet for January and tourmaline for October. Men usually put more knocks on a ring than women do, so avoid opal, pearl and turquoise for this use. Choose a plain metal such as 14kt gold or platinum if the ring will be worn daily, and keep the setting low so it does not catch on clothes or gloves.
4. How do I find my ring size for a birthstone ring?
The most reliable way is to measure a ring that already fits the same finger, using the inner diameter or circumference, and match it to the brand's size chart. You can also wrap a strip of paper around the base of the finger, mark where it overlaps, and measure the length. Measure in the evening when fingers are slightly larger, and avoid cold hands. Note that Indian ring sizes differ from US and UK numbering, so ask the seller which scale the chart uses before ordering.
5. Is a pearl ring a good idea for a June birthday?
Pearl is traditional for June, but at 2.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale, it is the softest of all birthstones and can scratch or lose its luster when it meets perfume, sweat, or cosmetics. A pearl pendant or earrings sit away from daily knocks and are a better way to honor the tradition. If you want a ring, choose alexandrite for daily wear and keep a pearl ring for special occasions. Wipe pearls with a soft cloth after each wear.
6. What birthstone should I give my mother or wife?
Choose the stone for her birth month, since she's most likely to recognize and value it. If you know she prefers a different color or has a favorite from the alternative list, such as pearl or moonstone for June, go with that. A pendant or a pair of earrings is often an easier gift than a ring because the size is not a risk. If you are unsure, buy a ring in a size that can be adjusted or ask her to try a similar ring first.
Choose Your Birthstone Ring
Start with the birthstone jewellery collection, pick your month, then switch between moissanite and laboratory-grown diamond and between silver, gold and platinum to see what applies to your choice. For April, see the 2-carat emerald-cut ring. Want a different stone, metal, or size? Share it on the customization page.