Birthstones by Month: Colours, Meanings and Birth Flowers

We make cards, pin badges and prints in the UK. We don't sell flowers or jewellery, so the guide below is a straight guide - the card and the prints at the end are the only things we're selling.

Birthstones and birth flowers get used for the same thing: a birthday gift that looks personal without needing to know anyone's taste. They pair up neatly, one stone and one flower per month.

Here is the full list with colours, since the colour is what most people are actually looking for before they buy jewellery or wrap a present.

January to March

• January: Garnet, deep red. Traditionally stands for protection and safe travel. Birth flower: Carnation.
• February: Amethyst, purple. Traditionally stands for calm and clear thinking. Birth flower: Violet.
• March: Aquamarine, pale blue. Traditionally stands for courage and calm water. Birth flower: Daffodil.

April to June

• April: Diamond, clear. Traditionally stands for strength and lasting love. Birth flower: Daisy.
• May: Emerald, green. Traditionally stands for rebirth and growth. Birth flower: Lily of the valley.
• June: Pearl, white. Traditionally stands for purity and wisdom. Birth flower: Rose.

July to September

• July: Ruby, red. Traditionally stands for passion and vitality. Birth flower: Larkspur.
• August: Peridot, olive green. Traditionally stands for good fortune. Birth flower: Gladiolus.
• September: Sapphire, blue. Traditionally stands for loyalty and truth. Birth flower: Aster.

October to December

• October: Opal, iridescent. Traditionally stands for hope and imagination. Birth flower: Marigold.
• November: Topaz, golden. Traditionally stands for affection and strength. Birth flower: Chrysanthemum.
• December: Turquoise, blue-green. Traditionally stands for friendship and luck. Birth flower: Narcissus.

Buying by birthstone without spending a fortune

• Diamond in April and ruby in July are the expensive months. Lab-grown or a coloured glass stone is normal and nobody minds.
• Match the colour rather than the stone: a peridot-green scarf in August does the same job for a tenth of the price.
• Pearl for June is the one to check - freshwater pearls are affordable, cultured saltwater is not.
• Wrap in the birthstone colour and write the meaning in the card. That's the whole trick.

Shop birthday cards

Prints for the wall

A5, A4 and A3 art prints, drawn in house and printed in the UK.

How to write it so it lands

• Match the colour, not necessarily the stone.
• April and July are the pricey months.
• Write the meaning in the card so the link is obvious.

Where to shop next

• Birth flowers by month
• Birth flower meanings
• Birth flower gift ideas
• Birth flower card messages
• Birthday card messages
• Buy a birthday card online
• Wall art and prints
• All guides
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Pin badges

Frequently asked questions

What are the birthstones for each month?

January garnet, February amethyst, March aquamarine, April diamond, May emerald, June pearl, July ruby, August peridot, September sapphire, October opal, November topaz, December turquoise.

Do birthstones have different colours?

Yes. Several stones come in more than one colour - sapphire and topaz especially - but the traditional birthstone colour is the one used on gift lists.

Are birthstones and birth flowers linked?

Not historically, but they are used together now. Pairing the stone colour with the flower is the standard way to personalise a birthday gift.