Birthstone Jewellery as a Gift: How to Choose by Month
A birthstone gift is personal in a way most jewellery is not. It says you thought about the person, not just the price. And it does not have to cost much: birthstones run from the affordable to the precious, so there is a good option at almost any budget. The trick is picking the right stone for the month, the right piece for the person, and knowing which stones are tough enough for the way they will be worn. Here is how to choose.
Birthstone by month
Start with the month. Several months have more than one modern birthstone, which gives you choice. These are the modern birthstones as listed by the GIA.
| Month | Modern birthstone |
|---|---|
| January | Garnet |
| February | Amethyst |
| March | Aquamarine |
| April | Diamond |
| May | Emerald |
| June | Pearl, moonstone, or alexandrite |
| July | Ruby |
| August | Peridot or spinel |
| September | Sapphire |
| October | Opal or tourmaline |
| November | Topaz or citrine |
| December | Turquoise, tanzanite, or zircon |
Our birthstone guide explains the meanings and history behind each one.
Pick the piece for the person
The format matters as much as the stone, because it decides how easy the gift is to give and to wear.
- A pendant is the safest choice. It suits any age, needs no size, and works for almost every stone, including the softer ones.
- Stud earrings are a lovely, understated everyday gift, and again need no sizing.
- A ring is more personal but you need the finger size, and softer stones are riskier in a ring worn daily.
- A bracelet is a nice option, especially for charm-style pieces that can grow over time.
Match the stone to the wear
This is where a little knowledge saves a gift from disappointment. Some birthstones are hard and happy in anything, while others are soft and better kept off a daily-wear ring. A few pointers:
- Tough enough for anything: April diamond, September sapphire, July ruby. Great as rings.
- Durable and easy: January garnet, March aquamarine, February amethyst. Fine in most pieces, with a little care in a ring.
- Handle with care: May emerald, October opal, December tanzanite, and June pearl. Beautiful, but best as pendants or earrings rather than everyday rings.
Make it extra personal
The nicest birthstone gifts often combine stones. A mother's pendant with a stone for each child is a classic, and a family piece with a few birthstones set together tells a story. You can also pair a birthstone with an engraved date, or give the birthstone as part of a milestone gift, which overlaps nicely with our anniversary gift guide. Because we design and make in house, we can set any combination of stones you like.
Key Takeaways
- Start with the month, remembering several months offer more than one modern birthstone to choose from.
- A pendant or stud earrings are the easiest gifts, since they need no ring size and suit any stone.
- Hard stones like diamond, sapphire, and ruby suit rings; softer ones like opal, emerald, pearl, and tanzanite are better as pendants or earrings.
- Combine family birthstones or add an engraved date to make the gift more personal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the birthstone for each month?
January garnet, February amethyst, March aquamarine, April diamond, May emerald, June pearl or moonstone or alexandrite, July ruby, August peridot or spinel, September sapphire, October opal or tourmaline, November topaz or citrine, and December turquoise, tanzanite, or zircon. Several months offer a choice of modern stones.
What is the best birthstone gift for someone?
A pendant or stud earrings in the person's birthstone is the safest, most versatile gift, because it needs no ring size and suits any stone. Choose a ring only if you know the finger size and the stone is durable enough for daily wear.
Which birthstones are too soft for a ring?
Opal (October), pearl (June), emerald (May), and tanzanite (December) are softer or more delicate and are better as pendants or earrings than as everyday rings. Harder stones like diamond, sapphire, and ruby handle daily ring wear easily.
Can you combine birthstones in one piece?
Yes, and it makes a lovely personal gift. A mother's pendant with a stone for each child, or a family piece with several birthstones set together, is a popular choice. A jeweller who makes in house can set any combination you want, often with an engraved date added.
Sources
Data sourced 19 July 2026. If you spot something out of date, tell us and we will update the guide.
Visit Vanhess
We are a family-run studio at 2929 Barnet Highway, Unit 2424 in Coquitlam, with an on-site goldsmith who can set any birthstone in a pendant, earrings, or ring, including family combinations. Come choose a stone, or call +1 (604) 653-6449. Browse our pendants and earrings to start.
