Birthstones for all twelve zodiac signs, and the international birthstones by month

The zodiac signs people talk about day to day (Aries, Taurus, Gemini …) are the Western tropical zodiac, fixed by the Sun's position on the day of birth. They depend on the date and month only — not the year, and not the day of the week.

Zodiac gems come from pairing each sign's ruling planet with the colour and stone taken to represent that planet. Western sources of different eras give somewhat different lists. This guide uses the set most widely accepted today, restricted to stones that are actually available and worth buying.

At the end is the international birthstone-by-month table — a separate system that overlaps with the zodiac. If you know only the month, use that table instead.

Summary table

The boundary dates shift by a day in some years. Anyone born on a cusp (20 April, 22 December and so on) should check an astrological calendar for their birth year.

See the gems and jewellery we have in store, by sign, on the zodiac birthstones page.

Fire signs — Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

The fire signs are taken to be energetic, bold and direct. Their gems are the ones with fire and saturated colour.

Aries (21 Mar – 19 Apr), ruled by Mars. Diamond, which is also April's birthstone, and ruby for the force of Mars. For an Aries who likes things clear-cut, a solitaire diamond or a vivid ruby answers — Aries birthstones

Leo (23 Jul – 22 Aug), ruled by the Sun. Ruby and golden yellow sapphire match Leo's presence and generosity. Olive-green peridot, August's birthstone, can be worn alongside — Leo birthstones

Sagittarius (22 Nov – 21 Dec), ruled by Jupiter. Deep blue sapphire is the principal stone, for travel, learning and the wide view — Sagittarius birthstones

Earth signs — Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

The earth signs are taken to be steady, patient and attached to what can be held. Their gems tend towards green and towards dense, durable stones.

Taurus (20 Apr – 20 May), ruled by Venus. Emerald is the clearest Taurus stone and May's birthstone as well; blue sapphire is second. Taureans tend to prefer the classic and the lasting, so an emerald in a plain setting suits — Taurus birthstones

Virgo (23 Aug – 22 Sep), ruled by Mercury. Blue sapphire is principal and matches September. Jade is second, for Virgo's precision and taste for the simple — Virgo birthstones

Capricorn (22 Dec – 19 Jan), ruled by Saturn. Garnet is January's birthstone; ruby and black spinel speak to Capricorn's ambition and endurance — Capricorn birthstones

Air signs — Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

The air signs are taken to be quick, sociable and balanced. Their gems lean towards pale tones and blues.

Gemini (21 May – 20 Jun), ruled by Mercury. Pearl is both the zodiac stone and June's birthstone. The sheer range of pearls — in colour, size and shape — suits a Gemini who dislikes staying put — Gemini birthstones

Libra (23 Sep – 22 Oct), ruled by Venus. Blue and pink sapphire, two colours of one mineral, like the two pans of Libra's scales. Opal is October's birthstone — Libra birthstones

Aquarius (20 Jan – 18 Feb), ruled by Saturn and Uranus. Blue-to-violet tones: blue sapphire, purple sapphire and amethyst, February's birthstone, for the forward-looking Aquarian — Aquarius birthstones

Water signs — Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

The water signs are taken to be sensitive, deep and intuitive. Their gems range from gentle pearl to dark ruby.

Cancer (21 Jun – 22 Jul), ruled by the Moon. Ruby is July's birthstone; pearl and moonstone represent the Moon directly. A Cancerian attached to family often chooses a pearl that can be passed down — Cancer birthstones

Scorpio (23 Oct – 21 Nov), ruled by Mars and Pluto. Dark ruby and black spinel reflect Scorpio's depth and resolve. Topaz is November's birthstone — Scorpio birthstones

Pisces (19 Feb – 20 Mar), ruled by Jupiter and Neptune. Pearl and blue sapphire are principal; clear blue aquamarine, March's birthstone, is the most watery of all — Pisces birthstones

The international birthstones by month

This system differs from the zodiac in looking only at the month. The list used worldwide was set by the Jewelers of America in 1912 and has had a few stones added since. Jewellers everywhere use the same list.

April, May, June, July, August and September correspond to stones Bijouxteria carries regularly; the others we source to order. See the birthstones by month page.

Choosing between zodiac, month and day of birth

One person has an auspicious stone under three systems. Zodiac and month are international; day of birth is Thai (see Thai birthstones by day of the week). None is more "correct". From experience at the counter:

• For a Thai recipient — day of birth first; it is what they know best and easiest to explain.
• For someone abroad, or younger and into astrology — zodiac or month.
• When two systems agree — better still. Born on a Friday and a Virgo, blue sapphire answers both.

A stone that fits several systems at once tends to land especially well, because it feels right on more than one level.