birthstone
Americannoun
noun
Usage
What does birthstone mean? A birthstone is a precious or semiprecious stone associated with a particular month. Some people wear jewelry with the stone that corresponds with the month they were born. Here is a list of the birthstones that have traditionally been associated with each month, along with some of their modern alternatives.
- January: garnet
- February: amethyst
- March: bloodstone (or aquamarine)
- April: diamond
- May: emerald
- June: pearl (or alexandrite or moonstone)
- July: ruby
- August: sardonyx (or peridot or spinel)
- September: sapphire
- October: opal (or tourmaline)
- November: topaz (or citrine)
- December: turquoise or lapis (or blue zircon or blue topaz or tanzanite)
Etymology
Origin of birthstone
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For the mission, Hansen is carrying four Moon-shaped pendants, each with a birthstone representing his wife and three teenage children.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
Pair your giftee’s birthstone with that of a loved one or simply choose two of their favorite stones.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2023
She sought out a Black female designer to create a bespoke engagement ring, and landed upon Maggi Simpkins, who customized the ring with a ruby, Ms. Hardy’s birthstone, beneath the diamond setting.
From New York Times • Feb. 11, 2022
Last year, for Mother’s Day, he bought me a necklace with her birthstone.
From Slate • Sep. 25, 2017
Her family identified her by the birthstone ring found on her finger.
From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
