Zodiac Birthstones: Every Sign's Birthstone and Best Crystals
Each zodiac sign has two kinds of birthstones: the modern month birthstones for the two months the sign spans, and zodiac stones chosen for the sign itself. For example, the Libra birthstone is sapphire for September birthdays and opal or tourmaline for October, while rose quartz and lapis lazuli are classic Libra zodiac crystals.
Below you will find every sign from Aries to Pisces in one place, with dates, month birthstones and the crystals most often paired with each sign. If you are shopping for a birthday, this is the quickest way to find a stone that feels personal and lasts a lifetime.
TL;DR
- Zodiac signs span two calendar months, so most signs have two sets of month birthstones.
- The modern birthstone list started with a 1912 jewelers' list and has been updated a few times since.
- There is no single official list of zodiac stones; they come from astrological tradition and vary by source.
- Virgo birthstones are peridot, spinel or sardonyx (August) and sapphire (September); Taurus birthstones are diamond (April) and emerald (May).
- Many people pair a month birthstone with an affordable zodiac crystal for everyday wear or display.
Shopping for a birthday? Start with our zodiac gifts.
Key Points:
- Month Birthstones vs Zodiac Stones
- Zodiac Birthstone Chart
- Birthstones by Zodiac Sign
- How to Choose Between Your Birthstones
- Zodiac Birthstones as Gifts
- Care and Cleansing
- Shop by Intention
- Zodiac Birthstones FAQ
- Final Thoughts
Month Birthstones vs Zodiac Stones
Month birthstones follow the calendar. The modern list traces back to 1912, when the National Association of Jewelers in the United States agreed on one stone (or a few) for each month. Jewelers have added stones since, such as tanzanite for December in 2002 and spinel for August in 2016, which is why some months now have three options.
Zodiac stones follow the sky instead. They are crystals traditionally matched to a sign's element, ruling planet and personality, and the pairings come from astrology, folklore and modern crystal practice rather than any governing body. Because there is no single official zodiac list, you will see different stones named in different places. Our complete guide to zodiac crystals explains how those pairings work for every sign.
The short version: a month birthstone tells you when someone was born, and a zodiac stone speaks to who they are. Both are meaningful, and many people happily use one of each.
Zodiac Birthstone Chart
| Sign | Dates | Month birthstones | Top zodiac crystals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aries | March 21 to April 19 | March: aquamarine and bloodstone; April: diamond | Carnelian, Red Jasper, Bloodstone |
| Taurus | April 20 to May 20 | April: diamond; May: emerald | Rose Quartz, Green Aventurine, Emerald |
| Gemini | May 21 to June 20 | May: emerald; June: pearl, moonstone and alexandrite | Blue Lace Agate, Citrine, Tiger's Eye |
| Cancer | June 21 to July 22 | June: pearl, moonstone and alexandrite; July: ruby | Moonstone, Rose Quartz, Carnelian |
| Leo | July 23 to August 22 | July: ruby; August: peridot, spinel and sardonyx | Sunstone, Citrine, Tiger's Eye |
| Virgo | August 23 to September 22 | August: peridot, spinel and sardonyx; September: sapphire | Amazonite, Amethyst, Peridot |
| Libra | September 23 to October 22 | September: sapphire; October: opal and tourmaline | Rose Quartz, Lapis Lazuli, Ametrine |
| Scorpio | October 23 to November 21 | October: opal and tourmaline; November: topaz and citrine | Black Obsidian, Malachite, Amethyst |
| Sagittarius | November 22 to December 21 | November: topaz and citrine; December: turquoise, tanzanite and zircon | Turquoise, Citrine, Amethyst |
| Capricorn | December 22 to January 19 | December: turquoise, tanzanite and zircon; January: garnet | Garnet, Black Onyx, Fluorite |
| Aquarius | January 20 to February 18 | January: garnet; February: amethyst | Amethyst, Aquamarine, Labradorite |
| Pisces | February 19 to March 20 | February: amethyst; March: aquamarine and bloodstone | Amethyst, Aquamarine, Moonstone |
Sign dates can shift by a day from year to year, so someone born right on a cusp may want to check their exact birth chart.
Birthstones by Zodiac Sign
Aries Birthstone (March 21 to April 19)
Aries birthdays fall in late March and most of April, so an Aries birthstone is aquamarine or bloodstone for March and diamond for April. Bloodstone, a deep green chalcedony flecked with red, has long been called a warrior's stone, which suits this fiery, first-to-act sign. As zodiac stones, carnelian and red jasper keep that courage steady.
Read our full Aries crystals guide or browse the Aries crystals collection.
Taurus Birthstone (April 20 to May 20)
Taurus covers late April and most of May, so the Taurus birthstone is diamond for April birthdays and emerald for May. Emerald, the green variety of beryl, fits Venus-ruled Taurus and its love of lasting beauty. For everyday zodiac crystals, rose quartz and green aventurine bring the same heart-centered, grounded feel at a gentler price.
Read our full Taurus crystals guide or browse the Taurus crystals collection.
Gemini Birthstone (May 21 to June 20)
Gemini birthdays run from late May through most of June, so Gemini birthstones are emerald for May and pearl, moonstone or alexandrite for June. June is one of only three months with three birthstones, which feels right for the many-sided sign of the Twins. Blue lace agate, citrine and tiger's eye are the classic Gemini crystals for clear, easy communication.
Read our full Gemini crystals guide or browse the Gemini crystals collection.
Cancer Birthstone (June 21 to July 22)
Cancer spans late June and most of July, so Cancer birthstones are pearl, moonstone or alexandrite for June and ruby for July. Moonstone is a natural match, since Cancer is ruled by the Moon and moonstone's soft glow has been tied to lunar cycles for centuries. Rose quartz and carnelian round out the Cancer crystal set.
Read our full Cancer crystals guide or browse the Cancer crystals collection.
Leo Birthstone (July 23 to August 22)
Leo birthdays fall in late July and most of August, so the Leo birthstone is ruby for July and peridot, spinel or sardonyx for August. Ruled by the Sun, Leo pairs beautifully with sunstone, a feldspar with a warm, glittering shimmer. Citrine and tiger's eye are the other go-to Leo crystals for confidence and creative spark.
Read our full Leo crystals guide or browse the Leo crystals collection.
Virgo Birthstone (August 23 to September 22)
Virgo runs from late August through most of September, so Virgo birthstones are peridot, spinel or sardonyx for August and sapphire for September. Peridot is one of the few gems found in only one color, a bright olive green, which suits orderly, detail-loving Virgo. Amazonite and amethyst are popular Virgo crystals for calming a busy mind.
Read our full Virgo crystals guide or browse the Virgo crystals collection.
Libra Birthstone (September 23 to October 22)
Libra covers late September and most of October, so the Libra birthstone is sapphire for September and opal or tourmaline for October. Opal's shifting play of color mirrors Libra's love of beauty and balance. Rose quartz, lapis lazuli and ametrine are the classic Libra crystals for harmony in relationships and honest conversation.
Read our full Libra crystals guide or browse the Libra crystals collection.
Scorpio Birthstone (October 23 to November 21)
Scorpio spans late October and most of November, so Scorpio birthstones are opal or tourmaline for October and topaz or citrine for November. For zodiac stones, Scorpio leans dark and powerful: black obsidian, a natural volcanic glass, is the traditional pick for this intense, transformative sign, with malachite and amethyst close behind.
Read our full Scorpio crystals guide or browse the Scorpio crystals collection.
Sagittarius Birthstone (November 22 to December 21)
Sagittarius birthdays run from late November through most of December, so Sagittarius birthstones are topaz or citrine for November and turquoise, tanzanite or zircon for December. Turquoise has been carried as a traveler's stone in many cultures, a natural fit for the zodiac's adventurer. Citrine adds Sagittarius-style optimism.
Read our full Sagittarius crystals guide or browse the Sagittarius crystals collection.
Capricorn Birthstone (December 22 to January 19)
Capricorn covers late December and most of January, so the Capricorn birthstone is turquoise, tanzanite or zircon for December and garnet for January. Deep red garnet suits steady, ambitious Capricorn and has a long history as a stone of strength and commitment. Black onyx and fluorite are popular Capricorn crystals for focus.
Read our full Capricorn crystals guide or browse the Capricorn crystals collection.
Aquarius Birthstone (January 20 to February 18)
Aquarius spans late January and most of February, so Aquarius birthstones are garnet for January and amethyst for February. Amethyst, the purple variety of quartz, is the stone most people link with Aquarius and its visionary, independent spirit. Aquamarine and labradorite are the other favorite Aquarius crystals for fresh ideas and intuition.
Read our full Aquarius crystals guide or browse the Aquarius crystals collection.
Pisces Birthstone (February 19 to March 20)
Pisces birthdays fall in late February and most of March, so Pisces birthstones are amethyst for February and aquamarine or bloodstone for March. Aquamarine, a sea-blue beryl named for seawater, is a natural match for this dreamy water sign. Amethyst and moonstone complete the Pisces set for calm, dreams and intuition.
Read our full Pisces crystals guide or browse the Pisces crystals collection.
How to Choose Between Your Birthstones
Because most signs touch two months, it helps to have a simple way to decide. Here is the approach most people find easiest:
- Start with the birth month. If you know the exact birthday, the matching month birthstone is the most personal choice.
- Look at the zodiac crystals for the sign. These are usually more affordable and come in more shapes, like palm stones, hearts, spheres and towers.
- Think about how it will be used. A pocket stone or desk piece gets handled every day, so pick something durable.
- Trust the one you keep coming back to. A crystal someone loves is a crystal they will actually keep close.
For example, an October Libra might choose opal for the birth month, or go with rose quartz as an everyday Libra crystal. A February Pisces has an easy answer, since amethyst is both the February birthstone and a classic Pisces crystal. Learn more in our amethyst guide.
Zodiac Birthstones as Gifts
Birthday flowers wilt and the cake is gone by morning, but a crystal stays. A birthstone or zodiac crystal sits on a shelf or nightstand for years, and every time they notice it, they think of you. That is what makes it one of the most personal birthday gifts you can give.
Add a short handwritten note about what the stone means and why you chose it for their sign. If you are buying for a new baby, our article on crystals as birth gifts has more ideas. Want something that covers several signs at once? The Crystal Tower Bundle pairs amethyst, obsidian, labradorite and quartz, stones linked with Aquarius, Pisces, Scorpio and more.
Care and Cleansing
Birthstones and zodiac crystals vary a lot in hardness, so care depends on the stone:
- Opal: soft and contains water. Keep it out of hot sun, avoid soaking it and store it away from harder stones. Our opal and opalite guide covers the details.
- Turquoise: porous, so skip water, oils and perfume. See our turquoise guide.
- Amethyst and citrine: quartz is hard and fine for a quick rinse, but long sun exposure can fade the color.
- Garnet, aquamarine and emerald: fine with a soft cloth and quick rinse; emerald often has inclusions, so avoid ultrasonic cleaners. Read our garnet guide for more.
- Moonstone and pearl: softer, so wipe gently and store separately.
For energetic cleansing, moonlight, sound and smoke work for every stone on this list without any risk of damage.
Shop by Intention
A birthday is the start of a new year of life, which makes our New Beginnings crystals a lovely match for any sign. If the person you are shopping for is going through a big change, or simply wants a fresh start, those stones carry that meaning beautifully.
Zodiac Birthstones FAQ
What are the birthstones by zodiac sign?
Each sign has the month birthstones for the two months it spans, plus traditional zodiac crystals. For example, Aries has aquamarine, bloodstone and diamond, Leo has ruby, peridot, spinel and sardonyx, and Pisces has amethyst, aquamarine and bloodstone. The chart above lists every sign side by side.
What is the Libra birthstone?
Libra birthdays from September 23 to 30 use sapphire, the September birthstone. Libra birthdays from October 1 to 22 use opal or tourmaline, the October birthstones. As zodiac crystals, rose quartz, lapis lazuli and ametrine are the stones most often paired with Libra.
What is the Virgo birthstone?
Virgo birthdays in August use peridot, spinel or sardonyx, and Virgo birthdays in September use sapphire. Popular Virgo zodiac crystals include amazonite, amethyst and peridot, which tie into Virgo's practical, thoughtful nature. Peridot works both ways, as an August birthstone and a Virgo crystal.
What is the Taurus birthstone?
Taurus birthdays in April use diamond, and Taurus birthdays in May use emerald. Many people choose clear quartz as an affordable stand-in for diamond. For everyday Taurus zodiac crystals, rose quartz and green aventurine are favorites because they suit Venus-ruled Taurus and its love of comfort and beauty.
Are birthstones and zodiac stones the same thing?
No. Birthstones follow the calendar month and come from a jewelers' list first published in 1912. Zodiac stones follow the astrological sign and come from tradition, so lists vary by source. Some stones overlap, like amethyst for February and Aquarius or Pisces, but the two systems are separate.
Which zodiac birthstone makes the best gift?
The best gift is the stone that matches the birthday month or the sign the person identifies with most. If you are unsure, choose a zodiac crystal in a shape they can display, like a heart, sphere or tower. It costs less than a faceted gem and is kept for years.
Final Thoughts
Whether you choose a month birthstone, a zodiac crystal or one of each, the best stone is the one that feels personal. Start with the sign, look at the birth month, and pick the piece you would be happy to see every day.
Ready to find yours or someone else's? Explore every sign on our Shop by Zodiac Sign page.
Metaphysical properties are shared for spiritual and traditional interest only and are not medical advice. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition.
