By the Real Gems team · Updated 20 October 2026
Birthstones are a simple idea. Each month of the year has a gem, and a stone for your birth month makes a personal gift. The list most jewellers use today was agreed in the early twentieth century and has been adjusted a few times since. It is a modern custom, separate from the astrological stones chosen by a jotshi or a family elder, which follow planets and birth charts rather than calendar months.
Below is each month with its English and Urdu names, and a note on what we carry.
January: Garnet (Sang-e-Seemaq)
Deep red, warm and affordable. Most garnets are a dark wine red, though the family also includes orange and green varieties. At 7 to 7.5 in hardness it is a sensible ring stone. See our garnet collection.
February: Amethyst (Jamunia)
Purple quartz, from pale lilac to deep grape. Amethyst is hardness 7, widely available and good value even in larger sizes. Keep it out of strong sunlight for long periods, as some stones can fade. Browse amethyst.
March: Aquamarine and Bloodstone
Aquamarine, sold in Pakistan simply as Aqua Marine, is the sea-blue beryl. Pakistan's northern mountains are known for producing fine aquamarine crystals. The older alternative for March is bloodstone, Sang-e-Yashab Khooni, a dark green chalcedony with red spots. We carry both: aquamarine and bloodstone.
April: Diamond (Heera)
April's stone is diamond. We do not sell diamonds. For a clear, bright stone in the same spirit, people often choose white topaz or the rock crystal known as Dur-e-Najaf. These are not substitutes in value, simply clear natural stones that many people enjoy.
May: Emerald (Zamurd)
The green of beryl coloured by chromium or vanadium. Emeralds almost always contain inclusions, and most are treated with oil or resin to improve clarity. That is normal and should be disclosed. Pakistan's Swat valley is one of the world's known emerald sources. See emerald.
June: Pearl (Moti) and Moonstone (Chandrakant)
June has two stones. Pearls are organic and soft, so they suit pendants and earrings. Moonstone is a feldspar with a soft blue or white glow that seems to float across the surface. Look at pearl and moonstone.
July: Ruby (Yaqoot)
Red corundum, hardness 9 and among the most valued gems in the world. Colour is everything: a strong, pure red commands the highest prices. Our guide to red stones explains how ruby differs from garnet, coral and red agate. Browse ruby.
August: Peridot (Zabarjad)
A fresh olive to lime green. Peridot is one of the few gems that comes in only one colour family. Some of the finest peridot of recent decades has come from high in the mountains of northern Pakistan. It is 6.5 to 7 in hardness, so a protective setting helps. See peridot.
September: Sapphire (Neelam)
Blue sapphire is the classic September stone, though sapphire comes in many colours. It is hardness 9 and ideal for daily rings. Our Neelam buying guide covers colour and treatment. Browse blue sapphire.
October: Opal and Tourmaline
Opal shows flashes of colour called play-of-colour. Tourmaline comes in almost every colour, often pink or green. Read our opal comparison before buying. See opal and tourmaline.
November: Topaz and Citrine (Sunela)
Golden topaz and citrine are the November pair. Both are often sold in markets as Pukhraj, which causes confusion. Our Pukhraj guide explains the differences. Browse topaz and citrine.
December: Turquoise (Feroza), Tanzanite and Blue Topaz
December has the widest choice. Feroza is the sky-blue stone long loved across Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Tanzanite is a violet-blue gem found in one small area of Tanzania. Blue topaz is the bright, affordable option. See turquoise, tanzanite and blue topaz.
Quick reference
| Month | English | Urdu name |
|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Sang-e-Seemaq |
| February | Amethyst | Jamunia |
| March | Aquamarine, Bloodstone | Aqua Marine, Sang-e-Yashab Khooni |
| April | Diamond | Heera |
| May | Emerald | Zamurd |
| June | Pearl, Moonstone | Moti, Chandrakant |
| July | Ruby | Yaqoot |
| August | Peridot | Zabarjad |
| September | Sapphire | Neelam |
| October | Opal, Tourmaline | Opal, Tourmaline |
| November | Topaz, Citrine | Topaz, Sunela |
| December | Turquoise, Tanzanite, Blue Topaz | Feroza, Tanzanite, Neela Topaz |
When a month has more than one stone
Several months offer a choice, and there is no rule about which is "correct". Pick by colour, budget and how the piece will be worn. A March baby might get a pale aquamarine pendant now and a bloodstone ring later. Mixing a birthstone with a family's own favourite stone is a lovely idea too.
Gift tips
- For a ring worn daily, prefer stones of hardness 7 or more.
- For softer stones such as pearl, opal and turquoise, think pendant or earrings.
- Delivery is free on orders of Rs. 15,000 or more. See delivery for timings.
Quick questions
Is a birthstone the same as an astrological stone?+
No. Birthstones follow calendar months and are a modern jewellery custom. Astrological stones in South Asian tradition are chosen from a birth chart and the planets, usually by an astrologer. The two lists sometimes overlap but often do not.
Do you sell diamonds for April?+
We do not sell diamonds. Many people born in April enjoy a clear natural stone instead, such as white topaz or Dur-e-Najaf rock crystal. These are different gems with their own character and prices, not diamond equivalents.
Which birthstones are best for a daily ring?+
Sapphire and ruby, at hardness 9, are the toughest choices. Topaz, garnet, amethyst, citrine and aquamarine also wear well. Pearl, opal and turquoise are softer and happier in pendants, earrings or rings worn with care.