Birthstone Myth: Do All Months Have Two Gemstones?

You're shopping for a birthday gift, or maybe your own special piece, and you look up the birthstone. Suddenly you see two different gems listed for the same month. Pearl and alexandrite for June? Topaz and citrine for November? It's confusing. So, do all months have two birthstones? The short, direct answer is no, they don't.

Only some months have multiple official options. The confusion stems from two main lists: a "traditional" one and a "modern" one, plus some months that have gained extra stones over time. I've been working with gems for over a decade, and this is one of the most common mix-ups I see. People often think it's a strict rule, when it's more of a flexible, evolving tradition shaped by history, marketing, and gemology.

What You'll Find in This Guide

The Two Lists: Where the "Two Stones" Idea Started

Let's clear the air. There isn't one ancient, unchanging tablet dictating birthstones. The system we use is surprisingly modern.birthstones by month

The big moment came in 1912. The National Association of Jewelers (now Jewelers of America) met in Kansas City. Their goal? Standardize the birthstone list to reduce confusion and, frankly, to sell more jewelry. They published an official list. That's the list many call "traditional," but remember, it's only traditional relative to later changes.

Then, in 1952, the Jewelry Industry Council of America updated it. They added, changed, and provided alternatives for some months. This created the "modern" list. This is the core reason you see doubles. For example, the 1912 list said December's stone was lapis lazuli. The 1952 update replaced it with zircon and blue topaz. Tanzanite was added as a December option much later, in 2002.

Key Takeaway: The "two birthstones" concept largely comes from comparing the 1912 list with the updated 1952 (and later) lists. They are different versions of an official standard, not two separate, competing traditions.

A Month-by-Month Breakdown: Who Has One, Two, or Three

This is where a table helps cut through the noise. Here’s a clear look at the primary modern birthstones, their traditional counterparts, and which months truly have multiple official options.two birthstones per month

Month Modern Birthstone(s) Traditional / Alternative Stone(s) Number of Common Options
January Garnet Garnet One
February Amethyst Amethyst One
March Aquamarine Bloodstone Two
April Diamond Diamond One
May Emerald Emerald One
June Pearl, Alexandrite Moonstone Three
July Ruby Ruby One
August Peridot, Spinel Sardonyx Three
September Sapphire Sapphire One
October Opal, Tourmaline Opal Two
November Topaz, Citrine Topaz (Golden) Two
December Tanzanite, Zircon, Turquoise Lapis Lazuli Three (or Four)

Look at that. Months like January, February, April, May, July, and September essentially have one dominant stone. The idea of universal doubles is a myth.modern vs traditional birthstones

June and December are the outliers, each boasting three widely accepted options. August has peridot, spinel, and the older sardonyx. October and November have clear pairs. March is a quieter duo—aquamarine is the star, but bloodstone has its deep historical fans.

Why Some Months Ended Up With Multiple Birthstones

It wasn't random. There were specific, often practical, reasons.

1. Availability and Cost

The original 1912 list had some stones that were rare or expensive. Adding alternatives made birthstones accessible. Citrine (November) looks similar to some topaz but is far more affordable and abundant. Same idea with spinel (August)—it offers a brilliant red alternative to other pricier red gems.

2. Gemology Advances

We understand gems better now. For centuries, many red spinels were mistaken for rubies. Giving spinel its own spot in August corrects a historical wrong and celebrates a stunning gem in its own right. Tanzanite's discovery in 1967 was a huge deal—a uniquely vibrant blue stone found only in one place. Adding it to December in 2002 made sense.birthstones by month

3. Marketing and Desire for Choice

Let's be real. More options mean more sales opportunities. But it also reflects what people want. Not everyone loves the organic look of a pearl. Giving June babies the dramatic color-change of alexandrite or the mystical glow of moonstone offers personalization. It's a good thing.

A subtle mistake I often see: People think the "modern" stone is the "lesser" or "cheap" substitute. That's not always true. Alexandrite (June) is one of the rarest and most expensive gems on Earth. Choosing a modern stone isn't settling; sometimes you're upgrading to a more exclusive option.

How to Choose the "Right" Birthstone for You

So your month has options. How do you pick? Forget the idea of a "correct" one. Think like a gemologist or a seasoned jewelry lover.two birthstones per month

Consider your lifestyle first. Are you tough on jewelry? Opal (October) is soft and can crack; tourmaline is tougher. A turquoise (December) ring is more day-to-day durable than a tanzanite ring, which is better suited for pendants or earrings.

Budget is a real factor. A fine aquamarine (March) can be costly, but a nice piece of bloodstone is very accessible. Want a December blue? Zircon gives incredible sparkle for a fraction of tanzanite's price.

Color preference is king. Do you love the fiery orange of a November citrine, or do you prefer the icy blues and pinks of a topaz? For August, do you want the sharp lime green of peridot or the vibrant hot pink of a spinel? Your favorite color should guide you more than any list.

I had a client once, a December baby, who felt no connection to blue stones. She loved green. Instead of forcing tanzanite, we found a stunning green tourmaline (an October stone) and set it in a design with December's symbolic snowflake motifs. She wears it every day. That's the goal—a piece that means something to you.modern vs traditional birthstones

Your Birthstone Questions, Answered

Why does June have three birthstones?
June is a unique case with three official birthstones: pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone. This happened because the Jewelers of America added alexandrite as a modern alternative in the 1950s, and later, moonstone was also officially recognized as a June option. It reflects the desire for more variety and the availability of different stones to suit various tastes and budgets. Pearls are classic, alexandrite is rare and color-changing, and moonstone offers an ethereal glow.
If my month has two birthstones, how do I choose?
Look beyond the month. Consider your personal style, budget, and lifestyle. For a December birthday, do you prefer the vibrant, party-ready blue of tanzanite or the serene, timeless red of turquoise? Tanzanite is rarer and more expensive, while turquoise is often more affordable and durable. Think about the jewelry piece: a turquoise ring can handle daily wear better than a tanzanite one. Ultimately, the "right" stone is the one that resonates with you, not the list.birthstones by month
Are modern birthstones less authentic than traditional ones?
Not at all. Authenticity in birthstones is about personal meaning, not antiquity. The traditional list (like the 1912 one) was itself a modern creation for its time. Modern additions often account for factors the old list ignored: gemstone availability, ethical sourcing, and cost. A stone like spinel (August's modern alternative) was historically confused with ruby; recognizing it separately gives it deserved respect. Choosing a modern stone isn't a compromise; it's often a more informed and accessible choice.
Where did the idea of one birthstone per month come from?
The concept is ancient, loosely linked to the 12 stones in the Biblical breastplate of Aaron. However, the standardized monthly list we know is surprisingly modern. It was largely popularized by a marketing campaign by the Jewelers of America in 1912. They created an official list to standardize the jewelry industry and boost sales. So, the "tradition" is more about 20th-century commerce than ancient decree, which is why it has continued to evolve with additions like tanzanite for December in 2002.

The bottom line? No, not all months have two birthstones. The system is a living, practical guide, not a rigid rulebook. Some months have one iconic gem. Others have a beautiful menu of choices. Your birthstone is a starting point for a story about you—your taste, your style, your story. Don't get bogged down by what's "official." The best birthstone is the one you'll love wearing, whether it's the only one for your month or one of three.

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