Birthstones by Month: The UK List and Gifts That Fit

Birthstones by month in the UK start with garnet for January and end with tanzanite or turquoise for December. Several months have an alternative stone, so you can choose a gift that suits the person as well as their birthday. Here's the full UK list, followed by ideas that contain the named stones and honest options for the months that are harder to shop for.

Birthstones by month: the UK list

The UK birthstone list gives a choice for several months, including March, April, June, July, August, September, November and December. If you've seen a different answer on a card or website, check which list it follows before assuming either is wrong.

October is the one likely to cause a double take: tourmaline appears on the US list, while this UK list gives opal. For a gift, that distinction matters more than getting the wrapping paper to match the stone.

Why are birthstones different on different lists?

Birthstone lists differ because the UK and US use slightly different modern lists, and some months have more than one accepted stone. The modern UK list was set out by the National Association of Goldsmiths in 1937 and updated in 2013. It isn't a rule about which stone someone is allowed to wear.

So how do birthstones work as gifts? You match a stone to the recipient's birth month, then choose something they'd enjoy owning. You don't need to believe the stone has an effect on their life. If you like traditional crystal meanings, they can add a note to the card, but the colour, shape and person's taste are reason enough.

Gifts for the months with a stone you can find

Start with the stone, not a product that merely borrows its name. A candle called Moonstone may have a lovely scent, but that alone doesn't make it a moonstone gift. The picks below contain the relevant gemstone, with a few different ways to give it.

February: amethyst for the person with shelf space

The Amethyst Gemstone Tree on Natural Agate Base has 35 tumbled amethyst stones and a natural agate base. It's a decorative choice for someone who prefers objects to jewellery, and the base varies from tree to tree. Amethyst is traditionally associated with peace, though the purple stones make their own case for a spot on the desk.

March: bloodstone for the collector

Aquamarine isn't your only March option. The Small African Bloodstone Tumble Stone uses the UK alternative: dark green stone with red flecks that might appear as spots, stripes or barely at all. That variation is part of its appeal for someone who likes to pick up a stone and look closely. Choose it for a crystal collector rather than someone expecting a blue aquamarine pendant.

June: moonstone for a desk or bedside table

For someone unlikely to wear pearls, the Rainbow Moonstone Mineral Specimen on Metal Stand gives June's alternative a place of its own. It's a genuine mineral specimen mounted on a black metal stand, with soft white tones and darker inclusions. Natural markings vary, which suits a gift meant to be looked at rather than matched to an outfit.

July: carnelian for someone who already uses wax melts

The Carnelian Fire Spiced Orange Wax Melts contain real carnelian gemstone chips, revealed as the wax melts. The fragrance is spiced orange; the chips remain after the scent fades. It's a good July choice if the recipient has a wax burner. Without one, a melt is a rather indirect present.

September: lapis lazuli for the incense person

The Lapis Crystal Scents Smudge Incense in Musk pairs ten musk incense sticks with a small bag of natural lapis lazuli chipstones. September's alternative is there in the box, not just in the artwork. The earthy scent makes this one for a person who enjoys incense, rather than a safe guess for somebody whose tastes you don't know.

December: turquoise for someone who wears a bracelet

December's alternative appears in the Turquoise Cross Royal Beads Gemstone Bracelet, alongside tiger's eye and howlite beads. It has a stretch cord and a cross charm, so check that the charm suits the recipient before choosing it. A birthstone gift should still look like something they'd reach for on an ordinary Tuesday.

What about the months with precious gems?

For January, April, May, August, October and November, there's no need to force a birthstone purchase if you can't find one that feels right. The same goes for someone who specifically wants a diamond, pearl, ruby or sapphire rather than their month's alternative. A stone's name on a scent, a printed motif or a similarly coloured bead is not the gemstone itself.

If you're buying jewellery, decide first whether the recipient wants the named gem, an alternative from the UK list, or simply a colour they love. April's rock crystal, May's chrysoprase, August's sardonyx and November's citrine give you more names to look for, but don't substitute an unverified stone to make the calendar work. For October, ask whether they mean UK opal or the tourmaline they've seen on a US list.

Sometimes the better gift isn't birthstone-themed at all. Pair a card explaining their month's stone with a book, a framed photo or the meal you know they've been trying to arrange. It's their birthday, not a test on mineral names. If they're already keen on stones, our gift guide for crystal lovers starts with what they might enjoy collecting or displaying.

Quick checks before you wrap it

• Check the list. Use the UK alternatives in the chart if that's the version you mean, especially for October and December.
• Check the stone. A gemstone in the item is different from a gemstone-inspired scent or colour.
• Check the person. An incense fan, a jewellery wearer and a mineral collector want different things, even if they share a birthday month.
• Write one useful line. Naming the month and its stone on the card makes a small gift feel considered without giving a lecture.

For the incense and wax melt picks, use a suitable holder or burner on a heat-resistant surface, keep them away from flammable things, children and pets, and don't leave them burning unattended. Let melted wax cool before handling the gemstone chips.

Choosing yours

Use the UK chart to find the month, then decide whether the named stone or its alternative suits the person better. A genuine stone in a form they'll use beats a colour match they won't. You can browse our real gemstones for a place to start.