The short answer: every month has a birthstone, and several make beautiful engagement rings, including sapphire, ruby, aquamarine, diamond and spinel, while softer options such as pearl and opal need extra care. You can use a birthstone to make a ring personal.
Choosing a birthstone for an engagement ring adds a meaningful detail. This guide lists options by month and how well they suit a ring. Traditional lists vary a little by source, and some months have more than one stone.
Birthstones by month
| Month | Stone | Ring suitability |
|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Good |
| February | Amethyst | Good with care |
| March | Aquamarine | Good |
| April | Diamond | Excellent |
| May | Emerald | Needs care |
| June | Pearl, alexandrite or moonstone | Needs a lot of care |
| July | Ruby | Excellent |
| August | Peridot or spinel | Spinel is excellent |
| September | Sapphire | Excellent |
| October | Opal or tourmaline | Tourmaline is good |
| November | Topaz or citrine | Good with care |
| December | Tanzanite, turquoise or zircon | Needs care |
Making it personal
- Use the birthstone as the centre stone.
- Use it as side stones next to a diamond.
- Hide it in the setting or on the inside of the band.
When a month has more than one stone
Many months list two or three stones, which gives you room to choose. If one option is soft, such as pearl or opal, a harder alternative from the same month may suit daily wear better, for example alexandrite or moonstone for June, or tourmaline for October. You can also choose the one whose colour you like most, since the traditional lists are a guide rather than a rule. Tell us the month and how you will wear the ring, and we will explain what each option is like to live with.
A stone for each of you
Many couples use two birthstones, one for each partner, in a two stone or three stone ring. The two stones sit either side of a diamond, or side by side as a toi et moi design. It is a simple way to make the ring about both of you, and the stones can be chosen to work well together in colour.
Other ways to use a birthstone
A birthstone does not have to be the star. Small stones can line the inside of the band, sit under the centre stone as a hidden halo, or appear as a single accent on the shoulder. A wedding band can carry a row of birthstones for each member of a growing family, added over the years. These details keep the ring practical, because the most exposed stone stays a hard one, while the personal touch stays close to you.
Choosing for durability
If the birthstone is soft, consider a protective setting, or use it as an accent and keep a harder stone as the centre. Lab grown options exist for some stones, such as sapphire, ruby and emerald. See our hardness chart and guide to cleavage and chips for how each stone wears.
How to choose
- Pick the month that matters, your partner's, yours or the day you met.
- Check how the stone wears.
- Choose a setting to match.
Ask us about sapphires, rubies, emeralds and aquamarine, or browse diamonds and lab grown fancy colour diamonds. Nothing is made until you approve the design in writing, and our standard making time is 5 to 6 weeks, which can vary with your location and how busy we are. Pieces start from £600.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to use my own birthstone? No, you can use your partner's, a shared date or a meaningful month.
What if the birthstone is soft? Use it as an accent or choose a protective setting.
Can you source any gemstone? We can discuss what is available when you get in touch.
Can I include two birthstones? Yes, in a two stone or three stone design.