Meet Our Better Mine-Free Birthstones

What Is My Birthstone?

It’s a longstanding tradition to associate different gemstones to each birth month, and who hasn’t wondered “What is my birthstone?” (and perhaps, “Do I even like it?”) Birthstones can be a fun and meaningful building block of beautiful custom jewelry, and we’ve created many pieces of jewelry with birthstones incorporated into the design. But I couldn’t help but wonder if the traditional birthstone chart by month could be improved upon. Growing up, my sister’s birthstone was diamond (you lucky April babies!) but mine was topaz, whose orangey color I did not at all appreciate at the time. Not to mention, I knew it was far less precious! (Sorry, Grandma! I wear that pendant ALL the time now! xo)

At Taylor Custom Rings, we champion lab-created diamonds and gems, but not all of the traditional birthstones can be created without mining. These shortcomings made me think that there was definitely room for a new and improved birthstone chart! A couple of years in the making, our upgraded birthstone chart by month includes all mine-free gemstones that are more beautiful and durable and will hold up better over time than their original birthstone counterparts. Many of the birthstones are the same as the originals, just lab-grown instead of mined from the Earth, leaving a better impact. The colors are similar to previous birthstone charts, but we have taken some artistic liberties to enhance their beauty and help them coordinate more seamlessly with each other. The result is an upgraded answer to the question “What is my birthstone?”—a birthstone chart that is primed for stacking, layering, mixing, and matching. The dainty pieces you’ll find in our brand new birthstone collection lend themselves to all those activities, as well!

Birthstone Chart By Month

Here to answer the question, “What is my birthstone?” is our new and improved birthstone chart! Find your birth month below to see your birthstone! We partner with created gemstone industry leader Chatham to source our birthstones–and they happen to be local to us, as well! It is good to note that regardless of quality, colored gemstones can vary a bit in color. We do our best to accurately portray the color of gemstones, but exact color and saturation can vary based on gem characteristics, lighting and photography. Most notably, some gemstones have lower saturation in smaller sizes. If you ever have any concerns about the color of a gemstone, please just reach out! Now let’s chart your birthstone by month!

January - Padparadscha

Padparadscha has a pinkish hue with orange undertones. Prized for its rare and beautiful color, the name Padparadscha comes from the Sinhalese word for the aquatic lotus blossom of the same color. Padparadscha sapphires have been traditionally mined in Sri Lanka, but ours have all the same properties and beauty without the impact of mining. Upgraded from January’s traditional garnet birthstone, this gem boasts a hardness of 9 on Mohs scale, compared to garnet’s softer 6.5-7.5. This means that not only is the color more sought-after, but the gemstone will be much more resistant to scratches that could dull its shine. You may have seen Padparadscha in our beloved cluster ring. Padparadscha is often associated with energy, creativity, and health.

February - Purple Sapphire

Like a field of flowers or a lavender sky, February’s answer to “What is my birthstone?” makes you catch your breath. Purple sapphire replaces amethyst as February’s birthstone, preserving the birthstone’s distinct purple color, and at the same time improving the hardness from 7 to 9 on Mohs scale–a meaningful upgrade for a piece of jewelry meant to last. This gem features a gorgeous purple color traditionally associated with wisdom, love, and royalty. It also has spiritual meaning in Hindu astrology, believed to contribute to inner peace and enlightenment.

March - Aqua Spinel

Aqua spinel is a created gemstone that is as calm as a gentle morning sky. Though lesser known, it shares its cool, pastel blue color with March’s traditional birthstone–aquamarine. With a similar hue and improved hardness and origins, aqua spinel is an ideal choice for the birthstone of this early Spring month. Embuing new beginnings with a calm and creative energy, March babies are in good hands with aqua spinel.

April - Diamond

Crystal clear and reflective like a pure drop of rain or an icicle on a sunny day, April’s birthstone is still the envy of all others. “What is my birthstone?” just isn’t asked as often by those born in April–they already know. Diamonds are famous for being the hardest gemstone (10 on Mohs scale) and possessing a sparkle superior to any other gem. Now that diamonds can be reliably created instead of mined, it’s hard to say who is the bigger winner–you or the Earth. Lab-grown diamonds are identical to mined diamonds, so with all the same physical, chemical, and optical properties, you can enjoy your birthstone’s unmatched brilliance. Diamonds symbolize strength, clarity, and eternal love.

May - Emerald

The classic emerald holds her place in our birthstone chart by month–the only difference is that ours is mine-free! As verdant as a lush forest paradise, Emerald is a precious gemstone with a timeless allure, and its color is deep, rich, and captivating. Many cultures have held this gemstone in high esteem throughout the centuries–Cleopatra was known to love emeralds, and many have linked them to Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. To this day, the green emerald is thought to hold love, truth, and rebirth. See more emeralds in our Adelaide and Lucy bands. This gemstone tends to keep its intense saturation even in smaller sizes.

June - Alexandrite

Also a traditional gemstone of June, alexandrite is a stunning color-changing gem that can appear purple, green, or blue in different lights. It’s a visual reminder of balance and transformation, and has long been thought to bring clarity and luck to those who wear it. Alexandrite is rare in nature, and highly valued for that reason, along with its desirable and unique properties. To the question, “What is my birthstone?” June babies have a very lucky answer in alexandrite. An alexandrite ring can feel like a grown-up version of a mood ring with its chameleon-like qualities and luxuriant beauty. Our Toi et Moi Bypass Ring also comes in Alexandrite.

July - Ruby

Treasured since ancient times, rubies are a precious gemstone with a vibrant pinkish-red to blood red color. They are a type of corundum (like sapphires) and share their impressive hardness (9 on Mohs scale), making them ideal for jewelry. In ancient India, rubies were considered the “king of the precious stones” and were traditionally thought to offer protection. They also symbolize passion, power, and love. In addition to being July’s birthstone, rubies are traditional gifts for 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.

August - Chrysoberyl

When asking, “What is my birthstone?” August babies have historically had polarized feelings about the answer. While the bright yellowish-green of peridot is endearing to a few, we elected to soften and enhance this month’s gemstone with a more universally-flattering bluish-green toned chrysoberyl that is reminiscent of a tropical sea. Long carried as a good luck charm, chrysoberyl is prized for its stunning color and impressive hardness (8.5 on Mohs scale) and symbolizes tranquility, creativity, and success. While it appears more pastel in smaller sizes, it can be quite saturated in larger pieces like our Ava Ring.

September - Blue Sapphire

This most classic color of sapphire evokes sunlight filtering into a deep, clear ocean or the azure of a transitional sky. Blue sapphire is both traditional and mine-free in our birthstone chart by month. One of the most well-known and best-loved gemstones, blue sapphire represents wisdom, loyalty, and truth, and is thought to enhance mental clarity. It has long been associated with royalty, and in modern times graced the hand of the Duchess of Cambridge. This most classic color of sapphire evokes sunlight filtering into a deep, clear ocean. It tends to keep its royal blue saturation, even in smaller sizes.

October - Peachy-Pink Sapphire

Those born in October have long asked, “What is my birthstone?” with a bit of trepidation. Opal certainly has a unique look, but its softness makes it a hard sell for frequently-worn jewelry, especially rings. We decided instead to riff off of pink tourmaline with a sweeter, more durable peachy-pink sapphire. This has been one of the most popular gemstones with our customers over the years, and it’s easy to see why. This gem is more saturated in larger sizes (like in our bestselling Charlotte), and softer in smaller stones. Like a spring blossom or a blushing pink cloud, our created peachy-pink sapphire has an unyielding charm. Unsurprisingly, it is linked to romance, compassion, and joy.

November - Golden Sapphire

Like our favorite time of day at the beach–Golden Hour–this gemstone is all romantic nostalgia and flattering light. Golden sapphires are extremely rare in nature and purportedly exude a radiant energy that deepens self expression and brings deep understanding. From a jeweler’s perspective on the birthstone chart by month, golden sapphires are a solid upgrade from traditional topaz because of their greater durability and luster. Their golden color blends effortlessly with yellow gold for a gorgeous monochromatic look.

December - Paraiba

Similar to October babies, those born in December may have had trouble finding a satisfying answer to the simple question “What is my birthstone?” Turquoise and tanzanite are certainly too soft for many fine jewelry purposes, and zircon isn’t much better. To keep in the same blue genre, but improve on both color and hardness, we selected a gorgeous created paraiba spinel for December’s upgraded birthstone. Evoking wisdom, creativity, and serenity, the magnetic greenish-blue of this gem is irresistible.

So now when you hear anyone ask, “What is my birthstone?” you can answer with confidence and clarity, and maybe even give someone a welcome surprise.

Meet the New Mine-Free Birthstone Jewelry

To introduce the mine-free birthstone chart into your daily look, we’ve launched four designs in all of the gemstones in our birthstone chart by month. You may recognize a couple of our most popular designs, and there are some fresh new surprises, as well!

The Birthstone Florence Ring

Our Florence has been adored for her scalloped silhouette, milgrain details, and potential for stacking with almost anything. Now, no matter the answer to “What is my birthstone?” you can introduce pops of color that represent you, your partner, your child, or another loved one.

The Birthstone Poppy Necklace

The Poppy Necklace is a favorite at Taylor Custom Rings. Now the center stone can be your birthstone! Dainty, floral, and practically perfect in every way, Poppy might have just become even more giftable!

The Birthstone Baguette Earrings

Our Birthstone Baguette Earrings are modern and versatile, and can be worn as a minimalist earring, or a pop of color in a second piercing. The vertical facets of the baguettes go beautifully with the birthstone colors.

The Birthstone Tiny Trillion Necklace

A brand new design, the Tiny Trillion Necklace features a dainty birthstone in a trillion, or curved triangle shape. Nuanced and truly special, this piece stands alone or layers beautifully with our other necklaces.

Celebrating You and Yours

We hope you’ve found a better answer to the question, “What is my birthstone?” and join us in celebrating you and the ones you love through this fun medium. Enjoy our own updated twist, and if you have any questions about our new pieces or want to customize a different design with a birthstone, don’t hesitate to stop by our showroom or reach out to our helpful team of experts. We’re always here to help you love better.