Birthstone Pendant Necklaces: A Month-by-Month Guide

A birthstone pendant is one of the most personal gifts you can give: a stone chosen for the month someone was born, worn close every day. This guide covers the birthstones we set in solid gold pendants, what to know about each stone, and how to choose the cut, the setting and the gold color.

Birthstones by month

• March: aquamarine. A clear, cool sea blue.
• April: diamond. The classic white sparkle.
• May: emerald. A rich, deep green.
• July: ruby. A bold, warm red.
• September: sapphire. The traditional deep blue.
• November: citrine (and topaz). A warm golden yellow.
• December: blue topaz (with tanzanite and turquoise). A bright, crisp blue.

March: aquamarine pendants

Aquamarine is a member of the beryl family, the same family as emerald, and it's prized for its calm blue color and clean, glassy clarity. With a hardness of 7.5 to 8, it holds up well in a pendant worn every day. An emerald cut, with its long step-cut facets, shows off aquamarine's clarity like a clear pool of water.

Our natural aquamarine pendants are bezel set in 14K solid gold: a 2.00 carat emerald cut from about $397, a larger 2.75 carat emerald cut and a 2.00 carat square cut.

April: diamond pendants

Diamond is the hardest gemstone, so it's the most durable birthstone of all. For a large, clean-looking stone at a lower price than a mined diamond, consider an IGI certified lab grown diamond bezel pendant, from about $999 for 2 carats. Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds with the same chemistry and hardness as mined ones. For more sparkle for the budget, an emerald cut moissanite pendant starts at about $339.

May: emerald pendants

Natural emerald is valued for its deep green color, and most emeralds have small natural inclusions, often called "jardin" (French for garden). Emerald is a little more brittle than sapphire or ruby, so a protective bezel setting and a little care go a long way. Our natural emerald cross pendant is set with 2.50 carats of emerald cut natural emeralds, with a certificate included. It makes a meaningful gift for a May birthday, baptism or confirmation.

July: ruby pendants

Ruby is the red variety of corundum, the same mineral as sapphire, and at a hardness of 9 it's tough enough for everyday wear. Our 3.00 carat pear shaped ruby solitaire pendant is set in 14K gold from about $599. This ruby is a filled ruby: its natural fractures have been filled to improve its clarity and color, which gives a large, vivid red stone at an accessible price. Filled rubies need gentle care: no ultrasonic cleaners, steam or harsh chemicals. To learn more, read our ruby jewelry guide.

September: sapphire pendants

Sapphire is also corundum, as hard and durable as ruby, and blue is its most famous color. A sapphire paired with white diamonds is a classic combination. Our heart pendant with natural diamonds and blue sapphires is set in 14K white gold, with a certificate included and a choice of a 16 or 18 inch chain. We also offer a princess and round cut lab grown diamond and sapphire pendant. See our sapphire guide for more on the stone.

November: citrine pendants

Citrine is the golden yellow variety of quartz, with a hardness of 7. Its sunny color looks warm in yellow gold and bright against white gold. Our natural citrine and diamond double halo pendant has a 2.00 carat cushion cut citrine surrounded by two halos of natural diamonds, 2.50 carats in total, in 14K white, yellow or rose gold, with a 16 or 18 inch chain.

December: blue topaz pendants

Blue topaz is bright, clear and very affordable, and with a hardness of 8 it's durable enough to wear every day. Our natural blue topaz bezel pendant has a 2.00 carat emerald cut stone in 14K solid gold, from about $199. It's an easy, meaningful gift for a December birthday.

How to choose a birthstone pendant

• Setting: a bezel setting wraps the stone in a rim of gold. It's sleek, modern and protects the edges of the stone, a good choice for everyday wear. A halo of small diamonds makes the center stone look larger and adds sparkle.
• Cut: emerald and square cuts have long, clean step facets that show off a stone's color and clarity. Pear, heart and cushion shapes are softer and more romantic.
• Gold color: yellow gold warms up red, green and golden stones. White gold makes blue stones such as aquamarine, topaz and sapphire look crisp and icy. Rose gold gives a soft, modern look with any color.
• Size: a 2 carat stone is a noticeable but easy-to-wear everyday size. Larger stones make more of a statement.

Caring for a gemstone pendant

Clean your pendant with warm water, mild soap and a soft brush, then dry it with a soft cloth. Put it on after lotion and perfume, and take it off for swimming and the gym. Store it separately so harder stones don't scratch softer ones. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners for emerald and filled ruby.

Shop birthstone pendants

See every style in our pendants and necklaces collection. Each piece is handcrafted in Los Angeles. Looking for a stone or month not listed here? Call us at 310-486-8838 or email knrinc@att.net.