Birthstones are gemstones that represent each month of the year. Many months have one designated birthstone, but some have two or more stones associated with them. In this article, we’ll take a look at which months of the year have multiple birthstone options.
An Overview of Birthstones
The tradition of birthstones dates back thousands of years. Ancient cultures believed that certain gemstones had magical powers and could bring good luck, healing, or protection to people born in a particular month. Over time, the list of birthstones has evolved, with some variations based on location and culture.
In 1912, the American National Association of Jewelers created a standardized list of modern birthstones for each month. This list was later adopted in 1952 by the Jewelry Industry Council of America. It designated a single birthstone for each month, with some exceptions that included two or three options. The traditional list is still widely used today:
| Month | Birthstone(s) |
|---|---|
| January | Garnet |
| February | Amethyst |
| March | Aquamarine |
| April | Diamond |
| May | Emerald |
| June | Pearl, Alexandrite |
| July | Ruby |
| August | Peridot |
| September | Sapphire |
| October | Opal, Tourmaline |
| November | Topaz, Citrine |
| December | Turquoise, Zircon, Tanzanite |
As you can see, some months like April and July only have one designated birthstone, while others have two or three options. But which months specifically can claim two different birthstones?
Months With Two Birthstones
After examining the modern birthstone chart, we find that there are exactly four months of the year that have two recognized birthstone options:
- June – Pearl, Alexandrite
- October – Opal, Tourmaline
- November – Topaz, Citrine
- December – Turquoise, Zircon
Let’s take a closer look at each of these months and the history and significance of their dual birthstones.
June – Pearl, Alexandrite
June has two very different birthstones: pearls and alexandrite. Pearls have long been associated with the month of June, purportedly because June’s full moon allowed for optimal pearl harvesting from oyster beds. They are organic gemstones formed inside oysters and symbolize purity, faith, and new beginnings.
Alexandrite, on the other hand, is a relatively new addition as a June birthstone. First discovered in Russia in the 1800s, alexandrite is a rare variety of chrysoberyl that changes color from green to red-purple under different lighting. Metaphysically, it is thought to strengthen intuition and inspire creativity.
October – Opal, Tourmaline
October has two birthstones with very different origins and properties. Opal has been the primary October birthstone for centuries and is associated with love, passion, and optimism. The kaleidoscopic play-of-color in opal represents hope and purity. Tourmaline joined opal as an October birthstone in 1952. It comes in virtually every color and is believed to inspire compassion, understanding, and serenity.
November – Topaz, Citrine
Golden-yellow topaz and citrine share the month of November. Topaz has long been tied to November, with lore claiming it could heal diseases of the mouth and stomach. Citrine was added in 1952 as it was less expensive than topaz but shared the same warm, golden hue. Both stones are linked with manifesting abundance and blessings.
December – Turquoise, Zircon
December’s dual birthstones, turquoise and zircon, create an interesting dichotomy. Turquoise has been prized since ancient times for its striking blue-green color and purported healing powers. The cabochon gemstone has decorated nobles and kings across many cultures. Zircon was adopted centuries later as a more affordable alternative to turquoise. The colorless variety became a popular diamond imitation.
Other Months With Additional Birthstones
While only four months have two designated birthstones, there are a few more months that sometimes lay claim to extra gemstones in various traditions:
- March – Bloodstone
- June – Moonstone
- August – Sardonyx
- November – Yellow Topaz
- December – Tanzanite
For example, some lists include bloodstone and moonstone as alternate March and June birthstones. August sometimes claims sardonyx, while yellow topaz and tanzanite may stand in for November and December. These extra stones provide more options connected by similar properties or colors.
Why Were Additional Birthstones Added?
The modern birthstone list we know today has evolved over thousands of years as gemstones became more readily available and cultural influences shifted. But why were secondary birthstones officially added in 1952? There are a few key reasons:
- New gemstone discoveries – Stones like alexandrite and tanzanite were only discovered within the last few centuries and were added once supplies increased.
- Affordability – Less expensive alternatives like citrine gave consumers more access to the birthstone tradition.
- Color options – Some months gained stones of a different hue, like purple alexandrite with June’s white pearls.
- Geographic considerations – Locally sourced stones like bloodstone were included for certain regions.
Overall, the additions expanded consumers’ choices while still maintaining the mystical appeal of birthstones. Having two or more options allowed people to select the stone most meaningful to them.
How to Choose Between Multiple Birthstones
So if your birthday falls in a month with two birthstone picks, how do you decide? Here are some factors to consider when selecting between multiple options:
- Color – Pick the stone whose color you are most drawn to or that complements your personal style.
- Meaning – Research the metaphysical properties or symbolic meanings that resonate with you.
- Availability – Consider factors like cost, rarity, or geographic source of each stone.
- Variety – Choose one stone for jewelry and another for a decorative object to enjoy both.
Alternating between the two birthstones by year or wearing them together in a paired jewelry suite are also great ways to reap the benefits of both your options. Whichever gemstones call to you, there are so many beautiful choices for months with multiple birthstone picks.
A Brief History of the Modern Birthstone List
Before diving into the months with two birthstones, let’s take a quick walk through the key developments that led to the standardized list we use today:
- Ancient times – Many cultures associated certain gemstones with astrological signs or calendar months. These varied greatly between civilizations.
- 15th century – Polish tradition assigned different stones to each month, some similar to modern associations.
- 1912 – The American National Association of Jewelers issued an official birthstone list, with multiple options for a few months.
- 1952 – The Jewelry Industry Council of America updated the list, keeping the 1912 stones and adding more.
- Modern – The 1912 and 1952 lists remain the standard, with a few occasional additions by other groups.
This evolution shows that while birthstones have long been a tradition, our specific associations today developed over centuries and reflect available gemstone resources. Next, let’s examine the key months that have two birthstone options.
Conclusion
In the end, months with two birthstones give people born during that time more choices to find a meaningful gemstone. For June, pearl and alexandrite offer classic and contemporary options. October, November, and December combine history and affordability with their pairings. While any birthstone is special, having more than one can allow you to honor family traditions, cultural heritage, or personal preference.
The multiplicity of birthstones also reminds us that transformations have always been a part of this tradition. As gemological knowledge expands and cultural perspectives shift, the possibilities continue to grow. Whether you’re drawn to a signature hue, a stone’s healing properties, or something more intangible, double birthstones simply give you more to explore and love.
