Birthstones Complete Guide: Lab-Grown Gemstone Options for Every Month

What Are Birthstones?

Birthstones are gemstones traditionally associated with each month of the year, each carrying its own color, history, and symbolic meaning. The tradition dates back to ancient times, when gemstones were believed to hold protective and spiritual properties tied to the zodiac. Over centuries, this evolved into the modern practice of wearing a gemstone linked to your birth month.

Today, birthstones fall into two main categories: traditional and modern. Traditional birthstones reflect historical symbolism, while modern birthstones were introduced to align with contemporary styles and gemstone availability. In many cases, the traditional and modern lists overlap—but for certain months, they diverge entirely.

For example, March's traditional birthstone is bloodstone, but its modern birthstone is aquamarine. June has three: pearl (traditional and modern), moonstone (traditional), and alexandrite (modern). August spans peridot, spinel, and sardonyx depending on which list you follow.

Understanding these distinctions matters because it gives you more flexibility when choosing birthstone jewelry—and it opens the door to lab-grown alternatives that match any of these options.

Why Choose Lab-Grown Gemstones for Birthstone Jewelry?

Lab-grown gemstones are created in controlled laboratory environments using the same mineral compositions as their natural counterparts. The result: chemically, physically, and optically identical stones—without the environmental and ethical concerns of mining.

Here's why lab-grown birthstones have become a mainstream choice:

• Sustainable and traceable. Compared with mined gemstones, lab-grown stones have a smaller carbon footprint and result in less environmental impact. Many are produced using renewable energy and certified by independent bodies such as IGI and SCS-007.

• Accessible pricing. Lab-grown stones typically cost a fraction of their mined equivalents, making fine jewelry more attainable.

• Consistent color and clarity. Lab-grown gemstones can be produced in precise, reproducible colors—especially useful for birthstones where the "ideal" color varies widely in nature.

• Durability. Many lab-grown alternatives actually outperform their natural versions on the Mohs hardness scale, making them better suited for everyday wear.

In short, lab-grown birthstones give you the symbolic meaning and visual beauty of traditional stones, with modern advantages in ethics, price, and wearability.

Lab-Grown Birthstone Options by Month

January — Garnet

Color: Deep red (also available in orange, green, and purple)
Mohs Hardness: 6.5–7.5
Meaning: Protection and friendship

Garnet is January's birthstone across both traditional and modern lists. Its name comes from the Latin granatus, meaning “seed,” referencing its resemblance to pomegranate seeds.

Lab-Grown Option: A lab-grown reddish-brown moissanite can replicate the deep garnet color while offering superior hardness (9.25–9.5 on the Mohs scale) and the signature moissanite brilliance. Alternatively, lab-created red corundum delivers a vivid red that closely resembles natural garnet, with a Mohs hardness of 9.

February — Amethyst

Color: Purple
Mohs Hardness: 7
Meaning: Calm and balance

Amethyst is the birthstone for February in both traditional and modern charts. Its purple hue has symbolized royalty and spiritual clarity for thousands of years.

Lab-Grown Option: Light purple colored moissanite captures the serene lavender-to-violet tone of amethyst while adding exceptional sparkle and durability. For those who prefer a deeper, more saturated purple, lab-grown purple sapphire offers a regal alternative with a Mohs hardness of 9—making it more durable than natural amethyst.

March — Aquamarine (Modern) / Bloodstone (Traditional)

Color: Light blue (aquamarine) / Dark green with red flecks (bloodstone)
Mohs Hardness: 7.5–8 (aquamarine) / 6.5–7 (bloodstone)
Meaning: Tranquility and clarity

March has two birthstones depending on which tradition you follow. Aquamarine, the modern birthstone, evokes the calm of ocean water. Bloodstone, the traditional stone, is a deep green chalcedony flecked with red.

Lab-Grown Option: Chatham lab-grown aqua blue spinel is an excellent alternative to aquamarine, perfectly mimicking its serene light blue color while offering a Mohs hardness of 8 for everyday durability. For bloodstone, lab-grown green spinel or green-colored moissanite can capture the deep green tone.

April — Diamond

Color: Colorless to various hues
Mohs Hardness: 10
Meaning: Strength and everlasting love

April's birthstone is diamond—the hardest natural substance on Earth and a symbol of enduring commitment.

Lab-Grown Option: Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds. They share the same crystal structure and hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale. For a diamond alternative with even more fire, lab-created moissanite (Mohs 9.25–9.5) has a higher refractive index and dispersion than diamond, producing more rainbow-hued sparkle. Moissanite is the closest diamond alternative in appearance and durability, making it a popular choice for engagement rings and everyday jewelry alike.

May — Emerald

Color: Vivid green
Mohs Hardness: 7.5–8
Meaning: Renewal and growth

Emerald, May's birthstone, is one of the four most sought-after precious gems. Its rich green color has symbolized rebirth and wisdom since antiquity.

Lab-Grown Option: Lab-grown emeralds are produced in controlled environments that replicate the natural growth process. Hydrothermally grown emeralds and lab-created nano crystal emeralds deliver the classic deep green look with the same 7.5–8 hardness, at a fraction of the cost of mined emeralds. Emerald-green moissanite is another option, offering the iconic green hue with moissanite's superior brilliance and durability.

June — Pearl, Moonstone & Alexandrite

Color: White to cream (pearl/moonstone) / Green-to-red color change (alexandrite)
Mohs Hardness: 2.5–4.5 (pearl) / 6–6.5 (moonstone) / 8.5 (alexandrite)
Meaning: Purity, intuition, and transformation

June is unique: it has three birthstones. Pearl and moonstone represent the traditional and modern lists, while alexandrite is a modern addition known for its remarkable color-change phenomenon.

Lab-Grown Option: Lab-grown alexandrite is produced using the same mineral composition as natural alexandrite, replicating its green-to-red color change in controlled conditions. It has a Mohs hardness of 8.5, making it durable enough for engagement rings and everyday wear. Natural alexandrite is extremely rare—so lab-grown is often the only practical option for this stunning stone. For pearl and moonstone alternatives, lab-grown white opal and lab-created moonstone simulants offer similar visual effects with greater durability.

July — Ruby

Color: Bright red
Mohs Hardness: 9
Meaning: Passion and vitality

Ruby, July's birthstone, is a variety of corundum—the same mineral as sapphire—colored by chromium. It symbolizes love, passion, and courage.

Lab-Grown Option: Lab-grown rubies share the same chemical composition (aluminum oxide) and Mohs hardness of 9 as natural rubies. They offer the same vivid red color and exceptional durability at a more accessible price point. Lab-grown ruby is widely used in birthstone jewelry, from stud earrings to pendants.

August — Peridot, Spinel & Sardonyx

Color: Yellow-green (peridot) / Red, pink, blue, violet (spinel) / Reddish brown with white bands (sardonyx)
Mohs Hardness: 6.5–7 (peridot) / 8 (spinel) / 6.5–7 (sardonyx)
Meaning: Prosperity, energy, and courage

August offers three birthstones. Peridot is the modern birthstone, spinel was added more recently, and sardonyx is the traditional stone.

Lab-Grown Option: Light green colored moissanite replicates peridot's distinctive yellow-green hue while adding moissanite's superior sparkle and hardness. For spinel, lab-grown aqua blue spinel and other lab-created spinel varieties offer excellent durability (Mohs 8) and a range of colors. Lab-grown spinel is particularly effective for August birthdays because it can be produced in the exact red, pink, or blue tones that make natural spinel so prized.

September — Sapphire

Color: Deep blue
Mohs Hardness: 9
Meaning: Wisdom and sincerity

Sapphire is September's birthstone in both traditional and modern lists. While most famous for its blue hue, sapphire also occurs in pink, yellow, green, and padparadscha (a pinkish-orange).

Lab-Grown Option: Lab-grown blue sapphire offers the same deep blue color and Mohs hardness of 9 as natural sapphire. It's one of the most established lab-grown gemstones, widely available in calibrated sizes for birthstone jewelry. Lab-grown padparadscha sapphire is also available, offering a unique pinkish-orange tone with all of sapphire's strength and brilliance.

October — Opal & Tourmaline

Color: Multi-color play-of-light (opal) / Pink, green, or multi-colored (tourmaline)
Mohs Hardness: 5–6.5 (opal) / 7–7.5 (tourmaline)
Meaning: Creativity, hope, and compassion

October's birthstones are opal (traditional and modern) and tourmaline (modern). Opal is prized for its unique play-of-color, while tourmaline is known for its remarkable range of hues.

Lab-Grown Option: Lab-created opal captures the iridescent shimmer of natural opal while offering greater consistency and durability. Lab-grown opal is available in white, blue-green, and multi-color varieties. For tourmaline, light pink or green colored moissanite can replicate tourmaline's most popular birthstone colors—with significantly higher hardness and brilliance. Lab-grown paraíba YAG is another option, capturing tourmaline's signature tropical blue-green hue in a durable lab-grown material.

November — Topaz & Citrine

Color: Golden yellow (topaz) / Amber to yellow-orange (citrine)
Mohs Hardness: 7 (topaz/citrine) / 8 (lab-grown alternatives)
Meaning: Joy, abundance, and success

November's birthstones are topaz and citrine. Both share warm golden hues that evoke autumn light.

Lab-Grown Option: Champagne or golden-yellow colored moissanite is an excellent alternative to citrine and topaz, offering the same warm glow with far greater hardness and sparkle. Lab-grown yellow sapphire (Mohs 9) is another durable option for those who want the golden color with superior scratch resistance.

December — Turquoise, Tanzanite, Zircon & Blue Topaz

Color: Blue to green (turquoise) / Blue to violet (tanzanite) / Light blue (zircon/blue topaz)
Mohs Hardness: 5–6 (turquoise) / 6–7 (tanzanite) / 7.5 (zircon) / 8 (blue topaz)
Meaning: Healing, protection, and communication

December has the most birthstone options of any month: turquoise, tanzanite, zircon, and blue topaz. Each offers a distinct shade of blue or blue-green.

Lab-Grown Option: Cornflower blue colored moissanite is a stunning alternative to tanzanite, capturing its blue-to-violet hue with exceptional brilliance and a Mohs hardness of 9.25–9.5. For turquoise, lab-grown blue-green spinel or treated turquoise simulants can replicate the iconic robin's-egg blue with better durability.

Lab-Grown vs. Natural Birthstones: Quick Comparison

For a deeper comparison of specific materials—including how moissanite, lab-grown diamond, and lab-grown sapphire differ in hardness, refractive index, and dispersion—see our [Lab-Grown Gemstone Guide] (internal link placeholder).

How to Choose the Right Lab-Grown Birthstone

1. Decide between traditional and modern. If you prefer historical symbolism, go with the traditional stone. If you want a more vibrant or accessible option, the modern list often has better lab-grown availability.

2. Check the hardness. Stones below Mohs 7 require more careful wear. Lab-grown alternatives often exceed the hardness of their natural counterparts—moissanite at 9.25–9.5 and lab-grown sapphire/ruby at 9 are excellent for everyday jewelry.

3. Consider the setting. Birthstone studs, pendants, and rings are the most popular formats. For earrings, 5mm–6.5mm is a versatile everyday size; for pendants, 6mm–8mm offers more presence.

4. Choose a certified stone. Look for IGI or SCS-007 certification to ensure quality and traceability.

5. Match the metal. Gold-plated or 925 sterling silver settings pair well with colored gemstones. For a premium finish, consider 18K gold vermeil.

Care Tips for Lab-Grown Birthstone Jewelry

• Avoid water, perfume, and harsh chemicals. This is especially important for colored moissanite and lab-grown opals, which may have surface treatments.

• Wipe with a soft dry cloth after each wear to maintain brilliance.

• Store separately in a jewelry box or pouch to prevent scratches.

• Put jewelry on last when getting ready—after lotions and perfumes have dried.

• Avoid ultrasonic cleaners for colored stones and opals; stick to warm soapy water and a soft brush if needed.

FAQ

Are lab-grown birthstones real gemstones?
Yes. Lab-grown gemstones have the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and optical properties as their natural counterparts. They are not imitations or simulants—they are the same material, grown in a laboratory rather than mined from the earth.

Is moissanite a diamond?
No. Moissanite is silicon carbide, while diamond is carbon. However, moissanite has a higher refractive index and dispersion than diamond, producing more rainbow fire, and ranks 9.25–9.5 on the Mohs scale—second only to diamond among gemstones.

Can I wear lab-grown birthstone jewelry every day?
Yes, provided the stone has a Mohs hardness of 7 or higher. Moissanite, lab-grown sapphire, lab-grown ruby, lab-grown diamond, and lab-grown spinel are all excellent for daily wear. Softer stones like opal and pearl should be worn with more care.

Do lab-grown gemstones come with certificates?
Many do. Reputable sellers provide IGI certificates for lab-grown diamonds and other lab-grown gemstones. SCS-007 certification verifies sustainable production practices.

Which birthstone is the rarest?
Natural alexandrite (June) is considered one of the rarest birthstones, with high-quality stones found only in Russia, Brazil, and Sri Lanka. Lab-grown alexandrite offers the same color-change effect without the rarity premium.

Shop Lab-Grown Birthstone Jewelry

Ready to find your birthstone? Explore our collection of lab-grown moissanite birthstone earrings, pendants, and rings—available in every color of the birthstone spectrum.

[Shop Birthstone Jewelry →] (link placeholder)

Not sure which stone matches your birth month? Use our [Birthstone Color Chart] (link placeholder) to find your perfect match.

This guide is for informational purposes. Gemstone hardness and care recommendations are based on standard gemological references. Always follow the care instructions provided with your specific jewelry piece.