April 20 – May 20 · Earth

Taurus birthstones

Taurus carries Emerald and Sapphire in the zodiac tradition.

Emerald

Composition Beryllium aluminium silicate (Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈) coloured by chromium or vanadium
Hardness · System 7.5–8 · Hexagonal

Almost every emerald contains internal fractures — the trade calls them jardin, "garden". A flawless emerald is more suspicious than impressive.

Traditionally linked to loyalty, growth and honest speech.

Sapphire

Composition Aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) — corundum coloured by iron and titanium
Hardness · System 9 · Trigonal

Padparadscha — a pink-orange sapphire named after the lotus flower — is the rarest colour and outprices most blues.

Traditionally associated with judgement, focus and keeping a promise.

Sign or month?

Taurus runs April 20 – May 20, which crosses two calendar months — so the zodiac stone and the monthly birthstone may or may not agree depending on your exact date. Neither system overrules the other; the zodiac one is simply older.

Compare against the monthly chart →

← All zodiac birthstones