12 Birthstone-Inspired Nails for Each Month of the Year
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Your birthday is the perfect excuse to debut nail art full of intention. Looking for an original, meaningful, and aesthetic way to honor your birth month? Birthstone-inspired nails are a fun trend to connect energy and personality. Each month has a gemstone associated with it, like emerald for May, sapphire for September, and more. While birthstones tend to come in jewelry form, like a necklace or bracelet, this new trend of birthstone-inspired nails is a creative way to incorporate them as well. Birthstones deliver symbolism, a distinctive color, and a unique vibe that reflects who you are, and now you can wear it in a nail design that combines beauty and mysticism.
But whether it’s your birthday or not, wearing a birthstone-inspired manicure is a thoughtful way to personalize your look. If you’re into astrology and horoscopes, it’s another way to play into honoring your birth month.
Throughout the centuries, these stones have been considered amulets of protection and symbols of power, love, healing, and fortune. Today, in addition to wearing them on necklaces and rings, they have become a source of inspiration for nail art, fusing creativity, spirituality, and style. Ahead, 12 nail ideas inspired by your birthstone, with designs full of power and flair. Whether your birthday is coming up or you simply want to wear a design with a special meaning, these are our 12 favorite, irresistible ideas for each month of the year.
Featured in this articleBest for January
CND Vinylux Longwear Red Nail Polish
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Best for February
Essie Nail Polish in Go Ginza
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Best for March
Essie Nail Polish in Find Me An Oasis
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Best for April
Essie Luxeffects Glitter Top Coat in Set in Stones
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Best for May
Essie Off Tropic
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January: Garnet
Garnet is a deep red stone that evokes passion, protection, and vitality. Ideal for those who start the year with renewed energy, we love it on almond-shaped short nails as a solid color or cat-eye finish. For some extra sparkle, add a layer of glitter to highlight its power and magnetism.
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CND Vinylux Longwear Red Nail Polish
February: Amethyst
With its purple hue, this gemstone represents spirituality, calm, and wisdom. On your nails, play with shades of purple, from lilac to plum. Pearly, marbled, galaxy, and smoky nail art give it a mystical aura.
Courtesy of brand
Essie Nail Polish in Go Ginza
March: Aquamarine
Its light, turquoise-like blue evokes the ocean, transmitting peace, mental clarity, and fluidity. If you were born in March, you can play with manicures featuring pastel shades, waves, light blue glitter, or iridescent foil for an aquatic effect.
Want a more daring design? Mermaid nails or seaside-inspired designs with holographic or glazed-donut finishes reflect the magic and freshness of your birthstone.
Courtesy of brand
Essie Nail Polish in Find Me An Oasis
April: Diamond
The coveted stone is a symbol of eternal love, strength, and light. For nails that shine bright like a diamond, choose a nude base with rhinestones, silver glitter, or chrome accents. These will be sure to sparkle in the sun.
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Essie Luxeffects Glitter Top Coat in Set in Stones
May: Emerald
This deep green stone represents rebirth, abundance, and youth. On your nails it will look sophisticated in a metallic finish or a cat-eye effect, and it pairs well with gold accents.
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Essie Off Tropic
June: Pearl
Opalescent and milky, the pearl symbolizes femininity, purity, and intuition. They’re unique for being the only gemstone created by living creatures (mollusks). For an elegant and subtle design, opt for ivory, milky pink, or nude shades with a pearlescent finish. It’s a gorgeous manicure idea for brides.
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Londontown Lakur Nail Polish in Pink Strawberry
July: Ruby
A gem that awakens passion and confidence, its vibrant red is the perfect ally for any glamorous look. For a daring, full-of-character look, you can place ruby-colored rhinestones along your nails for a modern French manicure.
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OPI Nail Lacquer Nail Polish Big Apple Red
August: Peridot
A vibrant lime green shade, this gemstone attracts emotional healing and prosperity. Ideal for cheerful designs with neon green backgrounds, you can opt for detailed designs, contrasting colors, botanical-inspired looks, or even gradient nails.
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Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish in Hard Drive Me Crazy
September: Sapphire
This deep blue is linked to intuition, wisdom, and truth. Wear it as an elegant design with midnight blue nails, star effects, chrome, or jewel-like accents.
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OPI Nail Lacquer Midnight Mantra
October: Opal
With its chameleon effect, this stone represents creativity and emotional protection. If you wear opal nails, your iridescent mani will change with the light. Similar to pearl nails, opal nails often have a translucent white base with glitter to simulate the stone’s color change.
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Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Unicorn Top Coat
November: Citrine
Both citrine and topaz are November’s birthstone, and they both have a dark orange hue to keep things easy. Known as the stone of abundance, citrine’s golden or amber tone radiates joy and success. Ideal for those who want a warm and luminous design, citrine nails look great with metallic touches or a tortoiseshell effect in yellow, mustard, or amber tones.
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Les Mains Hermès 79 Jaune Imperial
December: Tanzanite
This mystical gem ranges from blue to purple and conveys transformation, beauty, and wisdom. On your nails, iridescent tones or cat-eye nails in blue-violet give magnetism and depth, making your mani stand out.
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Londontown Nail Color in Wildberry Freeze
Wearing your birthstone on your nails is not only a creative way to celebrate your birthday month but also manifests qualities that inspire and strengthen you. Turn your manicure into more than just an afterthought by making each design a statement of personal style and energy.
Ready for your next manicure appointment? Choose your stone, get inspired, and wear your nails with power and purpose.
A version of this story originally appeared in Glamour Mexico.
