Birthstones

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This guide is a reference work based upon research by the author.

Birthstones

Ancient customs that dates back to India & Babylonia circa 3000 BC had for centuries assigned specific gemstones to zodiacal signs & to the spirits that were supposed to govern each of the 12 astrological months. Powers were attributed to the gems based upon their colors. No matter how the gems were assigned, they were supposed to bring good luck for their wearer.

From these ancient traditions, the practice of assigning ‘birthstones’ to the months or to zodiac signs rose. However, over time, gemstones were associated with the months rather than the zodiac signs.

In 1912, the first standardized 12 gem birthstones list was issued by the National Association of Jewelers (today known as Jewelers of America). In 1952, the Jewelry Industry Council established what we know today the modern birthstone list. 

The list continues to evolve, as more popular gemstones are added as alternatives for their less well-known cousins. In 2003, tanzanite was added as an alternative gem for December.

Birthstones Guide

Jan / Capricorn

Color: Dark Red                                    Official Birthstone: Garnet

Mystical Birthstone: Emerald                Traditional Birthstone: Garnet

Alternatives: Ruby, Turquoise, Jet, Black Onyx, Clear Quartz, Black Tourmaline

Synthetic / Imitation: Garnet

Swarovski Crystal: Garnet (241)

Swarovski Pearls: Crystal Burgundy Pearl (001 301)

Feb / Aquarius

Color: Purple                                       Official Birthstone: Amethyst

Mystical Birthstone: Bloodstone            Traditional Birthstone: Amethyst

Alternatives: Garnet, Turquoise, Onyx, Ruby, Jade, Ulexite, Sapphire, Lapis Lazuli

Synthetic / Imitation: Amethyst

Swarovski Crystal: Amethyst (204)

Swarovski Pearls: Crystal Mauve Pearl (001 160)

Mar / Pisces

Color: Pale Blue                                   Official Birthstone: Aquamarine

Mystical Birthstone: Jade                    Traditional Birthstone: Bloodstone, Jasper

Alternatives: Amethyst, Turquoise, Pearl, Rose Quartz, Calcite

Synthetic / Imitation: Aquamarine

Swarovski Crystal: Aquamarine (202)

Swarovski Pearls: Crystal Tahitian-look Pearl (001 297)

Apr / Aries

Color: White (transparent)                   Official Birthstone: Diamond

Mystical Birthstone: Opal                     Traditional Birthstone: Diamond, Sapphire

Alternatives: Ruby, Carnelian, Jasper, Aquamarine, Coral, Bloodstone, Hematite

Synthetic / Imitation: White Spinel

Swarovski Crystal: Crystal (001)

Swarovski Pearls: NA

May / Taurus

Color: Bright Green                               Official Birthstone: Emerald

Mystical Birthstone: Sapphire               Traditional Birthstone: Emerald, Agate

Alternatives: Rose Quartz, Tourmaline, Tigers Eye, Topaz, Lapis Lazuli, Azurite, Carnelian

Synthetic / Imitation: Emerald

Swarovski Crystal: Emerald (205)

Swarovski Pearls: Crystal Powder Green Pearl (001 393)

Jun / Gemini

Color: Cream                                       Official Birthstone: Pearl

Mystical Birthstone: Moonstone            Traditional Birthstone: Alexandrite, Emerald

Alternatives: Citrine, Tigers Eye, Agate, Emerald, Aquamarine, Calcite

Synthetic / Imitation: Alexandrite

Swarovski Crystal: Light Amethyst (212)

Swarovski Pearls: Crystal Mauve Pearl (001 160)

Jul / Cancer

Color: Red                                           Official Birthstone: Ruby

Mystical Birthstone: Ruby                     Traditional Birthstone: Ruby, Onyx

Alternatives: Emerald, Chrysoprase, Amber, Green Aventurine Quartz

Synthetic / Imitation: Ruby

Swarovski Crystal: Ruby (501)

Swarovski Pearls: Crystal Burgundy Pearl (001 301)

Aug / Leo

Color: Pale Green                                 Official Birthstone: Peridot

Mystical Birthstone: Diamond               Traditional Birthstone: Carnelian, Sardonyx

Alternatives: Clear Quartz, Onyx, Turquoise, Sunstone, Cat’s Eye, Amber

Synthetic / Imitation: Peridot

Swarovski Crystal: Peridot (214)

Swarovski Pearls: Crystal Light Green Pearl (001 293)

Sep / Virgo

Color: Deep Blue                                  Official Birthstone: Sapphire

Mystical Birthstone: Agate                   Traditional Birthstone: Sapphire, Peridot

Alternatives: Carnelian, Sodalite, Rutile Quartz, Citrine, Rhodocrosite

Synthetic / Imitation: Blue Spinel

Swarovski Crystal: Sapphire (206)

Swarovski Pearls: Crystal Night Blue Pearl (001 818)

Oct / Libra

Color: Variegated                                 Official Birthstone: Opal

Mystical Birthstone: Jasper                  Traditional Birthstone: Tourmaline

Alternatives: Peridot, Topaz, Lapis Lazuli, Aventurine, Jade, Agate, Citrine

Synthetic / Imitation: Rose Sapphire

Swarovski Crystal: Rose (209)

Swarovski Pearls: Crystal Powder Rose Pearl (001 352)

Nov / Scorpio

Color: Yellow                                      Official Birthstone: Topaz

Mystical Birthstone: Pearl                    Traditional Birthstone: Citrine, Topaz

Alternatives: Aquamarine, Dark Opal, Obsidian, Smoky Quartz, Carnelian

Synthetic / Imitation: Golden Topaz

Swarovski Crystal: Topaz (203)

Swarovski Pearls: Crystal Copper Pearl (001 159)

Dec / Sagittarius

Color: Sky Blue                                    Official Birthstone: Turquoise

Mystical Birthstone: Onyx                     Traditional Birthstone: Zircon, Ruby

Alternatives: Blue Topaz, Garnet, Amethyst, Malachite, Flint, Blue Lace Agate, Tanzanite

Synthetic / Imitation: Blue Zircon

Swarovski Crystal: Turquoise (267), Tanzanite (539)

Swarovski Pearls: NA