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Birthstones by Month and Zodiac Stones

What are the Birthstones and Zodiac Stones, and what do they mean?

Just when the Zodiac Signs were declared is unclear.  Some form of zodiac use preceded the Babylonians, though it was the Babylonians and Sumerians who developed the first comprehensive zodiac system.  An early Persian tablet located in the British Museum in London, actually list our modern zodiac signs. 

Early people believed in the magical properties of stones and it became common to associate precious and semiprecious stones with the zodiac signs. 

It was believed that the stones powers were stronger while that constellation was visible in the night sky.  Thus people believed that wearing the stone of your zodiac sign could strengthen the influences of those virtues and powers.  Eventually Birthstones evolved from this list. 

Though there are similarities to the two list, Birthstones are assigned to the month of birth, zodiac birthstones are assigned to the zodiac sign. 

Birthstones by Month

January Birthstone=Garnet

February Birthstone=Amethyst

March Birthstone=Aquamarine, Bloodstone

April Birthstone=Diamond

May Birthstone=Emerald, Agate

June Birthstone=Pearl, Moonstone, Alexandrite

July Birthstone=Ruby

August Birthstone=Peridot, Sardonyx, Carnelian

September Birthstone=Sapphire

October Birthstone=Opal

November Birthstone=Topaz, Citrine

December Birthstone=Turquoise, Zircon, Lapis Lazuli

 

 

Zodiac Stones:

Aquarius Birthstone: GARNET (Jan 20 to Feb 18) Alternates Aquamarine, Amethyst, or Bloodstone

Pisces Birthstone: AMETHYST (Feb 19 to Mar 20) Alternates Moonstone, Aquamarine, Bloodstone, Jade

Aries Birthstone: BLOODSTONE (Mar 21 to Apr 20) Alternates Diamond, Opal

Taurus Birthstone: SAPPHIRE (Apr 21 to May 20) Alternate Emerald

Gemini Birthstone: AGATE (May 21 to Jun 20) Alternates Alexandrite, Amethyst

Cancer Birthstone: EMERALD (Jun 21 to Jul 22) Alternates Pearl, Ruby, Moonstone

Leo Birthstone: ONYX (Jul 23 to Aug 23) Alternates Ruby, Peridot, Jade, Sardonyx, Diamond

Virgo Birthstone: CARNELIAN (Aug 24 to Sep 22) Alternates Sardonyx, Sapphire, Zircon, Agate

Libra Birthstone: CHRYSOLITE (PERIDOT) (Sep 23 to Oct 23) Alternates Sapphire, Opal, Jasper

Scorpio Birthstone: BERYL (AQUAMARINE) (Oct 24 to Nov 22) Alternates Opal, Topaz, Citrine, Pearl

Sagittarius Birthstone: TOPAZ (Nov 23 to Dec 20) Alternates Turquoise, Lapis, Onyx

Capricorn Birthstone: RUBY (Dec 21 to Jan 19) Alternates Amethyst, Garnet, Emerald

 

Learn about the Chinese Zodiac Animals here.

 

OakRocks has been in the rock and mineral business for 30 years. Though we do not carry precious or faceted gemstones we are happy to provide this information. You will find some of the semi-precious stones, such as Jaspers, Agates or Lapis Lazuli, in our store. Just type in the material you are looking for in the search box provided.