Birthstones and Your Zodiac Sign

Each of the twelve star signs also known as Sun signs of the zodiac are associated with particular crystals and gemstones. Astrologers believe that the power of your zodiac birthstone can promote your positive characteristics and balance the negative aspects of your personality.

garnet ring

Wearing, carrying or sleeping near the birthstone linked with your star sign can enable you to pick up the vibrations associated with that constellation and help you contact deeper levels of consciousness within yourself.

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Birthstones and the Zodiac Constellations are associated with ruling planets and birth stones are also associated with months of the year, and so with the signs of the zodiac there is an overlap and some stones can be used for several months and others can appear in more than one zodiac sign. There are major birth stones and others with a influence which relate to various parts of the body known as affinities.

Aries (March 21 - April 19)

Ruling Planet: Mars
Aries Birthstones: Ruby and Diamond.
Affinities: Amethyst, Aquamarine, Aventurine, Bloodstone, Carnelian, Citrine, Fire Agate, Garnet, Jasper, Magnetite, Pink Tourmaline.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20)

Ruling Planet: Venus
Taurus Birthstones: Emerald and Topaz
Affinities: Agate, Aquamarine, Azurite, Lapis Lazuli, Carnelian, Crystal Quartz, Tiger's Eye, Rose Quartz, Sapphire

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)

Ruling Planet: Mercury
Gemini Birthstones: Tourmaline and Agate.
Affinities: Agate, Apophyllite, Calcite, Sapphire, Serpentine, Tiger's Eye, Topaz

Cancer (June 21 - July 22)

Ruling Planet: Moon
Cancer Birthstones: Moonstones and Pearl
Affinities: Amber, Aventurine, Carnelian, Calcite, Chalcedony, Emerald, Opal, Pink Tourmaline, Ruby

Leo (July 23 - Aug 22)

Ruling Planet: Sun
Leo Birthstones: Tiger's Eye and Ruby
Affinities: Amber, Carnelian, Garnet, Citrine, Emerald, Garnet, Crystal Quartz, Topaz, Turquoise

Virgo (Aug 23 - Sept 22)

Ruling Planet: Mercury
Virgo Birthstones: Peridot and Sardonyx
Affinities: Amazonite, Amber, Carnelian, Citrine, Garnet, Moonstone, Moss Agate, Sapphire, Sodalite

Libra (Sept 23 - Oct 22)

Ruling Planet: Venus
Libra Birthstones: Sapphire and Opal
Affinities: Apophyllite, Aquamarine, Aventurine, Emerald, Bloodstone, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Topaz

Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21)

Rulng Planet: Mars and Pluto
Scorpio Birthstones: Topaz and Malachite
Affinities: Aquammarine, Beryl, Garnet, Moonstone, Green Tourmaline, Obsidian, Ruby, Topaz, Turquoise,

Sagittarius (Nov 22 - Dec 21)

Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Sagittarius Birthstones: Topaz and Turquoise
Affinities: Amethyst, Blue Lace Agate, Chalcedony, Garnet, Goldsheen Obsidian, Labradorite, Sodalite, Lapis lazuli

Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19)

Ruling Planet: Saturn
Capricorn Birthstones: Jet and Onyx
Affinities: Amber, Azurite, Carnelian, Fluorite, Garnet, Labradorite, Peridot, Ruby, Crystal Quartz, Smokey Quartz

Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18)

Ruling Planet: Saturn and Uranus
Aquarius Birthstones: Aquamarine and Amethyst
Affinities: Amber, Angelite, Aquamarine, Blue Celestite, Fluorite, Labradorite, Magnetite, Moonstone

Pisces (Feb 19 - Mar 20)

Ruling Planet: Jupiter and Neptune
Pisces Birthstones: Moonstone and Amethyst
Affinities: Aquamarine, Beryl, Bloodstone, Blue Lace Agate, Calcite, Flourite, Labradorite, Turquopise

Birthstones and Your Zodiac Sign

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Zodiac Gemstones: An Alternative to Traditional Birthstones

I remember my first "real" jewelry. It was my thirteenth birthday, and my parents beamed with pride as they handed me the tiny gift box. "It's your birthstone," they said.

garnet necklace

I almost cried when I opened the box. "It's, it's--green." Why, oh why, couldn't I have been born in January or February, so I could have pretty garnet or amethyst earrings? I was doomed. I was certain that people would give me icky green jewelry for the rest of my life, and there was nothing I could do about it.

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Over the years I learned to be more gracious, and have also come to accept peridot as non-icky. In fact, many people adore peridot, and I've even been known to wear it a time or two. But I've also discovered an alternative: zodiac stones.

If you're shopping for a gift and want something a little different than traditional birthstone jewelry, you might want to choose a gemstone based on zodiac signs.

Capricorn, December 22-January 20--Ruby. Ruby symbolizes nurturing, spiritual wisdom, economic stability, and protection from distress. Rubies promote joy. When worn, rubies reduce sadness and negative thoughts, while strengthening willpower and confidence. When you wear rubies to bed, it is believed you will have a nightmare-free, restful sleep.

Aquarius, January 21-February 21--Garnet. Garnet symbolizes health, awareness, commitment, regeneration, order, and insight. It also symbolizes marital love and fidelity, making it the perfect jewel for an engagement or newlywed gift. Some believe that garnet enhances bodily strength, endurance, and vigor, so this stone is worn when you need extra energy. It is also said to relieve skin conditions, regulate the heart and blood, and offer protection against thieves.

Pisces, February 22-March 21--Amethyst. Amethyst symbolizes healing, peace, happiness, love, and intuition. Wearing amethyst is an invitation to happiness and love. In ancient times, people believed that amethyst gave you courage and protection against thieves. Some believe that sleeping with an amethyst under your pillow will ease insomnia.

Aries, March 22-April 20--Bloodstone. Bloodstone symbolizes courage, intense healing, renewal, strength, victory, and intuitive decision-making. Some believe that it instills wisdom and sensitivity in its wearer.

Taurus, April 21-May 21--Sapphire. Sapphire symbolizes joy, peace, beauty, intuition, prosperity, and fulfillment of dreams. Sapphire is love's guardian, and is used to promote fidelity. Sapphire is thought to banish fraud, and is used in litigation and legal matters.

Gemini, May 22-June 21--Agate. Agate symbolizes balancing physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual energies; perceptiveness, strength, inspiration, and awakening talents. Some believe that agate would cure insomnia, invite pleasant dreams, and relieve depression.

Cancer, June 22-July 22--Emerald. Emerald symbolizes love, domestic bliss, sensitivity, loyalty, memory, mental capacity, harmony, and focus. Its green color symbolizes fertility, and years ago midwives believed it would speed childbirth. Some believe that if you wish to bring a love into your life, you should buy an emerald, visualize your love, and wear the stone near your heart.

Leo, July 23-August 22--Onyx. Onyx symbolizes self-control, decision-making, and intuition. It's thought of as a protective stone, used for defense and protection. Onyx has been worn during battles and other conflicts, and for more practical occasions such as walking down a dark street at midnight. In ancient times people believed that dreaming of onyx meant you would have a happy marriage.

Virgo, August 23-September 22--Carnelian. Carnelian symbolizes precision, analytical capabilities, physical energy, verbal skill, peace, and spirituality. It is believed that wearing carnelian will clear your head and promote sharp thinking.

Libra, September 23-October 23--Peridot. Peridot symbolizes warmth, friendliness, understanding, openness in love and relationships, and regulation of cycles. Many wear peridot to bed to promote sleep by calming the nervous system. Some believe it is also helpful in calming anger and all negative emotions, as well as alleviating depression.

Scorpio, October 24-November 21--Aquamarine. Aquamarine symbolizes courage, purification, peace, intuition, self-expression, balance, and preparedness. In ancient times, aquamarine was the gem of sea goddesses. As a stone of protection, it has long been popular with fishermen and sailors. Because aquamarine is also associated with married love, and makes a perfect anniversary gift.

Sagittarius, November 23-December 21--Topaz. Topaz symbolizes intelligence, beauty, fidelity, and true friendship. The ancient Greeks believed that topaz gave the wearer strength. According to legend, topaz is a protective stone, protecting against disease, injury, sudden death, negative magic, intrigue, envy, and lunacy. Many people believe topaz can end sleepwalking and nightmares when worn to sleep. Some wear topaz to help with weight loss, arthritis, and the digestive system.

Zodiac Gemstones: An Alternative to Traditional Birthstones

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