Alternative Birthstones

Sapphire comes in many different colors, not just classic blue, as this set of 17 oval-cut sapphires demonstrates. It’s not just the September birthstone, either. If you’re a Taurus or named Paul, or if you were born in the 10 AM hour or on Thursday, you could make sapphire one of your alternative birthstones. 7.78 ctw, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.

Choose stones associated with zodiacal signs or months symbolic of angels. You can even forgo your birth month and pick a gem associated with the day of the week or hour of your birth.

Birthstones make popular personalized jewelry choices. For example, this pendant features the birthstones of family members. “Mother’s pendant…,” photo by gemteck1. Licensed under CC By 2.0.

Alternative Birthstones Based on the Signs of the Zodiac

In the 19th century, the term chrysolite referred to yellow-green chrysoberyl as well as peridot and prehnite gems. However, that name is no longer used. (Chrysoberyl, peridot, and prehnite are all distinct gem species).

This peridot, cut from a pallasite meteorite found in Indonesia, features some needle-like inclusions — crystals trapped within the gem — that have an iridescent flash. Portuguese oval-cut, 0.29 cts, 4.7 x 3.6 mm. © The Gem Trader. Used with permission.

Alternative Birthstones Associated with Guardian Angels

The ancient term carbuncle refers to any red gem. Historically, stones referred to as carbuncles were likely red garnets. Jacinth was either a transparent, reddish brown zircon or hessonite garnet.

Spessartite garnet, 13.49 cts, cut by AGTA Spectrum Award-Winner Mark Kaufman. Jos, Nigeria. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.

Alternative Birthstones Based on the Names of the Apostles

If you share a name with one of the twelve apostles, this list may interest you. During the Middle Ages, many scholars associated each apostle with a gemstone. (Judas was replaced by Paul, who wasn’t one of the original twelve). Not surprisingly, different writers made different connections. Below, you’ll find one such list. Note, these choices have no connection to date or time of birth.

Sardonyx is a variety of chalcedony with red and white layers.

Clock or watch key with bezel-set sardonyx cabochon. Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Brunk Auctions.

Alternative Birthstones Based on the Hour of Birth

A bracelet made from lapis lazuli beads. Jewelry and photo by Deomar Pandan, KamayoJewelry.com. Licensed under CC By-SA 4.0.

Alternative Birthstones Based on the Day of the Week of Birth

In this system, each day of the week offers at least two choices.

Rock crystal is colorless quartz.

14k yellow gold cat’s eye men’s ring with pavé set diamonds. Cabochon-cut chrysoberyl, 8.78 cts. Image courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Golden State Auction Gallery, Inc.

Alternative Birthstones Based on the Season of Birth

Perfect for those who really want to pick from the “Big Four” gemstones.

Round brilliant emerald, 6.20 cts, 1.2 x 1.1 x 0.8 cm, near Kenticha, Oromia, Ethiopia. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.

Birthstone Advice

Feeling overwhelmed by the options? Maybe this makes it easier to understand why superstitious attachments to gems gave way to a more scientific approach. You could just appreciate gemstones for their physical and optical properties or simply their beauty. Try this birthstone gemology quiz.

However, many people still feel a strong mystical connection to gems. If you do, surely in the lists above you can find a birthstone that corresponds to you and feels right. You and your choice will likely withstand this happy little arena of birthstone madness.

Birthstones on display at the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada. Photo by Bryce Edwards. Licensed under CC By 2.0.