Birthstones are popular choices for personalizing jewelry. This pendant features the birthstones of family members. If you’re looking for alternative birthstone choices, read on for systems based on astrology, seasons, and even hours of birth! “Mother’s pendant…” by gemteck1 is licensed under CC By 2.0
The wearing of a birthstone is supposed to bring luck to its owner. But there are other stones which can be worn as special talismans, symbolic of angels, zodiacal signs and apostles.
For those individuals unhappy or unattracted to their own birthstone, a consideration can be given to one of these alternates.
Here are the gems for the Zodiacal signs:
| Zodiac Sign | Gem |
| Aquarius (Jan.21 -Feb. 21) | Garnet |
| Pisces (Feb.21 – Mar. 21) | Amethyst |
| Aries (Mar.21 – Apr. 20) | Bloodstone |
| Taurus (Apr.20 – May 21) | Sapphire |
| Gemini (May 21 -June 21) | Agate |
| Cancer (June 21 – July 22) | Emerald |
| Leo (July 22 – Aug. 22) | Onyx |
| Virgo (Aug. 22 – Sep. 22) | Carnelian |
| Libra (Sep. 22 – Oct. 23) | Chrysolite |
| Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov 21) | Beryl |
| Sagittarius (Nov. 21 – Dec. 21) | Topaz |
| Capricorn (Dec. 21 – Jan. 21) | Ruby |
Here are the gems for Guardian Angels:
| Month | Gem | Guardian Angel |
| January | Onyx | Gabriel |
| February | Jasper | Barchiel |
| March | Ruby | Malchediel |
| April | Topaz | Asmodel |
| May | Carbuncle | Ambriel |
| June | Emerald | Muriel |
| July | Sapphire | Herchel |
| August | Diamond | Humatiel |
| September | Jacinth | Zuriel |
| October | Agate | Barbiel |
| November | Amethyst | Adnachiel |
| December | Beryl | Humiel |
While the translations do not all agree, medieval writers made a determined effort to associate a gemstone with each of the apostles. Judas has been eliminated on most lists and substituted by St. Paul, who was not one of the original twelve.
This list is useful for men who may have a Christian name after one of the apostles. Here are the Apostles and their associated gems:
| Apostle | Gem |
| St. Peter | Jasper |
| St. Andrew | Garnet |
| St. James & John | Emerald |
| St. Philip | Carnelian |
| St. Bartholomew | Chrysolite |
| St. Thomas | Beryl |
| St. Matthew | Topaz |
| St. James | Sardonyx |
| St. Thaddeus | Chrysoprase |
| St. Simeon | Jacinth |
| St. Matthew | Amethyst |
| St. Paul | Sapphire |
Here are other lists for birthstones from which a selection may be made:
| Birthstones Based On The Hour of Birth | |||
| 1 AM | Smokey Quartz | 1 PM | Zircon |
| 2 | Hemalite | 2 | Emerald |
| 3 | Malachite | 3 | Beryl |
| 4 | Lapis-Lazuri | 4 | Topaz |
| 5 | Torquoise | 5 | Ruby |
| 6 | Tourmaline | 6 | Opal |
| 7 | Chrysolite | 7 | Sardonyx |
| 8 | Amethyst | 8 | Chalcedony |
| 9 | Kunzite | 9 | Jade |
| 10 | Sapphire | 10 | Jasper |
| 11 | Garnet | 11 | Lodestone |
| 12 | Diamond | 12 | Onyx |
| Birthstones Based on Week Day of your Birth | Day | Phenomenal Birthstone Based on Week Day of your Birth | |
| Topaz | SUNDAY | Sunstone | |
| Pearl, Rock Crystal | MONDAY | Moonstone | |
| Ruby, Emerald | TUESDAY | Star Sapphire | |
| Amethyst, Lodestone | WEDNESDAY | Star Ruby | |
| Sapphire, Carnelian | THURSDAY | Cat’s Eye | |
| Emerald, Cat’s Eye | FRIDAY | Alexandrite | |
| Turquoise, Diamond | SATURDAY | Labradorite | |
Finally, here are the birthstones for the Seasons:
| Spring | Emerald |
| Summer | Ruby |
| Autumn | Sapphire |
| Winter | Diamond |
Given such an imposing list – and a selection that will certainly fall somewhere for every individual on earth – it may be somewhat simpler to understand why the powerful superstitions attached to gemstones gave way to a more realistic, scientific acceptance.
Still, the mystical magical bond between gemstones and people is as strong as ever – and it can withstand this happy little arena of birthstone madness.
