Crystals for Your Birthstone

Are you shopping around for birthstone crystals or gems? Do you simply want traditional birthstone jewelry, or are you interested in the metaphysical properties of the gems associated with your birth month?

When it comes to birthstones, most people tend to just think of the one traditional stone associated with each month – the one that is usually pictured side by side with the relevant month in gemstone tables. In actuality, there are a couple of alternative birthstones for each month.

It’s also important to understand the history of birthstones. In ancient times, civilizations put most of the focus on the color itself. But as we all know today, one gemstone or crystal can come in various shades. Also, some ancient peoples did not distinguish between stones such as ruby and red garnet.

To help you learn more about crystals for your birthstone, and what they symbolize, here is a list with a few details you might find handy:

January

Red garnet is the traditional birthstone most people associated with January. Do a search for “January birthstone” and all sorts of bright, red garnet jewelry pops up. However, garnet comes in a wide range of red, pink, brownish, and even green shades. Take Natural Orange Spessartine, for instance. This is a gorgeous shade of garnet that helps encourage one to take action towards their dreams.

As for symbolism, garnet is known for its harnessing of creative energy. It’s also a “sensual stone” as it symbolizes primordial fire. As for chakras, garnet is mostly associated with the root chakra, but can be used in the balancing of the solar plexus and sacral chakras as well.

Blue sapphire is another stone associated with January due to its connection with the Capricorn sign. In medieval times, sapphire in heavenly blue shades signified the height of faith and celestial hope, and was believed to bring spiritual insight and protection.

For Aquarians born in January, there is Sugilite , which can be used as a shield to protect the spirit, crown chakra, and heart chakra from negative energy and emotions.

February

The traditional birthstone of February is Amethyst, which is considered the “world’s most popular purple gemstone”. There is actually a shade of Amethyst that almost appears black, located in places like Uruguay. Black Amethyst is very, very sparkly and is known for its powerful grounding energies.

Amethyst is an excellent crystal to use for third-eye and crown chakra energy and healing work.

Another stone associated with Aquarius is the planetary stone for Uranus, which is Turquoise. This is a very ancient stone and has been worn from everyone from emperors to shamans. Wear a Turquoise pendant if you are suffering with self-doubt and inner turmoil, as it is known to be a “self-protection” stone that promotes spiritual tranquility.

Yellow Sapphire is one of the alternative birthstones for February that can give the owner success in business and good luck in general.

March

The modern birthstone for those born in March is Aquamarine. This pale blue – almost translucent – crystal has always been associated with the sea. For chakra healing, you can use Aquamarine to clear throat chakra and promote better communication and articulation. If you are experiencing any physical throat problems, use an Aquamarine crystal want or stone to aid in the healing process.

Bloodstone is an alternative stone for March – particularly for Pisces. It comes in shades of green and red, ranging from forest green with red speckles to blood red with dark green streaks. Since it comes in shades of red and green, Bloodstone can be used in healing for the lower chakras as well as the heart chakra. It is an essential stone for balancing the entire body.

April

Natural Diamonds are very rare and unique. For as long as humans have been on Earth, diamonds have been associated with wealth. This extremely hard stone has been referred to as “the stone of invincibility”, and can come in a wide range of colors including pink, yellow, blue, and even black.

To enhance psychic development and clairvoyance, lie back and place a diamond cluster around the third eye chakra and meditate.

Opal – particularly the fire variety - is a stone for those born under the Aries sign in April. Fire Opal symbolizes passion and ambition.

Those born near the end of April will find Rose Quartz to be a nice, helpful crystal. It’s a Taurus stone and is often used in crystal healing for the heart chakra to help with all matters of love, including familial, romantic, and friendship.

May

If you were born in May, consider yourself fortunate – Emerald is your main, modern gemstone. A perfect Emerald is considered to be one of the rarest stones on earth. Luckily, you don’t have to have a “perfect” Emerald stone to benefit from its healing and metaphysical properties, such as loyalty, beauty, romantic love, and good fortune.

Agate is an alternative birthstone for May. There are dozens of colors and patterns of this mineral, including the Fiery Red Australian Agate, Golden Swirl Agate, etc. It has a slower, less-intense frequency rate than many other stones, which makes it an excellent choice of stone for those who need more stability and strength.

June

If you were born in June, you have three beautiful gemstones, all of which are considered “official” birthstones: Alexandrite, Opal, and, Moonstones.

Alexandrite is a modern stone, as it was first discovered in 1830. Its crystal healing properties include regeneration, for the mind and the body, as well as enhancing the ability to enjoy life.

Opal (also a birthstone for October) is a good choice for those born in late June. It is known to be a reflective stone, so wear Opal jewelry or carry a stone around with you when you are in a good mood and want to continue experiencing positive vibes.

Moonstone has always been considered a highly magical stone associated with the moon and lunar energies. It represents “new beginnings” and helps you to overcome instability. While it’s often associated with feminine energies, it can also be beneficial to men who feel the need to open up more and express their feelings.

July

The traditional birthstone of July is Ruby, and a popular alternative is Carnelian.

Like Garnet, Ruby isn’t just available in red. There are different varieties and shades, like Star Ruby and Ruby Fuchsite, which is a lovely combination of the red Ruby crystals and mint green Fuchsite. The chakra it is most associated with is the base chakra, as it stimulates the flow of chi through the body. Use Ruby to help you unlock blockages and release your full potential.

Carnelian is a powerful, reddish-orange stone that is associated with the lower three chakras. It’s warm, vibrant and helpful in providing boosts to self-confidence. If you feel that you need protection from any kind of abuse, whether it stems from your own insecurities or someone else who is hateful towards you.

August

Peridot, Spinel, and Sardonyx are all considered to be birthstones for August.

Peridot is known for its light green glow, and is sometimes referred to as the stone of “positive vibes”. Wear Peridot jewelry to attract happiness and positivity, as its vibrations bring a sense of inner well-being. It’s also used to balance the third (solar plexus) and fourth (heart) chakras.

Spinel is a lesser-known red / pink stone that is sometimes mistaken for Rubies or Pink Sapphire. It’s the ideal stone for workaholics as it revitalizes and re-energizes. If you need an extra boost of energy to get through work, school, or any kind of project, Spinel will help you get through everything and will protect you from feeling overwhelmed.

Sardonyx is a variation of Onyx and has distinctive alternating bands of red, brown, gray, and white. It has the same properties as quartz. Wear it as a lucky talisman in matters relating to money, property, and legal matters. Sardonyx can also be used as a grounding stone for those who want to turn their energies into physical results.

September

The traditional birthstone for the 9^th month is Blue Sapphire. This classic dark blue gemstone is associated with the throat chakra and used to improve communication and self-expression. Its color and properties have a calming effect on the nervous system. Physically, it can help heal throat-related ailments such as thyroid disorder.

All other colors of Sapphire are alternative birthstones for September.

Another option is Agate, which comes in all varieties of swirly, warm colors, such as Pink Flower Agate, Blue Lace Agate, and the red / yellow / orange Scenic Condor Agate. As for healing and crystal energy work, the color plays a role. Blue Lace is ideal for the throat chakra, Flower Agate can be used in heart chakra healing, Purple Agate benefits the crown chakra, and so forth.

Those born during this month have Tourmaline and Opal as their birthstones. Since each of these stones come in a rainbow of colors, shades, and combinations, there is a wide variety of options.

Black Tourmaline is one of the most powerful grounding stones and Green Tourmaline is an ideal crystal for opening the heart chakra.

Watermelon Tourmaline can be used in any type of energy work, including meditation, crystal grids, gem elixir creation, and more.

We’ve already talked a bit about Opal for other months, but for October, there is the beautiful Ethiopian Opal as well as the traditional milky white Opal. Use the latter for stimulation of the crown chakra and to help clear your heart and emotions. Ethiopian Opal is believed to enhance inspiration and creativity, and to protect the wearer against negativity.

November

November is another special month with two widely-recognized official birthstones: Topaz and Citrine. Both of these come in yellow and blue hues. The lemony-yellow shade of Citrine is its most popular shade.

Topaz is highly effective for meditation, affirmations, and visualizations. The Faceted Blue Topaz stones have a unique energy for boosting psychic gifts and amplifying the psychic energies you already possess. Its yellow shade symbolizes the power of solar energy and brings joy and vitality.

Citrine is considered to be a manifestation crystal that can provide you with a boost of motivation whenever you need to take action. Golden Citrine is an excellent crystal for any kind of healing involving negative emotions, depression, stress, etc.

Essentially, this stone in general infuses the spirit with positive energy.

December

At last, we come to December. Those born near the end of the year have three birthstones, all in blue-ish / purplish / greenish hues: Tanzanite, Turquoise, and Zircon.

As we’ve already mentioned above, Turquoise is a stone associated with protection and spiritual tranquility. It’s a purification stone that dispels negative energy, and can be aligned with the crown chakra, third eye chakra, and throat chakra. Wearing a vibrant, genuine Arizona Turquoise pendant will help relieve stress.

There is dark blue and Violet Tanzanite, a mineral used for healing the third eye and crown chakras. It has a high vibration energy, which makes it an ideal crystal for those seeking a better connection with the higher realms.

Since it is often confused with synthetic cubic zirconia, Zircon is often underrated for its powerful energies. It is a true gemstone that is among the oldest on Earth. It comes in a variety of colors, although blue is the most popular. A Zircon Crystal can be used to balance out the virtuous aspects with an individual, by bringing down cosmic energies through the crown chakra into the other chakras.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you now have an idea of what traditional birthstone or alternative birthstones are associated with your birth month, or a loved one’s if you are looking to buy a gift.

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