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Birthstones

The Gem Zodiac

Based on Atomic Numbers

By Rab Wilkie (AstroCyclics.com)

Almost a century ago (1912) the Jewellers Of America re-invented 'birthstones'. Their new list was influenced by ancient tradition and custom but based mainly on supply and demand to improve business. So the notion that amethyst is February's stone and diamond is 'lucky' for people born in April is a commercial gimmick. One that is now so widespread that it has marginalised traditions, among which may be found some intuitive knowledge that tends to benefit the wearer of gems more than the seller. Yet traditions, whether Biblical, Roman, or Eastern, are confusingly varied and largely outdated, so here is a truly modern and universal list based on resonance between atoms and numbers.

Gems are composed of minerals, atoms make up each mineral, and each atom has a specific number of electrons that is the same as the number of protons in its nucleus, from the lightest atom, hydrogen (1) upward to lead (82) - once the heaviest metal known - to uranium (93) and beyond. This number, called the 'atomic number', is a distinguishing trait that allows us to identify each type of atom in the universe.

The correlation of atoms with zodiacal signs can therefore be assigned straighforwardly: hydrogen (1) resonates with the first sign Aries, helium (2) with the second sign Taurus, and so forth to magnesium (12) and the 12th sign Pisces. After which a new circuit begins with aluminum (13) begins with Aries (13-12=1).

Gems are comprised of at least two different kinds of atoms or 'chemical elements', so the number of a gem is the sum of their atomic numbers. For example, quartz is a compound of silicon (14) and oxygen (8) so the number of quartz is 22 (14+8) which resonates with Capricorn, the 10th sign of the zodiac, (22-12=10). The notable exception to the multiple-element rule is diamond because it is not a compound but made entirely of a single type of atom: carbon, with 6 electrons. Therefore diamond resonates with the sixth sign, Virgo.

Diamond crystals are similar to pure metals insofar as these are also composed of a single element. Gold, silver, and copper, for example, each consist only of gold (79), silver (47), and copper (29) atoms.

The following list matches gems with the signs of the zodiac according to number. Also included are semi-precious and 'ornamental stones' along with certain organic materials and metals, most of which are also used in jewelry.

The ASTROCYCLIC ZODIAC

Of Gems, Crystals, Stones, & Metals

Sign Top Gem Standard Other Stone/Organic Metal Alloy
Aries Alexandrite Garnet: Taafeite* - Aluminum Solder

Chrysoberyl almandine Scapolite:
Manganese (lead)


rhodolite marialite




pyrope



Taurus Sinhalite* Zircon Spodumene - IRON -





Tungsten
Gemini Emerald Beryl Rhodocrosite Obsidian TIN -




Variscite





Sodalite

Cancer Benitoite* Sphene Apatite* Chrysocolla Nickel Silver



Euclase Ivory! Zirconium (sterling)







Leo Aquamarine Fluorite: - Lapis COPPER


basic



Virgo Diamond Moonstone: Garnet: Turquoise Platinum Steel


orthoclase uvarovite Tourmaline: Zinc (stainless)


Tourmaline: Fluorite schorl Molybdenum Electrum


elbaite Diopside Pectolite





Pyrite





Pearl!

Libra Garnet: Tektite Kornerupine Amber! GOLD Bronze

grossular




Scorpio Tanzanite Periclase Prehnite Malachite MERCURY Steel




Azurite Barium
Sagittarius Ruby & Spinel: Idocrase Jade: Scandium Iron

Sapphire ruby
nephrite Rhodium (cast)


Topaz


Cupro-


Garnet:


nickel


andradite



Capricorn Quartz Quartz Moonstone: Jade: LEAD Pewter

amethyst chalcedony oligoclase jadeite Titanium

rock cryst al Scapolite: Serpentine Palladium



meionite Lazurite





Jet!

Aquarius Opal Andalusite Sillimanite* Rhodonite SILVER Brass





Bismuth





Vanadium
Pisces Peridot Garnet: Brazilianite Coral! Chromium Pewter


spessartine


(basic)
[*] Rare [!] Organic [GOLD] (capitalised) The seven ancient metals

NOTE: Each zodiacal sign 'begins' when the Sun passes into it, the date of entry varying by as much as one day. To ascertain whether your Sun is in one sign or the other, you would first need to know the time of your birth, and then to calculate your birth horoscope. But since three days either way may be regarded as a transitional or 'cuspal' period - influenced by both signs - calculation may be deemed unnecessary. Your 'birthstones' can be those of either or both signs, although the progressive or future-oriented choice would relate to the sign ahead.

Categories

Top Gem: usually a precious gem of the finest quality. Quartz for Capricorn may be considered an exception, although the best semi-precious amethyst and clearest rock crystal (e/g ball) can be highly valued.

Standard: gems of good quality that are often more available or affordable than a Top Gem.

Other: semi-precious gems or crystals.

Stone: ornamental stone sometimes used as jewelry.

Organic: mineral compounds derived from once living organisms.

Metal: mainly common metals which are pure elements and can used in jewelry. Capitalised names are the seven ancient planetary metals. From alchemical lore: Lead ~ Saturn, Tin ~ Jupiter, Iron ~ Mars, Copper ~ Venus, Mercury ~ Mercury, Silver ~ Moon, Gold ~ Sun.

Alloy: common mixtures of metal manufactured from two or more different metals.

NOTE: Not included in this tabulation are the many types of mineral crystals unsuitable for jewelry and of interest only to collectors.

Simplified List

Aries Alexandrite, Garnet (Almandine), Aluminum.
Taurus Zircon, Iron.
Gemini Emerald, Obsidian, Tin.
Cancer Sphene, Ivory, Nickel, (Sterling Silver).
Leo Aquamarine, Fluorite, Lapis Lazuli, Copper.
Virgo Diamond, Moonstone, Tourmaline, Turquoise, Pearl, Platinum, Zinc.
Libra Garnet (Grossular), Tektite, Amber, Gold.
Scorpio Tanzanite, Malachite, Mercury, (Steel).
Sagittarius Ruby & Sapphire, Topaz, Spinel, Garnet (Andradite), Scandium.
Capricorn Quartz, Jade, Jet, Lead, Titanium.
Aquarius Opal, Silver, (Brass).
Pisces Peridot, Coral, Chromium.

Gemstone Varieties

adventurine Quartz
agate Quartz
alexandrite Chrysoberyl
almandine Garnet
amazonite Feldspar (orthoclase)
amethyst Quartz
andradite Garnet
aquamarine Beryl
bloodstone Quartz
carnelian Quartz
chalcedony Quartz
chryspoprase Quartz
citrine Quartz
cympophane Chrysoberyl
emerald Beryl
galaxite Spinel
gahnite Spinel
goshenite Beryl
grossulite Garnet
heliodor Beryl
hercynite Spinel
hessonite Garnet - grossular
hiddenite Spodumene
jasper Quartz
kunzite Quartz
lapis Felspathoid
lazurite Felspathoid
marcasite Pyrite
marionite Scapolite
meionite Scapolite
microcline Feldspar - orthoclase
moldavite Tektite
moonstone Feldspar - orthoclase, oligoclase
morganite Beryl
olivine Peridot
onyx Quartz
peristerite Feldspar - oligoclase
pyrope Garnet
rhodolite Garnet
rock crystal Quartz
ruby Corundum
sapphire Corundum
sard Quartz
sardonyx Quartz
sodalite Felspathoid
spessartine Garnet
sunstone Feldspar
tanzanite Zoisite
tiger's eye Quartz
tsavorite Garnet� - grossular
uvarovite Garnet

 

Crystal Family 
Crystal
Chemical Formula
Values
Number
Z#

Diamond C 6 6 1-6

Sinhalite Mg Al B O4 12 13 5 8 38 3-2
Corundum



ruby Al2 O3 13 8 21 1-9

sapphire Al2 O3 13 8 21 1-9
Spinel
 

ruby Mg Al2 O4 12 13 8 33 2-9

gahnite Zn Al O4 30 21 51 4-3

hercynite Fe Al O4 26 21 47 3-11

galaxite Mn Al O4 25 21 46 3-10

Chrysoberyl Be Al2 O4 4 21 25 2-1

Turquoise Cu Al6 (PO4)4 (OH)8.4H2O 29 13 15 8 1 66 5-6

faustite Zn Al6/.. +5H20 30 67 5-8

Variscite (Al,Fe) PO4.2H20 13,26 15 8 1 63 5-3

Tektite (SiO)(AlO)(FeO)Mg,Na,KO 14 8 13 26 12 11 19 103 8-7
Tourmaline



schorl NaFe3 B3 Al3(Al3Si6O27)(OH)4 11 26 5 (35) 1 78 6-6

dravite NaMg3/B3.. 11 12 5 (35) 1 64 5-4

uvite CaMg3/B3..+(O,OH)4 20 12 5 (35)1 73 6-1

elbaite Na(Al,Fe,Li,Mg)3 B3/..+(O,OH,F)4 11 26 3 12 5 (35) 1 9 102 8-6

Topaz (Al2Si)4 (F,OH)2 13 14 9 8 1 45 6-9

Quartz Si O2 #22 22 1-10

Opal Si O2.nH2O #22 1 23 1-11

Zircon Zr Si O4 40 14 8 62 5-2

Chrysocolla Cu2 H2 Si2 O5 (OH)4 29 1 #22 52 4-4

Benitoite Ba Ti Si3 O9 56 22 #22 100 8-4

Rhodonite Mn Si O3 25 #22 47 3-11

Peridot (Mg,Fe)2 Si O4 12 26 #22 60 4-12

Sphene Ca Ti Si O5 20 22 #22 64 5-4

Serpentine Mg3 Si2 O5 (OH)4 12 #22 34 2-10

Nephrite Ca2 (Mg,Fe)5 Si8� O22(OH)2 20 12 26 #22 1 81 6-9

Obsidian Al(Fe,K,Na,Ca,Mg) Si O10 13 26 19 11 20 12 #22 123 10-3

Andalusite Al2 Si O4 #35 35 2-11

Spodumene Li Al Si2 O6 3� #35 38 3-2
Zoisite
 

�tanzanite Ca2 Al3 Si3 O12 (OH) 20� #35 1 56 4-8

Beryl Be3 Al2 Si6 O18 4� #35 39 3-3

�emerald Be3 (Al,Cr) Si6 O18 4� 24 #35 63 5-3

�aquamarine Be3 (Al,Fe) Si6 O18 4� 26 #35 65 5-5
Garnet
 

�pyrope Mg3 Al2 Si3 O12 12 #35 37 3-1

�rhodolite (Mg,Fe)3 Al2 Si3 O12 12,26 #35 73 6-1

�almandine Fe3 Al2 Si3 O12 26 #35 61 5-1

�spessartine Mn3 Al2 Si3 O12 25 #35 60 4-12

�andradite Ca3 Fe2 Al2 Si3 O12 20 26 #35 81 6-9

�grossular Ca3 Al2 Si3 O12 20 #35 55 4-7

�uvarovite Ca3 Cr2 Si3 O12 20 24 #22 66 5-6
Feldspar
 

�moons orth K Al Si3 O8 19 #35 54 4-6

�moons olig Na Al Si3 O8 11 #35 46 3-10

Jadeite Na Al Si2 O6 11 #35 46 3-10

Iolite (Mg,Fe)2 Mg2 Al4 Si5 O18 12 26 #35 73 6-1
Scapolite
 

�meionite Ca4Al3 (Al,Si)3 Si6 O24(Cl,CO3,SO4) 20 #35 17 6 16 94 7-10

�marionite Na4/Al3.. 11 #35 17 6 16 85 7-1
Felspathoid
 

�sodalite Na4 Al3 (SiO4)3 Cl 11 #35 17 63 5-3

�lazurite (Na,Ca)8 (Al,Si)12 O24 (S,SO)4 11,20 #35 16 82 6-10

�lapis laz sodalite + lazurite + pyrite #63 20 16 26 125 10-5

Azurite Cu3(CO3)2 (OH)2 29 6 8 1 44 3-8

Malachite Cu2 CO3 (OH)2 29 6 8 1 44 3-8

Fluorite Ca F2 [+Y,Ce] 20 9 [39 58] 126 10-6

Hematite Fe2 O3 26 8 34 2-10

Magnetite Fe3 O4 26 8 34 2-10

Pyrite Fe S2 26 16 42 3-6

Rhodocrosite Mn C O3 25 6 8 39 3-3

 

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