Stones and star signs
Linking a stone to a star sign is an old tradition, and a pleasant thread to follow when choosing a gift. Here is where it comes from, and what it is worth.
Where the tradition comes from
Its origin lies in the breastplate of Aaron described in the Old Testament: twelve stones mounted on a breastplate, one for each tribe of Israel. Over the centuries these twelve stones were matched to the twelve months of the year, then to the twelve signs of the zodiac.
The move from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar in the sixteenth century shifted the dates and blurred the correspondences. The discovery of new stones added variants. That is why lists differ from one book to another: there is no official version.
The twelve correspondences
| Sign | Dates | Traditional stones |
|---|---|---|
| Aries | 21 March – 20 April | Carnelian, amethyst, haematite |
| Taurus | 21 April – 21 May | Turquoise, malachite, rose quartz |
| Gemini | 22 May – 21 June | Citrine, agate, tiger's eye |
| Cancer | 22 June – 23 July | Moonstone, mother-of-pearl, chalcedony |
| Leo | 24 July – 23 August | Citrine, amber, tiger's eye |
| Virgo | 24 August – 23 September | Amethyst, jasper, smoky quartz |
| Libra | 24 September – 23 October | Lapis lazuli, rose quartz, opal |
| Scorpio | 24 October – 22 November | Garnet, obsidian, malachite |
| Sagittarius | 23 November – 21 December | Turquoise, lapis lazuli, amethyst |
| Capricorn | 22 December – 20 January | Onyx, haematite, garnet |
| Aquarius | 21 January – 19 February | Amethyst, lapis lazuli, agate |
| Pisces | 20 February – 20 March | Amethyst, moonstone, mother-of-pearl |
And in Morocco?
The Moroccan tradition of stones does not follow the zodiac. It is protective, and is read in the shape as much as in the material: the hand of Fatima against the evil eye, red coral sewn onto a child's jewellery, and silver itself — held to be pure and protective — from which wedding jewellery was made rather than gold.
The triangle, the diamond shape and the eye you find engraved on our Berber pieces belong to that language. It is far older than European astrology, and far closer to what we sell.
Choosing without going wrong
Colour remains the best guide. Look at what the person already wears: if they wear only silver, do not give them gilt brass; if all their jewellery is blue, an orange carnelian will stay in the drawer.
The star sign gives an agreeable starting point. Colour gives a piece that will actually be worn.