Aquarius Stones: Garnet, Amethyst, Labradorite and Aquarius Birthstones

Short answer: the traditional zodiac stone for Aquarius is garnet, according to the list published by the gem expert George F. Kunz in 1913. Modern crystal traditions commonly add amethyst and labradorite. Aquarius runs from about January 20 to February 18, so its two birthstones are garnet for January and amethyst for February, which neatly match the zodiac lists. Zodiac stones are a tradition rooted in astrology, not a property of the stones.

When is Aquarius?

Aquarius, Latin for "water-bearer", is the eleventh sign of the zodiac, named for the constellation Aquarius. Under the tropical zodiac used in Western astrology, the sun passes through Aquarius from about January 20 to February 18 or 19; the exact dates shift slightly from year to year. Despite its name, it is an air sign, along with Gemini and Libra, and a fixed sign. Its ruling planet in traditional astrology is Saturn, and in modern astrology Uranus, and its opposite sign is Leo. The water carrier was originally the god Enki, or Ea, to the ancient Sumerians and Babylonians; Greek myth later saw the figure as Ganymede.

What is the Aquarius zodiac stone?

Zodiac stones and birthstones are different lists. Birthstones follow the calendar month; zodiac stones follow the astrological sign. In his 1913 book The Curious Lore of Precious Stones, George Frederick Kunz gave a stone for each sign, and for Aquarius that stone is garnet.

Garnet is a group of related minerals best known in deep red but also found in orange, yellow, purple and vivid green, and even in stones that change color. Its name comes from the Latin for pomegranate. Garnets rate 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale and are rarely treated. Garnet is also the January birthstone, so January Aquarians have the same stone for sign and month.

Which stones are linked with Aquarius today?

Modern crystal shops and guides often name these stones for Aquarius:

Amethyst: the purple variety of quartz and the February birthstone. In crystal traditions it is associated with calm, clarity, intuition and spiritual awareness, and some lists pair it with Aquarius.
Labradorite: a gray feldspar that flashes blue, green and gold. In crystal traditions it is associated with intuition, change and protection, its shifting flash read as a symbol of transformation.
Garnet: the traditional stone.

These modern pairings vary from source to source. They are traditions and personal choices rather than a fixed rule.

What are the Aquarius birthstones?

Aquarius is unusual in that its birth-month stones line up with its zodiac stones:

Born January 20 to January 31: the January birthstone is garnet, also Aquarius's traditional zodiac stone.
Born February 1 to February 18: the February birthstone is amethyst, also a common modern Aquarius stone.

What do Aquarius stones mean in tradition?

Aquarius is an air sign pictured as a water-bearer, and its modern crystal picks lean toward stones read as symbols of insight and change: amethyst for clarity and labradorite for transformation. Garnet, the traditional stone, has a long history of its own; the January guide covers its lore.

These are traditions and beliefs. Astrology has been recognized as pseudoscientific since the 18th century, and there is no scientific evidence that zodiac signs or the stones linked with them affect personality or events. People enjoy zodiac stones as personal symbols and gifts.

How do people use Aquarius stones?

As jewelry: a garnet or amethyst ring, pendant or earrings makes a popular birthday gift.
As a desk or pocket stone: an amethyst tumble or a labradorite palm stone kept nearby as a personal reminder.
In meditation: as a focus object, as described in the meditation guide.
As a set: garnet with amethyst covers both of the sign's months.

How do you choose an Aquarius stone?

For a traditional choice, pick garnet, the Kunz zodiac stone and January birthstone.
For purple, pick amethyst, the February birthstone.
For flash, pick labradorite.
For jewelry worn daily, amethyst is 7 on the Mohs scale and garnet 6.5 to 7.5. Labradorite, at about 6 to 6.5 with cleavage, suits pendants and earrings better than rings.

How do you care for Aquarius stones?

Garnet: warm, soapy water and a soft brush; steam cleaning is not recommended.
Amethyst: warm, soapy water; keep it out of strong sunlight, which can fade some amethyst.
Labradorite: a soft cloth or mild soap and lukewarm water; avoid harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners and drops, since it can split along its cleavage.

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