Let's start from the beginning. it depends on what this woman or girl means to you. Is she your daughter or other relative? How about your buddy? More than a buddy, one of your best friends? Or is she the love of your life? How about that totally awkward time when you really like her, but it's way too soon to be giving gifts that are too romantic? Is it a birthday or maybe your girl is feeling a little overwhelmed or frustrated.

If the idea of giving a birthstone is too common, or maybe even too expensive, think about giving alternative beads or crystals instead. There's so many gemstones, beads and crystals that no matter where you are in your relationship, you can always find a gorgeous and meaningful stone to convey your message.

Here's one idea - if you really want to impress her and let her know you actually put some thought into the process, just try this: Let her know what her birthstone means and then give her a different, unique stone that has a similar meaning. You might want to give her a beautiful Swarovski crystal of a similar color as her birthstone. Swarovski crystals are known world-wide for their unsurpassed variety and brilliance so they are a wonderful and unique alternative. You might not know her birthday, so you might want to think about something else that is going on in her life, for instance, maybe you just want to wish her good luck or give her some postive thoughts.

Whatever point you are at or whatever the relationship of the woman is, there is always a stone or jewel that is appropriate to give. Below is a birthstone table if you know or if you can find out what month she iwas born. (Come on, it's not that hard to find out what month she was born). Then, after the birthstone table is a chart listing each month, their corresponding gemstone and the color, the Meaning of the stone, the Alternative Gemstone and finally the Alternative Color.

The Alternative Gemstone is where you can give her a more unique stone that has the same meaning as the birthstone. For instance, referring to the chart below, you could say, "I know your birthday stone is emerald and an emerald means friendship. I wanted to give you a malachite bracelet to show what a good friend you are to me." According to the chart, malachite also means friendship.

The Alternative crystal is based on the birthstone's color rather than the meaning. So you could say, "I know your birthstone is emerald,and I wanted to give you this beautiful green crystal." There are pictures next to the description to help give you an idea for Alternative crystals.

Remember, it doesn't always have to be jewelry. There are crystal phone accessories, pet accessories and many other fun gifts besides jewelry to get your message across.

January: Garnet, semi-precious stone. Meaning: creativity, problem-solver, enthusiastic, confident. Alternative gemstone: amber, tiger eye, smoky quartz. Alternative crystal: red or rose colored

February: Amethyst. Meaning: Good intuitation, always ready for action. Alternative Gemstone: moonstone, turquoise, fire opal. Alternative crystal: purple or deep lavendar

March: Aquamarine, blue/green stone. Meaning: very business-like, foresight, likes to keep things in order. Alternative gemstone: turqoise, red jasper. Alternative crystal: light blue and green tones.

April: Diamond or clear crystal. Meaning: You have a lot of money (just kidding). Real Meaning. Innocence and consistency. Alternative emstone: rhodochrosite, sodalite. Alternative crystal: Clear Swarovski crystal.

May: Emerald, dark brilliant green. Meaning: good friend or friendship, romantic love. Alternative gemstone: peridot, rose quartz, malachite. Alternative crystal: Deep, dark green

June: Moonstone, light bluish mixed with white and lighter colors. Meaning: good luck, good intuition, love. Alternative gemstone: amozinite, rose quartz Alternative crystal: lighter, solid stone.

July: Ruby, deep red. Meaning: Deep love, contentment, peace. Alternative crystal: Rich, deep red. Alternative gemstone: rose quartz, sunstone, moonstone.

August: Peridot, medium to light green. Meaning: pure of heart, high morality, spirituality Alternative gemstone: kunzite, ametrine. Alternative crystal: a lighter green than emerald.

September: Sapphire deep, midnight blue. Meaning: clairty and perception in day-to-day living, obtains financial rewards. Alternative gemstone: agate, smokey quartz, tiger eye. Alternative crystal: deep, sea-blue.

October: Opal, translucent white with reflective colors. Meaning: cheerfulness, enthusiasm. Alternative gemstone: amber, aventurine, labradorite. Alternative crystal:

November: Topaz, smokey gold Meaning: self confidence and self awareness, tranquility. Alternative gemstone: citrine, sunstone. Alternative crystal: gold and clear.

December: Turqoise, blue or green, sometimes mixed blue and green. Meaning: Foresight, intuition, luck, protection, readiness for action. Alternative gemstone: Fire opal, malachite, amber. Alternative Crystal: darker blue or green, or combination blue/green.

Ok, so here's one more idea. If you just don't have the time or maybe you just don't have the dollars, don't worry. I'm going to give you a quick, easy and cheap idea!

This is a one-stop, one-shop idea. Just go to any crafting store and buy a bag of unusual beads in the color you are looking for, ie, the green emerald for friendship. They need to be as large as possible, glass or crystal usually works best.

After you've picked the bag of beads, go find some of the embroidered or fabric bags. These can be any color and preferably in a smaller size, because you're going to be putting one bead in the bag. Then, get a small roll of ribbon. Put the bead in the bag, tie the ribbon and you're good to go. Like I said, cheap and quick, but shows you care.

You know the old saying, "It's the thought that counts". You can even afford to give this gift to lots of your friends. And remember, a small caring gesture goes a LONG way and repays itself many times over. So get out of here and start spreading Good Will!