A birthstone is a gem that is a symbol of the month of a persons birth. Many ancient people believed that birthstones brought good luck to the wearers and also influenced their personalities. The fortune-tellers of the Middle Ages selected a gem for each month and told people that wearing these stones would keep them from harm. The modern beliefs about birthstones are thought to have originated in Poland in the 1700s. These beliefs spread to other European countries and to the United States. Most people now do not believe in the setting of birthstones and use them as rings, brooches, and other pieces of jewelry.
What is a birthstone?
A stone used to give birth
A mark that is made on the stone
A gem that symbolizes the month of a person
A kind of food for animals