A birthstone is a gem that is a symbol of the month of a person’s 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 1700’s. These beliefs spread to other European countries and to the United States. Most people now do not believe that birthstones affect the wearer’s life, but many people still choose their birthstones to be set in rings,brooches, and other pieces of jewelry.