A birthstone is a gem that is a symbol of the month of a person's birth. Many ancient people believed that birthstone 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 birthstone are thought to have originated in Poland in 1700's. These beliefs spread to other European countries and to the United States. Most people now do not believe in the setting of birthstone and use them as rings,brooches,and other pieces of jewelry.