Prehistoric Birthstones

In ancient China, Egypt, India, Meso-America and Tibet people wore jewellery of carved gemstones, often combined with shells and gold, each of the precious stones associated with its magical properties.  

Jade was sought after in China and by the Olmec of prehistoric Meso-America for its beauty and many beneficial effects. 

During the same era the Ayurvedic healing practices involving gemstones and the Tibetan traditions of Mystic birthstones were developed.

Historic Birthstones

Hellenistic Greek examples abound of precious gems, often carved, and set in jewellery (rings, necklaces and pendants) as gifts to be used as talisman stones, amulets and charms. 

Biblical representations, of the powers of 12 precious stones set in the breastplate of the High Priest and the 12 stones of the Mystical City have been interpreted as relating to the signs of the zodiac.  

The practice continued into the Imperial Roman era and spread throughout medieval Europe.  Germany of the 15th century was the home of jewelry gifts set with what has come to be known as the ‘traditional’ birthstones. 

Small poems defining the powers of these birthstones were attached to each month of the Gregorian calendar during that era.


The ‘modern’ birthstones, as gifts, were officially defined by the trade organization, Jewelers of America, in 1912 at their Kansas City convention.

The Kansas City list of birthstone jewelry gifts was revised in 2002 to include the newly discovered precious stone called Tanzanite.

* * *

What ever tradition you follow to choose a birthstone jewellery item, let the Jewelry Birthstones Wizard help you find those precious and personal jewelry gifts.

 More History

One very historic jewelry gift idea came to the famous actor Richard Burton when he got the opportunity to buy a well known piece of jewellery set with a famous and historic Pearl called the 'Traveler'. 

This beautiful gem had been the property of a King of Spain, was given as a royal birthday gift to a Queen of Britain, then to a Prince of France and had made its mysterious way back to the British Isles. 

Richard Burton gave this historic jewelry heirloom away, once again as a royal birthday gift, to the Queen of his Heart, Elizabeth Taylor.