The tradition of birthstones has been around for so long you probably think the list of gems is, um, set in stone, right? Wrong. Despite the fact that the concept has roots going back to Biblical times, the list has been updated as recently as two years ago. 

Among the numerous stories about the therapeutic influence of gemstones, it is generally agreed that wearing a gemstone during the month it is the birthstone heightens its healing powers. Read on to learn what else the gems are thought to do, a little about their histories, where they come from and other fun facts. Since there is no set way to wear birthstones most are illustrated with a historic jewel and a contemporary design as a way of showing a thread line through time of how a gem has been mounted in jewelry.