Ancient birthstones originated in Poland in the 16th and 18th century. It was in the year 1912 that the National Association of Jewelers issued an index of modern birthstones. This list was not the same with the ancient list of birthstones because it added names of transparent gems. with this list came about the introduction of mother rings. This would layout the birthstones of a a woman’s offspring. This index is continually being used. Jewelry makers continue to add more selections to this index. Some recent additions include tanzanite, bloodstone and spinel. In some countries like the United States, jewelry makers and some enthusiasts of these gems are free to combine stones that suits them. Selling birthstones is financially promising because people see this as something valuable. Even if birthstones are categorized according to month, people nowadays are free to choose which stone to put in that jewelry. Be it the precious gem diamond or a ruby for a mother ring, one is free to choose from the many stones in the list.
