Since the ancient times people believed that different stones serve as their good luck amulets in many different aspects of life: health, financial wellbeing, love, and many others. Originally many cultures associated particular stones with the zodiac signs, and were thought to help those born under those signs. As time passed, instead of zodiac signs, birthstone became linked to the month of a person's birth.

Different cultures gave importance to different stones, therefore some color and types of the stones vary, but all of them were meant to be worn to bring the wearer good luck. The set of twelve stones most often used includes:

Though in nature Garnet is found in almost every possible color, January stones are deep Red. Possibly due to their color red Garnets were believed help cure diseases of the blood and heart palpitations, protect against snake bites and food poisoning. It was also thought that wearing Garnets could prevent a person from getting depression or sadness and moved a person to thought and meditation.

Amethyst is a form of quartz that in nature varies in color from pale lilac to dark purple. Besides being a symbol of peace, calm and stillness, due to its purple wine-like color people have attributed to it the ability to stave off drunkenness, in fact the name Amethyst comes from the ancient Greek, meaning "without wine." According to one of the ancient Greek myths goddess Diana turned a maiden, Amethyst, into a stone to protect her against an attack from the god of wine, Bacchus, who in sorrow poured wine over the stone.

Though believed to symbolize happiness and everlasting youth, however due to its color, it is mostly associated with protection and safety during sea voyages, prevention of seasickness and various stomach disorders.

Thought in nature color of the Aquamarine, a form of the mineral Beryl, is represented in almost all shades of blue. The fashion changes with time, and while the most popular hue of the stone in our days is the sky blue, a couple of centuries ago it was the sea green, in fact the name Aquamarine comes from Latin, which literally means water of the sea. When cut, some samples of Aquamarine contain traces of different colors, but the more valuable stones are of very clear blue.

Probably because diamonds are the most durable substance on earth they have represented courage and invincibility. Even before the ancients invented a process for cutting and polishing of diamonds, they were worn by warriors and were placed on their shields. Diamonds are also symbols of romance and strength of true love.

Diamonds are believed by most to be colorless; however in reality completely colorless diamonds are extremely rare, while in nature different color options are also available.

In some cultures Emeralds symbolize fertility and rebirth, they are also believed by many to have the power to help heal eyesight and liver problems. Most probably due to Its hypnotic color Emerald is thought to awaken the psychic powers and allow people to predict future.

Color of these stones varies from very light to brilliantly dark shades of green. Emeralds have a fragile texture, and are a form of a mineral Beryl. When mined, Emeralds usually have other materials embedded within them, ideally clear and pure emeralds are very rare and expensive.

Thought most popular color for Pearls is white, they come in a range of colors, including pink, gold and black. Pearls have been beloved since the ancient times for their beauty and luster. They symbolize power and courage, and because in many cultures pearls symbolize such characteristics as modesty and chastity they are the jewelry of choice for brides on their wedding days. They are also believed to cure heart trouble, unsettled stomach, and fever.

For centuries Rubies have been associated with passion, are believed to help wearers in love, bring peace, make them wiser and protect against all kinds of bad luck and catastrophe, as well as safeguard physical and mental health of the wearer.

Rubies are a form of mineral corundum and are very durable, second only to diamonds. The color of these stones varies in hues from the vivid red to violet or brownish red. In fact the name "Ruby" comes from the Latin, meaning red.

For centuries people have viewed Peridots as a symbol of the sun and believed that they've granted protection from nightmares, helped cure problems with eyesight, and brought good luck, happiness, merriment, attract lovers and success to their wearers.

The color of Peridots is usually of bottle-green with lime khaki or brown shades. Due to the closeness in colors Peridot is sometimes called the Evening Emerald, and could probably be confused with an Emerald. Though very popular in Middle Easter countries for centuries, it was first brought to Europe during the crusades.

Since days long gone people believed that Sapphires symbolize peace, happiness, purity, chastity and piety. They are believed to help protect their wearers from various diseases, bad luck and also enhance powers to predict future.

Just like Rubies, Sapphires are a form of mineral corundum, and are very durable, second only to diamonds. They come in virtually all colors, except red, including pink, green and yellow, but in our days the most valuable are the cornflower blue colored stones.

The beautiful play of multiple colors has associated Opals with innocence, na?vet?, hope, and purity. These opaque, iridescent stones are most appreciated for the flashes of color when exposed to light. Opals come in variety of colors, including different shades of orange, white and black. Opals are very delicate and soft stones that contain many impurities which create the changes in color characteristic to this stone. Due to their structure Opals could be easily damaged, and should be protected, they also shouldn't be cleaned in the home jewelry cleaners.

Jewelry consumers love citrine for its warm and sunny glow. The hues of this golden yellow form of quartz, range from sun-dried grass to lemon, to sun-bright, to deep gold. It is also found in nature in shades of orange, deep red to darker browns. The name, Citrine, comes from the French citron, meaning "lemon."

This stone is believed to help its wearers with a many issues in health and prosperity. It is believed to help those suffering from diseases of the heart and kidneys, digestive problems, issues with the muscles and liver. Shinning like the life-giving sun Citrine is also thought to "warm" people's spirit, help eradicate self-destructive tendencies, help achieve clarity and to encourage creativity.

Though in nature colors of Topaz range from clear to pink, red, peach, orange, brown, gold and yellow the stone of December is the tender romantic blue. Its name is believed to come from the Sanskrit word tapas, meaning "fire."

For centuries many people believed that Topaz gives the wearer strength, prevent from injury or death, and even make wearer invisible. It is also believed to help cure many physical and mental disorders, improve eyesight and avert insomnia.