One must have heard of birthstone or must have heard from our elders that wearing a certain birthstone will protect a person from certain ills. There's always a kind of mystery and aura surrounding birthstones. Many people have a dilemma regarding the selection of birthstone.

They are not aware of the type of birthstone they should wear. For this purpose, there are many birthstone charts available in the markets that not only have proper classification and description of various birthstones but a birthstone chart also tells you about pros and cons while wearing a suitable birthstone.

The practice of using birthstones is said to have started in Israel. But, let's first be clear about what actually birthstones are.

Birthstones are precious gems (gemstones) related with the particular calendar months of the year and considered auspicious for people who are born in those months. It's the colored gemstones that are used as birthstones according to month of birth; using zodiac signs as a criteria.

There are separate birthstone charts for zodiac signs associated birthstones and birth month related birthstones. Many birthstone charts categorize birthstones according to different traditions or religions and types. For instance, there's Modern; Mystical; Zodiac; Sun Sign (Star Sign); Arabic; Hebrew; Hindu; Roman, etc.

Infact, in many birthstone charts , use of many colored gemstones as mascots ,lucky charms and healing aids has been described; though this practice is optional but has become a fashion statement of sought.

In some countries, birthstones are used as part of religious practices. It is also recommended in some birthstone charts to wear certain birthstones because it is a widely believed fact that some planets tend to influence different birthstones and those stones in turn pass on the power of subsequent planets to the wearer.

The contemporary birthstone charts also makes you aware of not only suitable birthstones but also tells about variety of colors of various gemstones available at your disposal. Some birthstone charts have the detailed price description of desired gemstone.