Despite the immense popularity of diamonds, colored gemstones have always been among the most popular and expressive forms of jewelry. Long before diamonds were used in jewelry, people valued sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and all other colored stones. The precious gemstones - sapphire, ruby, and emerald - are among the most prized. Precious gemstones of good size and quality are so rare that a natural, unenhanced, strongly colored stone can be worth as much per carat, or more, than a diamond of comparable quality.

From the time gemstones were discovered, they were believed to have mystical powers and attributes that could be passed to the wearer. The red of ruby was fiery and passionate; cool blue sapphire was calm and composed. About 2,000 years ago, writers began pairing each of the stones and their attributes with the months of the year and the signs of the Zodiac, and with time, the mythology of birthstones evolved.