Birthstones have been around in one form or another nearly as long as people have. Most gem historians believe our ancestors regarded gems as sacred gifts from the heavens. Some people theorize that the earliest associations between gemstones and months of the year evolved from the twelve stones mentioned in the Bible as being on the breastplate of the high priest, while others attribute the development of the birthstones to the Twelve Apostles. Still other religions have produced quite different beliefs.