Throughout history, people have given each other gifts to mark an important occasion. Gift giving is so prevalent, that even animals and birds do it. For example, the Satin Bowerbird collects blue colored objects, anything from feathers to pen caps to present as a gift to potential mates. Think of it as the bird equivalent of a sparkly 
sapphire ring.
There are a few reasons why gift giving has an important place across all cultures. Psychologists who have studied gift giving find that it helps to strengthen relationships between family members and friends. It's also beneficial not just for the person who receives a gift, but also for the person who gives the gift. The old adage is true - it really is better to give than to receive. Those that give a gift often get the most psychological benefit from it.
The practice of giving gifts to celebrate a birthday is believed to have originated with the Romans who celebrated birthdays with family and friends. Romans used to give babies pendants for their birthdays to protect them against the evil eye, a round pendant for boys, and a crescent shaped pendant for girls. Wealthy children received pendants made with gold, while less well of children received pendants made out of lead.
Jewelry has always been a popular gift option because human beings have been wearing jewelry since the start of civilization. Some of the earliest archeological finds are beads made out of shells that were worn by early societies. Throughout time, jewelry has been used as a status symbol, a good luck charm, a form of protection and as wearable art. So it is only natural that jewelry quickly became a popular choice of birthday gift.
The most magnificent jewelry gifts were naturally given to queens. Queen Elizabeth has several exquisite pieces made from the famous Cullinan Diamond, the largest gem-quality 
diamond ever found, at an awe inspiring 3,106-carats. The magnificent stone was cut by hand into multiple smaller diamonds. These days the Cullinan Diamond lives on in many royal items of jewelry, with the two largest diamonds cut from the Cullinan worn by the Queen on the most ceremonial occasions as brooches.
Sparkling diamond brooches may be nice, but when giving jewelry, it is the thought that counts. The right jewelry gift is one that has a personal meaning for both the wearer and the gift giver. One good example is the ring Prince William gave to Kate Middleton when they were still dating. The elegant ring was studded with pearls and garnets. It was meant as a symbol of the two of them and their relationship, as garnets are Kate Middleton's birthstone and pearls are William's birthstone.
Apart from royalty, perhaps no one is better known for the magnificent jewelry gifts they received than another famous Elizabeth- Elizabeth Taylor. The violet-eyed actress was famous for her lifelong love of extravagant jewels and her habit of wearing them at every chance-even wearing a diamond tiara to swim! Elizabeth Taylor's most breathtaking jewelry was given to her by her husband Richard Burton. From an elaborate 
emerald and diamond necklace from Bulgari, given to her while she filmed Cleopatra, to a 33-carat diamond ring from Harry Winston to a whopping 69-carat pear-shaped diamond set in a necklace just for her, which she wore to the Academy Awards, no one has matched Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry collection.
While gossip magazines loved to report on Elizabeth Taylor's love life and jewelry, these days the gossip place of honor goes to Kim Kardashian. Her husband, Kanye West, has also showered her with diamonds and other fine jewels. But according to Kim Kardashian's website, there is one birthday gift that has stood out from the rest. It is a bracelet that Kim Kardashian says she is "obsessed with,"" and often wears, in the shape of a sleek gold panther. Kanye West gave her the bracelet, from Cartier, as a present for her 32nd birthday."
Jewelry birthday gifts don't always have to come from a significant other. The jewelry we get from friends is just as special and meaningful, especially if it is personalized. Just ask Taylor Swift, who received a gold cat necklace with a picture of her beloved feline, Meredith Grey, as a present for her 25th birthday from girl squad member Lena Dunham. Swift called the necklace her "new most cherished possession"" on Instagram."
