Nativity Stones are stones from the Cave of the Nativity, the site Christians have officially recognized and celebrated as the birthplace of Christ since 326 A.D. At that time, Empress Helena and her son, Emperor Constantine, erected a Basilica above the cave that local Christians had celebrated as Christ's birthplace since the time of His death. This Basilica is the oldest active Christian church in the world.

"The Birth of Jesus has special significance. What a better way to celebrate than with a Nativity Stone from His birth?"

Today, steps have been taken to secure the Basilica and the cave to enable future generations to visit and view this Holy and beautiful commemoration of the birth of Christ. One singular effort to help protect the Basilica and the cave has been the creation of the Nativity Stones Collection. The collection, made up of various gold and silver cross-pendant necklaces and ornaments designed to hold a small stone from the Cave of the Nativity, offers a unique way for people to maintain the presence of Jesus Christ in their daily lives.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Nativity Stones is sent to Bethlehem each year for the upkeep and maintenance of the Basilica that stands above the Cave of the Nativity. These funds will help enable future generations to visit and view this holy commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Additional funds are also used each year to support charities like the American Cancer Society and Loyola Marymount University, St. Theresa, Church of the Little Flower, the Spanish River Church (building churches throughout North America).

These stones were brought to the United States in 1964 through the efforts of Stanley Slotkin, a philanthropist and archaeologist. While visiting the Cave of the Nativity during its only excavation, Slotkin expressed an interest in the stones that were being removed. Mayor Elias Bandak of Bethlehem, Slotkin's host, had no plans for the stones and offered them to him. Mayor Bandak oversaw the shipment of the stones to the U.S.