Chilson Jewelers Minnesota Jeweler

Birthstones are some of the most beautiful and popular pieces of jewelry. Did you know there are different types of birthstone calendars? There’s traditional, modern, mystic and Ayurvedic. Even some traditional calendars list more than one gem. Call us old-fashioned, but we stick to tradition. 

• Colors: red (most popular), green, yellow, orange, dark brown, purple
• Hardness: 7.0-7.5
• Symbolism: friendship, loyalty, good health and devotion. Believed to protect against nightmares.
• Bit of History: Garnets have been used in jewelry since the Bronze Age.
• Bonus Trivia: Garnets larger than 2 carats appear black.

• Colors: shades of purple ranging from pale lavender to deep, reddish violet.
• Hardness: 7.0
• Symbolism: peace, protection and tranquility. Believed to heighten spiritual intelligence.
• Bit of History: Ancient Greeks believed amethysts would prevent wearers from getting drunk. (Not true!)
• Bonus Trivia: The purest amethysts appear transparent.

• Colors: shades of blue ranging from pale blue to blue-green and dark blue.
• Hardness: 7.5
• Symbolism: youth, happiness and beauty. Believed to promote health and honesty.
• Bit of History: Some ancient sailors believed a mermaid’s lower body was made of aquamarine. Swimming with a stone fin must be tough.
• Bonus Trivia: Aquamarine will eventually lose its color if left out in sunlight.

• Color: clear white to yellow (most popular), but also pink, red, blue, green and brown.
• Hardness: 10
• Symbolism: love, fidelity, courage and invincibility.
• Bit of History: Diamond comes from the Greek word “adámas” meaning “unbreakable”
• Bonus Trivia: Diamonds have been found on every continent except Europe and Antarctica.

• Color: medium green to dark green
• Hardness: 7.5
• Symbolism: fertility, rebirth and goodness. Believed to also bring good fortune.
• Bit of History: Ancient Egyptians were the most famous civilization to mine emeralds.
• Bonus Trivia: The beryl of an emerald, which gives the gem its color, is closely related to aquamarine.

• Color: white (most popular), brown, silver, cream, black or pink.
• Hardness: 3.0
• Symbolism: modesty, love, success, happiness and purity. Believed to restore youth.
• Bit of History: Before pearls could be cultured, divers would descend more than 100 feet in a single breath to scoop up shellfish that may or may not have a pearl inside.
• Bonus Trivia: Natural pearls are more valuable than cultured ones. Saltwater pearls are more valuable than fresh water.

• Color: shades of red from solid red to deep, reddish brown
• Hardness: 9,0
• Symbolism: fire, success, devotion, integrity and passion
• Bit of History: Rubies were originally found in Southeast Asia like Myanmar, Vietnam or Thailand, but have recently been found in colder areas like Greenland.
• Bonus Trivia: The brightest and most valuable rubies are called “pigeon blood red.” We don’t think they’ll make a crayon with that name any time soon.

• Color: transparent lime to olive green
• Hardness: 6.5
• Symbolism: fame and dignity. Believed to protect wearers from nightmares.
• Bit of History: Peridot is the only gem to be collected from meteorites
• Bonus Trivia: Peridot is sensitive. Don’t leave it in a hot car or clean it with a home ultrasonic cleaner

• Color: blue (most popular) also orange, yellow, violet, green, white and pink
• Hardness: 9.0
• Symbolism: truth, sincerity, commitment, and loyalty of the heart
• Bit of History: Sapphires have been found in the US – even in the Missouri River. Bonus Trivia: Sapphires and rubies are often found together.

• Color: blue, black, yellow, pink, red, green and clear
• Hardness: 7.5
• Symbolism: balance. Each color is believed to protect against different dangers.
• Bit of History: Tourmaline was fired mined and brought to the West by the Dutch East India Company.
• Bonus Trivia: While it’s considered only a semi-precious stone, tourmaline gets its value from its mysticism and variety or “balance” of colors.

• Color: yellow with shades ranging from pale to gold to dark orange or brown
• Harness: 7.0
• Symbolism: hope, youth, health and fidelity
• Bit of History: Citrine is French for “lemon” and was historically considered a gift from the sun,
• Bonus Trivia: It’s nearly impossible to tell the difference between citrine and topaz with the naked eye.

• Color: blue (most popular for birthstones) but also yellow, pink, brown and clear
• Hardness: 9.0
• Symbolism: love, wisdom and courage. Believed to attract friendship and affection.
• Bit of History: In addition to the December birthstone, blue topaz is also the state gemstone of Texas
• Bonus Trivia: Mystic topaz is clear with a thin coating that gives it a rainbow effect.