August Birthstone
Peridot, Spinel & Sardonyx
If you were born in August, you can pick from a wide variety of birthstones. The three birthstones for August come in a range of forms and hues: peridot, spinel, and sardonyx. Find out more about the three birthstones for August, including their origins and locations around the globe.
The birthstones for August are peridot, spinel, and sardonyx. As it may be discovered in meteorites that have come from space as well as in the solidified lava that it was brought in from deep inside the Earth’s mantle, the peridot birthstone is noted for having been formed under severe circumstances. Red spinel was mistaken for rubies for millennia, therefore the birthstone remained undervalued until lately as consumers hunt for ruby alternatives. The original August birthstone, sardonyx, has a more than 4,000-year-old tradition. Find out more about these three birthstones for August and the ideal present for August babies.
Peridot Meaning & History
The yellowish green to greenish yellow gemstone variation of the mineral olivine is called peridot. Peridot has frequently been mistaken for various stones throughout history, including topaz and emerald. The alleged origin of the word “topaz,” the Red Sea island of Topazios, actually yielded peridot. 200 carats of jewels that were thought to be emeralds but are actually peridot, the birthstone for August, adorn the Shrine of the Three Holy Kings in the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. Even some scholars theorise that peridot might have been a component of Cleopatra’s renowned emerald collection.
The Arabic word for gem, faridat, is where the word “peridot” originates. The birthstone for August was prized in many prehistoric and mediaeval societies.As early as the second century BCE, it was used in the jewellery of priests. Later, it was used in the chalices and churches of mediaeval Europe. Since ancient times, the peridot birthstone has also been worn as a talisman of protection, guarding against bad spirits and “terrors of the night.”
The stone presented to commemorate a 16th wedding anniversary is peridot.
Peridot Source
The birthstone for August, peridot, has a fascinating history. Although China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tanzania, Vietnam, and the United States produce the majority of the peridot used in jewellery today, some of it also arrived on Earth in meteorites, and it is still discovered in far-flung places like Peridot Beach in Hawaii, where the sands sparkle a brilliant green.
The earliest source of this August birthstone is the Egyptian island of Zabargad, which is now known as Topazios. 340–279 BCE may have been the start of mining. Despite producing stunning peridot, the island was known by sinister titles like Island of Death and Ophiodes (literally, “snake island”) because of its hostile environment. Since ancient times, Zabargad peridot has been treasured and is currently very sought-after.The world’s top museums are home to the greatest examples of this birthstone for August.
Another notable source of the peridot birthstone is Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). Loose peridot crystals can occasionally be discovered in cracks on the northern slope of Kyaukpon, a hilly location close to the gem city of Mogok. The peridot from this region is of the highest quality, with deep colour and exceptional transparency.
The primary source of this birthstone for August in the US is Arizona. Rivers of lava flowed through the desert terrain of what is now the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, where some Apache families had worked the mines for decades, thousands of years ago as a result of enormous volcanic eruptions.
The pallasite meteorites, which are composed of nickel-iron and olivine, are another source of this birthstone for August. Only a small number of the thousands of meteorites that have struck the planet have gem-quality peridot, however many of them do contain olivine.
Peridot Care & Cleaning
Peridot is not advised for daily usage in a ring since it has a Mohs hardness range of 6.5 to 7, which is softer than many stones and cannot withstand hard use. This birthstone for August can also be harmed by various acids and even persistent contact with acidic perspiration. Peridot cleaning requires precision. Because the peridot birthstone is sensitive to thermal shock, never use an ultrasonic or steam cleaner. The most secure method is to use a soft-bristle brush and warm water with a light dish soap. Care should be used when storing peridot to prevent scratches from harder gems.
Spinel Birthstone Meaning & History
In reference to the thorn-like shape of spinel crystals, the name “spinel” is derived from the Latin word spina. This second birthstone for August is available in a wide range of hues, including bright red, vivid pink, orange, purple, violet, blue, and bluish green.
Spinel has been mistaken for other gemstones for ages. This August birthstone has really turned out to be one of the most well-known “rubies” in history. A succession of Moorish and Spanish kings had owned the roughly 170 ct Black Prince’s “ruby,” for instance, until Edward, Prince of Wales (also known as the Black Prince) acquired it in 1367 as compensation for victory in a battle on behalf of Peter of Castile.
Spinel and ruby were not readily distinguished from one another based on chemical distinctions until the 18th century. Currently, this significant red spinel is set in the Imperial State Crown of Great Britain, immediately above the 317.40 carat Cullinan II diamond.
Along with other red gems, red spinel was once regarded to be a cure-all for inflammatory illnesses and all forms of blood loss. The red jewels were thought to encourage peace and calmness. Traditionally, this birthstone for August is given as a 22nd wedding anniversary present.
Spinel Source
Spinel can be found in a number of places today. Tajikistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tanzania, and Pakistan are important sources. Some sources, such as Myanmar’s hot pink and red spinel, are renowned for producing spinel in eye-catching hues.
Sapphire, ruby, and garnet are just a few of the many gem species and types found in Sri Lanka. The southern section of the country is where spinel is mined. There are blue, pink, and purple hues to be found. For generations, the Ratnapura District’s river gravels and the Central Highlands’ verdant undulating hills have been rich sources.
In addition to this and peridot, the other birthstone for August, ruby, sapphire, and other gem minerals can also be found in abundance in Myanmar’s Mogok Stone Tract. The region is known for its naturally glossy gemstones, which the locals refer to as “spirit polished.”
Since the 1980s, the Luc Yen region in northern Vietnam has produced deep red, purple, pink, violet, and violet-blue spinels. Vibrant blue spinels were discovered there in the 2000s. A trip is required to reach the mines. From Hanoi, it involves a five to six-hour drive, followed by many hours of bicycling or climbing.
Gem enthusiasts were enthralled by the finding of pinkish and orangy red spinel in Tanzania in 2007. The August birthstone is also mined there in purple and blue varieties.
Spinel Care & Cleaning
Spinel has a hardness of 8, making it a common durable stone for rings and other jewellery. Although fractures may be a challenge, ultrasonic and steam cleaners can be employed. A safe substitute is always warm, soapy water.
When exposed to chemicals and light, spinel remains stable. Some of the colours of this birthstone for August can fade under extreme heat.
Sardonyx Birthstone Meaning & History
Sardonyx, the oldest birthstone for August, is a blend of the two chalcedony (cryptocrystalline quartz) crystal kinds, sard and onyx. Onyx layers that are normally white or black alternate with bands of brownish red, brown, and dark orange sard. Sardonyx was a well-liked stone for Roman seals and signet rings in antiquity because hot wax would not adhere to it. This August birthstone’s bands of colour have made it a well-liked carving material for cameos and intaglios for millennia.
According to the Old Testament, one of the stones in the High Priest’s breastplate was sardonyx, which is thought to stand for the power of spiritual life. For protection in combat, Roman soldiers wore sardonyx rings featuring carvings of Mars. These days, the gemstone for August is linked to bravery, joy, and open communication, offering stability to marriage and partnerships.
Sardonyx Source
The origins of this birthstone for August are varied. Sardonyx from India is renowned for having excellent colour contrast across the many layers. Among other places, sardonyx can also be found in Brazil, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Madagascar, Uruguay, and the United States.
Sardonyx Care & Cleaning
On the Mohs scale, this August birthstone ranges from 6.5 to 7. Care should be given when wearing it, especially as a ring, just like with peridot. Be aware that sardonyx, like other chalcedony varieties, is frequently coloured. Sardonyx that has been dyed may lose some of its colour when subjected to high heat, as in jewellery making or repair procedures.
You should use steam and ultrasonic cleaners with caution. Again, the safest method is to use warm soapy water and a soft-bristle brush.
