Collection: August Birthstone

August Birthstone - Peridot and Spinel

August is one of the few months with multiple birthstones, offering people born in this month a beautiful choice. Traditionally, peridot has been the primary birthstone for August, known for its vibrant green color and historical significance. In recent times, spinel and sardonyx have also been recognized as additional birthstones for this month.

These stones not only enhance jewelry collections but also hold symbolic meanings connected to protection, strength, and positivity. Whether set in rings, pendants, or earrings, August birthstones bring unique energy and beauty to each piece. Their diverse colors—green, red, and multi-banded brown—suit various styles and tastes.

Peridot, with its olive to lime green hue, has been cherished since ancient times as a stone of light and abundance. Spinel, known for its red, pink, and other vivid colors, offers brilliance similar to ruby but at a more accessible value. Sardonyx, with its layered bands of brown, red, and white, was historically used as a protective amulet.

Choosing an August birthstone for yourself or a loved one celebrates the spirit of summer while connecting with each stone's metaphysical properties. These stones make thoughtful gifts for birthdays and anniversaries, especially when paired with meaningful settings in gold or silver.

Overall, August birthstones offer beauty, cultural significance, and metaphysical benefits, making them a valuable addition to any gemstone collection or jewelry design project.

Peridot as August Birthstone (Scientific Overview)

Peridot is the gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine, with a chemical formula of (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄. It belongs to the orthorhombic crystal system and forms in the mantle of the Earth, often brought to the surface through volcanic activity. Its characteristic green color results from the presence of iron within its structure.

The hardness of peridot ranges between 6.5 and 7 on the Mohs scale, making it suitable for most types of jewelry, including rings and pendants, with proper care. Its refractive index is between 1.65 and 1.69, giving it a moderate luster and noticeable brilliance when well cut and polished.

Peridot is one of the few gemstones that occurs only in green, although the exact shade can vary from yellow-green to olive, depending on the iron content. Fine-quality peridots are transparent, free of visible inclusions, and display a bright lime green with no brownish undertone.

Geologically, peridot is found in places like Myanmar (Burma), Pakistan, China, Vietnam, and Arizona in the United States. Some peridots also come from rare pallasite meteorites, making them among the few extraterrestrial gemstones used in jewelry.

Due to its formation deep within the Earth’s mantle and its unique optical properties, peridot is valued not only for its vibrant appearance but also for its geological and scientific significance in mineralogy and gemology.

Spinel as August Birthstone (Scientific Overview)

Spinel is a magnesium aluminum oxide mineral with the formula MgAl₂O₄, belonging to the cubic crystal system. It is often found in octahedral crystal form and displays excellent hardness at 8 on the Mohs scale, making it a durable choice for jewelry.

Spinel occurs in a variety of colors due to trace elements. Red spinel owes its color to chromium, while cobalt produces blue spinel, and iron results in darker tones like black spinel. The bright red spinel, historically confused with ruby, is particularly prized.

Its refractive index ranges from 1.71 to 1.73, providing a high degree of brilliance similar to other precious gemstones. Spinel has no cleavage, contributing to its toughness and ease of cutting in various faceted styles for jewelry settings.

Major sources of spinel include Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tanzania, and Afghanistan. Some of the most famous historical “rubies” in royal collections, such as the Black Prince’s Ruby in the British Imperial State Crown, have been reclassified as red spinel.

Spinel’s combination of brilliance, hardness, and wide color range, along with its affordability compared to ruby or sapphire, has made it increasingly popular among gem collectors and jewelers seeking unique August birthstone options.

Sardonyx as August Birthstone (Scientific Overview)

Sardonyx is a banded variety of chalcedony, a cryptocrystalline form of quartz (SiO₂), composed of alternating layers of sard (brownish-red chalcedony) and onyx (black or white chalcedony). Its formation results from silica-rich solutions depositing microcrystalline layers over time.

With a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, sardonyx is relatively durable for jewelry making, although it requires protection from strong impacts or harsh abrasion. It belongs to the trigonal crystal system typical of quartz family minerals and has a waxy to vitreous luster when polished.

Sardonyx occurs in various regions worldwide, including India, Brazil, Uruguay, and parts of the United States. Its characteristic banding makes it a popular choice for cameos, intaglios, and traditional protective amulets throughout history.

Color-wise, sardonyx shows layers ranging from deep reddish-brown sard to white or black onyx, creating striking natural patterns. These bands are often carved to highlight contrasting layers in artistic gemstone engraving.

Scientifically, sardonyx offers insight into sedimentary geological processes and silica deposition environments. Its layered structure and aesthetic appeal make it valuable not only in jewelry but also in mineral collections and historical artifacts.