August Birthstone: History, Meanings, and Benefits

 

Birthstones are the gemstones that accompany a birth month, each stone contain a unique meaning and historical significance. The popularity of birthstones dates back to ancient times when civilizations believed that gemstones had incredible powers such as luck, health and prosperity. Traditionally, every month is connected with a single gemstone. That means august is associate with its own gemstone.

August is the month that claims two birthstones; Peridot and Spinel. Peridot, with green in color, is believed to instill power and influence in the wearer. Spinel is available in various colors and is believed to protect the owner from harm and soothes away sadness.

Astrologists link peridots with the month of August and the star sign of Leo. Furthermore, international gem associations officially declare it as the best gemstone gift for 16th wedding anniversaries. Some also say that peridot has its super powers. For precedent, you can wear as your birthstone. Maximum legend says it can attract love and harmonious relationships into your life. Some are also believe the gemstone alleviates stress, sadness, anger and makes you the best person with more patient, happy and confident.

 

 

August Birthstone History

The principal source of peridot olivine today is the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona. It is also mined at another location in Arizona, Arkansas, Hawaii, and New Mexico at Kilbourne Hole, in the US; and in Australia, Brazil, China, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Mayanmar (Burman), Norway, Kashmir, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Tanzania.  The largest cut peridot olivine is a 310 carat (62 g) specimen in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C.

Color of August Birthstone

Peridot is one of the few gemstones that occur in only one color: green. The intensity and tint of the green, however, depends on the percentage of iron that is contained in the crystal structure, so the color of individual peridot gems can vary from yellow, to olive, to brownish-green. 

Peridot, the birthstone for August, has historic "powers" for healing and warding off nightmares. Formed deep within Earth, this gem is brought to the surface in many ways, but most commonly due to volcanic eruptions. The lime green color is the most traditional representations of this gem and can be seen in necklaces, beads, and more!

Durability of the August Birthstone

Peridot Hardness

According to the Mohs hardness the peridot hardness ranges from 6.5 - 7. The toughness of this gemstone ranges from fair to good. This puts the August gemstone in the field of durability slightly below quartz. This means that peridot jewelry is great for earrings, necklaces, and pendants, even when they are worn as everyday jewelry without worrying much about damages while need to be more careful when made for ring jewelry.

Peridot Stability

Peridot does not do well on uneven or rapid heat. It is perfect to light but can easily get damaged by sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid. Also, it can be damaged by acid perspiration over a long period of time.

Benefits of Peridot:
  1. Peridot is believed to have a calming effect on the wearer. It also brings happiness and warmth in the wearer life. 
  2. Peridot helps to increase strength and reduce their anxiety.
  3. When you used as a Peridot necklace, the necklace become a shield against negative power.
  4. Peridot help people in understanding relationships and their values.
  5. Peridot was used to balance energy and stimulate rebirth and renewal.
  6. When worn as an amulet, Peridot stones are believed to be good for asthma and sinus.

Peridot Jewelry as Gifts

The stone Peridot with its unique citrus green color that not found in any other stones offers incredible sparkle, therefore, a great gift for any gemstone lovers.  Also its attractive background makes it exceptionally special and significant for August birthdays and 16th wedding anniversaries. This awesome bright olive-green stone looks beautiful in precious metals, gold, silver, Palladium, and Platinum. Reputed to inspire eloquence, creativity and to bring delight weather in the form of earring, bracelet, necklace and ring, we recommend this August birthstone jewelry for a fresh and playful color to your August outfit.

Cleaning and Caring for Silver or Gold Peridot Jewelry:

The most perfect way to clean silver or gold Peridot jewelry is with warm and soapy water.  You should never use any Ultrasonic and/or steam cleaners on your Peridot gemstone. Below you will see how best to clean and care for Peridot.

1.Cleaning:

If you want to clean your Peridot you can use a mild soap like dishwashing detergent as the cleaner and for the cleaning tool you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush. The steps are as follows: first, take a bowl and fill it with warm water and half a teaspoon of mild dishwashing detergent. Second, soak the Peridot stone in the bowl of warm soapy water for several minutes, and then scrub it very carefully with the soft toothbrush tool. Third, rinse the stone with clean water. The final step for drying the stone is to use a soft cloth.

2.Caring:

The second part of caring for your Peridot is how you care for the Peridot stone when you are wearing it. Firstly, you should always keep the stone away from some chemicals such as makeup, hair product and perfume. The chemicals found in these products can make the stone look dull. Be sure to put the stone on after you are done putting on your make up and be sure to take it off before washing or showering. Another thing is to avoid exposing the stone to high heat; changing temperatures can discolor the stone. The final thing you can do to protect the stone is to keep it away from harsh materials such as cleaning materials and activities that could damage the stone. Make sure to remove the Peridot jewelry before doing any housework, exercise, or garden work.

    Meet the New August Birthstone: Spinel

    If you were born in the month of August, you are most likely a Leo or (for those born after August 23), a Virgo. You have also been long accustomed to your birthstone being the light green Peridot.  Spinel is a relative new birthstone for August.

    Spinel comes in a wide range of colors. It is most frequently found in a ruby red or dark pink color, although there are other hues that range from mauve to lavender, pink, orange and pale blue or gray to deeper shades. The most desired color is vivid red, followed by cobalt blue, bright pink, and bright orange. Other shades such as lavender, gray, black, greenish-blue, and yellow are less expensive. Today, spinel is mined in Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Rare cobalt blue spinel gemstones are only found in Sri Lanka. Centuries ago, the spinel was sometimes erroneously said to ruby because of its likeness in color. Such is the case with the Black Prince Ruby that is on the British Imperial State Crown. Most recently a rare 50.13-carat rose-hued spinel, the Hope Spinel, sold at auction for $1.4 million.

    Meet the New August Birthstone: Spinel

    Spinel is highly brilliant and sparkly when polished and is a relatively affordable gemstone. With a variety of vivid colors and brilliant cut measuring 8 on the Mohs scale, spinel is a very versatile gem for everyday wear and has made its way to become the top choice for durable august birthstone jewelry.

    Spinel was believed in ancient times to protect people from harm and to soothe away sadness. Different colors of spinel have different properties and offer various benefits. Vivid red spinel signifies vitality and promotes harmony. Red spinel was also a remedy for blood loss and inflammatory diseases. Softer colors offer calming energy, renewal, healing, and stress relief. Green and pink spinel are associated with love and compassion. Violet spinel is ideal for spiritual development, and yellow spinel aids the intellect.

    Spinel Durability

    • Because of its MOHS hardness scale sits at an 8 so stones are harder than Sapphires, Rubies and Diamonds. The stone is extremely resistant to scratching. The stone is perfect and durable enough to be considered for an engagement ring!

    Tips for Buying Spinel

    • Spinel has become one of the most popular gemstones. Its sparkle and range of colors and shapes make it an exciting choice for jewelry. Gray and black Spinel create a sparkly contrast when paired with white gems such as diamonds or white sapphires. 
    • Look for lively, sparkly gems with no visible inclusions. Spinel is not usually treated. Synthetic spinel is commonly available. 
    • Trending spinel shapes are octagons, trillions, squares, fancy pears, and ovals. Faceting brings out the sparkle. Tiny beads strung as strands and tassels are a pretty fashion look.

    How to Care for Spinel

    Measuring 8 on the Mohs scale, Spinel is not quite as hard as sapphire and ruby, but it is suitable for everyday wear. Remove your spinel jewelry when you are going to do heavy work or physical activity. Store it separate from other jewelry pieces that may catch or scratch it. Wash with warm soapy water, rinse, and air dry. 

    Lireille offers a wonderful selection of gorgeous August birthstone jewelry to match your personal style. Visit our store in Oakland to check out our collections or create your own personalized designs. Whether you are shopping for the perfect gift for someone special or treating yourself to a fabulous piece, we can help.

    FAQ Peridot 

    1. How rare is Peridot?

    Peridot for the most part is a fairly common gem and is not considered to be rare. There are some versions of Peridot that are considered rare. These special kinds of Peridot have been found in meteorites that have happened to land on Earth. Also, large Peridots are expensive and are considered to best show off their eye-catching olive green color. Considering that Peridot is not rare the prices are moderate and make for a beautiful August gemstone gift.

    1. What is the spiritual meaning of Peridot?

    Peridot is believed to have connections with the wearer to give you strength and balance. It is also thought to bring peace, good health and rest to your body and mind. Some believe that Peridot can help with ailments such as allergic reactions, swelling, colon issues and digestion problems. They are also thought to emit positive energy and are related to the fourth chakra in Indian tradition, the fourth chakra is the heart chakra.

    1. What is special about Peridot?

    Peridot is special because it can be found deep in the Earth’s crust often found inside molten lava and encased in molten rocks. This gem is mostly mined in Egypt, Pakistan, the USA and Mexico. What makes this gem most special is its range of beautiful green colors often compared to cut grass or a beautiful pale green color. Peridot has been written about throughout history and has been found landing on Earth from outer space making it a uniquely special gem.

    1. Can you wear Peridot every day?

    Although this gem can be worn every day it does require some extra care and caution if you choose to wear them frequently. Peridot on the Mohs scale is ranked from 6.5 to 7, making it a fairly durable gem. Mohs is the rating system used to determine the hardness of a gem or mineral. Peridot can break if it is not stored and cared for properly. If you are going to wear it every day it is best to remove the jewelry before exercise, cleaning and other physically demanding activities. Peridot should be stored in velvet-lined boxes and away from other gems that could potentially scratch it.

    1. Is Peridot a lucky stone?

    Peridot is considered a lucky stone and is called the money stone, alluding to the powers it can give the wearer of luck in wealth. This stone helps with money-making luck, but also as already mentioned before, it can give you good luck with your health and relationships. Peridot is thought to help make your hopes and dreams a reality, this gemstone is very lucky!

    FAQ Spinel

    1. Are Spinels valuable?

    Yes, natural Spinels are valuable and rather rare. Some colors are more valuable such as red, blue and vivid pink colors. Throughout history, Spinels were often mistaken as Rubies and have recently become a more popular gem and one of the August birthstones. Spinels are often an underrated gem and therefore are often sold at modest prices compared to their beauty and durability. Spinels are allochromatic gemstones, meaning that if the gemstone did not have trace elements the gem would be colorless.

    1. How can you tell if the Spinel is synthetic/fake?

    Synthetic Spinels are common and inexpensive and therefore it is easy to trick an untrained eye into purchasing a fake Spinel. The best way to test that the Spinel is natural is by putting it under UV radiation light. If the gemstone is especially glowy when you put long-wave UV radiation light on the gem it is likely not natural. It can be hard to tell even with looking at an especially glowy gem; therefore you need a professional to determine whether or not you have a fake Spinel.

    1. What is the rarest color of Spinel?

    Blue is the rarest color of Spinel and there are no known treatments for the blue Spinel, so it is a natural and unmodified gem. The blue color is due to impurity of the color Cobalt in the crystal lattice. These unique gems are highly sought after and the more vibrant the blue color the more expensive the gem will be.

    1. Is Spinel good for an engagement ring?

    Yes, Spinel is a great gemstone for an engagement ring. Spinel ranks on Mohs scale with a rating of the hardness of 8, which makes for a good and durable engagement ring. Engagement rings must be strong to withstand everyday wear and tear. Mohs is the rating system used to determine the hardness of a gem or mineral. The harder the gem or mineral the larger the number on the Mohs scale. Diamonds rank the highest at 10 and are the hardest most durable mineral.

    Check Some August Birthstone Jewelry Collection

    ETTA

    Designer: Katie Porterela

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    Ophelia August birthstone Earrings set with White Topaz, Peridot and Labrodorite

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    Folded Ring with Peridot

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    Large Off Round Earrings with Peridot

     

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    Bangle with peridot

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    18k Gold Rose Cut Diamond and Rose Cut Peridot Deco Necklace August birthstone Pendant

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    Moss Aquamarine Pear Shape with Grey Spinel in 18kt Gold Earrings

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    18k White Gold Claw Spinel Solitaire Ring and 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Wedding Band or August birthstone ring

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    Peridot Handmade Drop Earrings

     

     

    14K Gold 3mm Round Peridot-Set Ring

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    Oxidized Sterling Silver Tassel Short Post Earrings

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    Peridot in 18k Gold Necklace

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    1 comment

    • Dream of Stones: October 05, 2021

      People who born in the month of August are lucky enough to have three birthstone options – peridot, spinel, and sardonyx. These birthstones have their own color, meaning, history, and symbolism.
      The Peridot gemstone is associated with growth, prosperity, love, loyalty and protection.
      Spinel is the newest August birthstone and it has been called as the ‘mother of ruby’.
      Sardonyx bearing a sign of character engraved under astrological influence and thought to act as charms to avert evil and bring good fortune.

      Either you’re shopping for your favorite zodiac sign, or grab a meaningful piece for yourself, birthstone jewelry is always a perfect choice. For more details about ruby gemstones beads check https://dreamofstones.com/

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