All About the August Birthstone

August has three birthstones: the traditional Peridot, the age-old Sardonyx, and the new addition, Spinel. Chronologically, Sardonyx is the original August birthstone, dating more than four millennia. However, Peridot is the most popular August birthstone, its deep, pure green color offering a certain appeal. In 2016, Spinel was added to the list, completing the trifecta.

What is Peridot

Peridot is an ancient gemstone made up of the olivine mineral. It stands out from other gemstones with its pure green color—the peridot color results from the presence of magnesium and iron within its molecules. The color can range from brown-green to yellow-green — the most sought-after color in jewelry.

Peridot is formed under intense pressure deep within the earth’s upper mantle. Volcanic activity then transports the green gem towards the earth’s surface.

Today's most peridots in pieces of jewelry today come from China, Myanmar, Tanzania, Pakistan, and the United States. Some come from outer space in the form of meteorites. You can find others in the exotics sands of places like Peridot Beach in Hawaii.

Spinel, the latest August birthstone, comes in a range of colors: red, orange, pink, blue, violet, purple, and bluish green. The red-colored spinels were historically mistaken for rubies.

Most of the spinel on the market today is mined in places like Tajikistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Pakistan. Myanmar, in particular, is famous for producing bright red and hot pink colored spinels.

Sardonyx, the most ancient of the August birthstones, comprises two types of chalcedony: sard and onyx. The color is made of alternating bands of brownish red to dark orange sard with white or black layers of onyx.

This gemstone has several sources, India, Brazil, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Uruguay, and the United States. Sardonyx from India is famous for providing good contrast between the layers.

Symbolism of August Birthstones

Humans have been embedding pieces of jewelry with Peridot for thousands of years. Especially in ancient Egypt, where they source these gems from the island of Zabargad.

The gemstone purges the heart of its wearer, bringing calmness, serenity, and purity. Holy men in ancient Egypt embedded this stone in their goblets for healing and protection from nightmares and evil. Like other red gemstones, red spinel was believed to be a remedy for blood loss and inflammatory diseases. In addition, it was thought to ease the anger of the wearer and promote peace. Historians now believe Sardonyx to be one of the stones in the High Priest's breastplate, representing the strength of spiritual life. In addition, soldiers in the ancient Roman Empire wore sardonyx rings for battle protection. It was also a popular stone for Roman seals and signet rings since it did not stick to hot wax. Today, Sardonyx is associated with happiness, courage, and clear communication. In addition, it brings stability to marriage.

Peridot Symbolism

The gemstone is associated with strength and balance; it brings peace, health, and rest – by harmonizing the mind and body. Yogis wear Peridot to better connect with their inner selves. The stone has notable mentions in the holy bible.

Apart from the spiritual symbolism, Peridot is very affordable. Compared to other gemstones like emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and diamonds. This price tag makes them attractive choices for gemstone embedment in jewelry. They are also the gems given to celebrate a 16th wedding anniversary.

Peridot Quality

Like all gemstones, the 4Cs are the factors that determine Peridot's quality:

Color

Pure green peridots are rare. Instead, the yellowish-green colors are the ones you are likely to find. The higher quality ones have an intense color, while the lower quality ones have a brownish color.

Clarity

High-quality Peridot should have no eye-visible inclusions. Instead, you should only see tiny black spots under magnification. Readily visible inclusions like dark spots lower the gem's quality.

Cut

The cut of a peridot gem enhances its natural brilliance and vibrant green hue, showcasing its unique clarity and beauty. Popular cuts include oval, round, and emerald shapes, each maximizing the stone's luster.

Carat Weight

Peridot's carat weight directly influences its size and value, with larger stones being rarer and more sought after. Despite its relatively high density, even smaller carat weights can display stunning color and brilliance.

Peridot Treatment

Peridot has a remarkably consistent greenish color in its natural form. It is not enhanced or heat-treated to improve its color. However, it is sometimes treated with colorless oil, reasons, or waxes to fill the surface voids or fractures to improve the stone's appearance. The jeweler must disclose this in the bill of sale.

Popular forms of Peridot jewelry

Peridot rings are the most popular types of August birthstone jewelry. Additionally, they are also embedded in earrings, bracelets, pendants, and numerous other types of jewelry. They are particularly a great choice for engagement rings because they offer the allure of diamonds without the expensive price tag. They are durable and retain the sheen after a long period of wear. However, they may not be fit for everyday wear as exposure to certain hard water could hurt them.

Identifying a Real Peridot

● You should perform an eye test. It is an imitation if you detect any other color from yellowish-green to brown.

● Check for double refraction. Hold the gem against the light; it is the real deal if there is double refraction.

● Check for cracks on the surface. The Mohs score of 6.5 - 7 of peridots means that they could be scratched. It is unlikely to be real if your Peridot has a perfect glasslike appearance.

● Check your gem's color under different lighting. For example, fake Peridot may show a different color under artificial light.

Tips for Buying Peridot Jewelry

● Cut quality. Well-cut, brilliant Peridot looks gorgeous. Choose a shape that best appeals to you as there is no "best" shape.

● Make sure there are no eye-visible inclusions. The blemishes should not be visible to the naked eyes.

● Avoid the low-quality brownish stones. Instead, aim to lol for pure green stones.

● Choose yellow gold as your base metal. The two colors create a beautiful complimenting contrast.

Care and Storage of Peridot Jewelry

Peridot is softer than many gemstones and cannot take hard wear. Therefore, you should not buy it for everyday use. In addition, acids and long-term exposure to acidic perspiration damage it. Peridot cleaning is a delicate process. Clean with a soft brush and mild dish soap in warm water. Avoid steam or ultrasonic cleaners. Also, store them in a separate pouch from other jewelry to avoid scratching.

All three August birthstones have a rich history. However, the Peridot stands out amongst them. They are a popular choice for jewelry embellishment with lush green color and an affordable price tag. With clarity has a vast collection of Peridot embedded jewelry for you to choose from. Please browse through our collection today.