August Birthstones: Peridot, Spinel and Sardonyx [Full Guide]
Jul 26,2024 | Juyoyo
August is on the way! You may know that there are specific birthstones for each month if you have a basic understanding of birthstones. So what's the birthstone for August? August is an exceptional month as it has 3 different types of birthstones: Peridot, Spinel, and Sardonyx. Learn more about these August birthstones with Juyoyo.
- What is the Birthstone for August?
- What is the Color of the August Birthstone?
- Why Does August Have 3 Birthstones?
- August Birthstone - Peridot
- August Birthstone - Spinel
- August Birthstone - Sardonyx
- How to Clean and Care for Each August Birthstone?
What is the Birthstone for August?
Every month has its birthstone symbol. So what's the birthstone for August? There are 3 birthstones for August: Peridot, Spinel, and Sardonyx. Of these August birthstones, peridot and spinel belong to the modern August birthstones, while sardonyx belongs to the traditional August birthstones. However, peridot, spinel, and sardonyx are the August birthstones.
What is the Color of the August Birthstone?
As mentioned above, there are 3 August birthstones - Peridot, Spinel, and Sardonyx, each of which has its own unique color.
Peridot: Ranges from yellow-green to olive green, with the most prized shade being a rich lime green. Reminiscent of a spring meadow, peridot's color is often refreshing and soothing.
Spinel: comes in various colors including red, blue, pink, purple, black, or colorless. Red Spinel is particularly prized and has historically been confused with Ruby, as they look similar.
Sardonyx: features bands of color, including shades of reddish-brown sard and white onyx. The contrast between these colors creates a striking and visually appealing appearance.
Why Does August Have 3 Birthstones?
Reflecting the rich history, cultural diversity, and symbolism associated with gemstones, the tradition of having multiple birthstones for a particular month such as August. It allows individuals to choose and celebrate their birth month with a gemstone that holds personal meaning and significance for them.
August Birthstone - Peridot
Peridot Meaning & History
Peridot is believed to have a calming and cleansing effect on the mind, helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and negative emotions. The Arabic word "faridat", meaning gemstone, is believed to be the origin of the name "peridot". Peridot was highly prized by the ancient Egyptians. They called it the "Gem of the Sun". They believed that peridot had protective properties and could ward off evil spirits.
Characteristics of Peridot
Clarity: Peridot is known for its transparency and clarity, with few inclusions visible to the naked eye. High-quality peridot gemstones are typically eye-clean, meaning they have minimal imperfections that can detract from their overall appearance.
Hardness: Peridot has a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, making it relatively durable and suitable for everyday wear.
Symbolic Meaning of Peridot
Protection: Peridot is believed to have protective properties, shielding the wearer from negative energies, evil spirits, and harm.
Healing: Peridot is associated with healing and regeneration. It is believed to purify the mind, body, and spirit, promoting overall well-being and vitality.
Prosperity: Peridot is considered a stone of abundance and prosperity, attracting success, happiness, and wealth to the wearer.
Love and harmony: Peridot is often associated with love, harmony, and positive relationships. It is believed to bring peace and joy to the wearer's life, strengthen emotional bonds, and promote understanding and forgiveness.
Strength and courage: Peridot is said to inspire strength, courage, and determination in the face of challenges and obstacles. It is said to enable those who wear it to overcome adversity, to take bold steps, and to pursue goals with confidence.
Where is Peridot Found?
Peridot is found primarily in regions of volcanic activity, where the Earth's mantle has been brought to the surface by tectonic processes. Peridot has been mined for thousands of years in Egypt, where it is known for its olive-green color and is prized for its beauty and rarity. Peridot can also be found in countries such as China, Vietnam, Australia, Brazil, and Norway.
August Birthstone - Spinel
Spinel Meaning & History
Spinel is believed to possess various metaphysical properties, including energizing, renewing, and rejuvenating, love, passion, and protecting. The Black Prince's Ruby, a large red spinel set in the British Imperial Crown, is one of the most famous spinels in history, which has been passed down through generations of British royalty.
Spinel's Characteristics
Clarity: spinel is generally transparent to translucent, with few to no visible inclusions or imperfections that can affect its overall appearance.
Durability: Spinel has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale, making it a durable gemstone suitable for everyday wear in jewelry. It is resistant to scratches and abrasions, ensuring its longevity.
Symbolic Meaning of Spinel
Energy and vitality: Spinel is believed to increase energy levels, inspire passion, and promote vitality. It is associated with stimulating the flow of energy in the body, promoting physical strength and endurance.
Renewal and rejuvenation: Spinel is thought to bring a sense of renewal and rejuvenation to the mind, body, and spirit. It is believed to help revitalize and refresh one's energy, promoting overall well-being.
Love and passion: Love, passion, and courage are often associated with red spinel. It is thought to enhance love, ignite passion, and inspire courage in matters of the heart.
Protection: Some believe that Spinel can help protect against negative energies and influences. It is considered to be a talisman against harm, a source of security, and a shield against negativity for the wearer.
Where is Spinel Found?
Myanmar is known for producing high-quality spinel, particularly the vibrant red spinel historically known as 'Balas ruby'. Afghanistan, known for its beautiful pink and red varieties, is another important source of spinel. Spinel can also be found in countries such as Sri Lanka, Vietnam (which is a newer source of spinel and is renowned for the production of high-quality, vivid red spinel), and Tanzania, among others.
August Birthstone - Sardonyx
The Meaning & History of Sardonyx
A unique and meaningful birthstone for those born in August, sardonyx is a type of chalcedony characterized by bands of color that typically alternate between shades of reddish-brown sard and white onyx. It brings stability and balance to the wearer and is believed to promote courage, strength, protection, and self-control. Sardonyx was popular in ancient Rome, where it was used to create cameos and intaglios, intricate carvings often depicting mythological scenes or portraits, and continued to be popular in medieval Europe, where it was believed to have protective and healing properties.
As well as being the birthstone for August, sardonyx is also associated with the Leo zodiac sign, which falls between 23 July and 22 August. Leo, symbolized by the lion, is known for qualities such as courage, strength, and leadership, which are believed to be reflected in sardonyx.
Related: 10 Best Presents for Leo Star Sign! [2024 Guide]
Sardonyx's characteristics
Clarity: In its gem-quality form, sardonyx is generally translucent to opaque, with few to no visible inclusions that can detract from its overall appearance. Adding to the visual appeal of the stone, the banding patterns in sardonyx are typically well-defined and distinct.
Hardness: Sardonyx has a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, making it durable enough to use in jewelry and everyday wear.
Sardonyx's Symbolic Meaning
Strength and courage: Strength, courage, and resilience are often associated with sardonyx. It is believed to help the wearer overcome challenges and obstacles by giving them a sense of inner strength and fortitude.
Protection: Sardonyx is believed to have protective properties, helping to ward off negative energies and promote a sense of safety and security.
Balance and Harmony: Sardonyx is believed to help balance and harmonize mind, body, and spirit. It is thought to promote stability, and emotional balance and help one to feel peaceful.
Confidence and self-control: Sardonyx has been associated with the promotion of self-confidence, self-control, and willpower. It is believed to help the wearer stay grounded, focused, and disciplined in their actions and decisions.
Healing and wellness: There is a belief that sardonyx has healing properties and can promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It is thought to increase vitality, improve overall health, and help heal.
Where is Sardonyx Found?
India is a major source of sardonyx, particularly in the state of Maharashtra. Sardonyx with distinctive banding patterns is found in various locations in India. Others include Brazil, Madagascar, Germany, Russia, Italy, and so on. Each source can produce sardonyx with its unique characteristics and qualities.
How to Clean and Care for Each August Birthstone?
Cleaning: To clean peridot, spinel, and sardonyx, use warm soapy water and a soft brush to gently scrub the gemstone. Avoid harsh chemicals or ultrasonic cleaners as they can damage the stone.
Storage: Store gemstone jewelry away from other gems to prevent scratching. It is best to wrap it in a soft cloth or place it in a jewelry box.
Avoid heat and sunlight: These gemstones can fade in direct sunlight or high heat, so it is best to store them away from sunlight and extreme temperatures.
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