August is the height of summer in the Western hemisphere and the eighth month of the Roman calendar. It marks a time of renewal, warm feelings, harvest, and steadfast celebration. As a birth month of abundance, it's only right that August enjoys a trio of birthstones rather than just one. Peridot, Sardonyx, and Spinel are the three gemstones associated with August.
What makes August stones stand out are their versatility and extraordinary history. They are not only personal and meaningful presents but also symbolize confidence, empathy, and resilience. Along with boldness, these birthstones also bring good health, luck, and wealth to the wearer. As a Virgo Birthstone August stones enhance your look, compliment all outfits, and shower your life with love and good fortune. Here, we delve into the special meanings behind each stone and help you decide which August birthstone is the best for you.
Peridot: The Gem of the Sun
Peridot is known as the gemstone of the sun. With its bright lime green color and connection to light and nature, It is the perfect gem to represent the month of August. Summer spirit abounds in Peridot, a stone known for its good vibes and positive energy and for lending a sense of protection whenever you need it. As a mineral olivine, peridot comes in perfect shades ranging from yellowish-green to olive green and even bright citrus lime green.
Throughout history, Peridot has been used as a protective amulet. In ancient times, it was used to ward off night terrors and evil spirits as it was a stone that represented the light. It was also called the evening emerald in Ancient Egypt and can be traced back to the cracks and volcanic rocks of Oahu in Hawaii.
Peridot is mined worldwide, from the USA to China, Myanmar, Pakistan, and the Egyptian island of Zabargad. In the US, bright green Peridot is mostly mined in Arizona and the San Carlos Apache Reservation volcanic field. In China, it is also a vibrant shade of green and is often found in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Pakistan and Myanmar are also producers of these green stones, with Myanmar offering transparent, high-quality Peridot birthstones, making them highly sought after.
Peridot's bright green color is synonymous with good health, peace and harmony. It is popularly known as the gem of compassion - a stone that makes all things new. Wear peridot for restful sleep. This stone can help you calm down if you are prone to anger. Peridots are also said to cure depression.
If you are celebrating your 15th wedding anniversary, Peridot is the stone for you and your loved one to commemorate this milestone.
Sardonyx: Ancient Stone of Strength
The ancient stone of strength, Sardonyx is a variant of Onyx with a fascinating layered look thanks to its bands of Sard. This intriguing gem is another August birthstone and can be traced all the way back to Ancient Egypt. With its banded color schemes, Sardonyx can have red or brown bands of color, giving it a warm look that suits its mood.
Sardonyx has a long history and deep lore. It was a prized gemstone, especially in Roman culture, often used to stamp seals and create cameos. These cameos were considered beautiful pieces of art and often showcased scenes taken from mythology. In religion, Sardonyx was also utilized and loved for its protective properties. It was common to find Sardonyx talismans and see them used in crosses, rosaries, and other spiritual and protective talismans and religious icons. In Ancient Greece, this gem, with its white bands and earthy shades, was also linked to the Goddess Venus and believed to be associated with themes of fertility, love, and joy.
Sardonyx is a stone of courage, happiness, clear communication, and protection. It is a beautiful match for August when all these themes and feelings of positivity are in bloom.
Spinel: The Master of Disguise
The rainbow shades of Spinel are the third birthstone for August. Gem collectors highly seek this special stone as it comes in a wide range of shades. Spinel comes in colors from vibrant pink to deep color blue and rich red. The Spinel stone has such a wealth of colors that throughout history, it was often confused with Ruby or Sapphire until it was finally recognized as its distinct and valuable gemstone.
One of the most famous examples of this was when it came to the British Imperial State Crown. Studded with the famed 'Black Prince's Ruby,' it came to light that this primary gemstone was not ruby as previously thought, but a Spinel stone.
Spinel is mined worldwide, with Myanmar being one of the major sources of Spinel -especially in the Mogok stone tract valley, where you can find Spinel in a range of colors, including the highly coveted hot pink. It is also mined in Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tanzania, Madagascar, and Afghanistan.
The word spinel may be derived from the Latin word spina for "thorn." This alludes to spinel's spine-shaped crystals. Due to spinel being confused for ruby and sapphire for so long, it does not have the same ancient traditions and beliefs associated with it as many other gemstones. Still, the gem has been associated with joy and energy and is believed to bring feelings of positivity to the wearer. It is also believed to inspire a sense of relaxation for those who work too much or have trouble unwinding. Spinel is famed for being a crystal of immortality, rejuvenation, evolution, compassion, joy, vibrancy, and life.
Caring for August Birthstones
Whether you fall in love with the Spinel birthstone, the properties of Peridot, or the beautiful stones of Sardonyx, all these gems need a little TLC to keep them in the best condition. Vibrant Peridot scores 6.5-7 on the Mohs hardness scale, meaning that it is moderately durable but still susceptible to scratches and chips. Sardonyx scores the same, and Spinel scores slightly higher on the scale of hardness, making it a tougher stone at 7.5-8.
All these modern birthstones can be cleansed easily with warm water, a drop of mild dish soap, and a soft-bristle brush. Always rinse your gemstone properly and thoroughly dry and buff to bring out the gorgeous green tones in your beautiful Peridot or the shining single color of your Spinel. Keep all your traditional birthstones away from harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaning products and store them in dry, cool places, as extreme temperature shifts can cause thermal shock and affect the coloring of the stone.
Incorporating August Birthstones into Jewelry
August birthstones make for the perfect gift, especially when centered on jewelry. The bright pop of a Peridot Bracelet, Peridot Ring or a birthstone Peridot necklace brings instant color to any summer wardrobe. Thanks to its statement contrasting shades, Sardonyx also lends visual interest when used in jewelry. Blue Spinel, hot pink Spinel, and an evocative variety of colors make this stone a must for birthstone jewelry in elegant settings.
Each of these three gems brings its colors, moods, and magic to the table so that you can choose your favorite gemstone for August. The finest Peridot is pure joy; Sardonyx brings strength, and Spinel is a stone of compassion. You can choose whichever primary birthstone of August speaks to you and your balance of aesthetics and healing properties.
Conclusion
August is a unique birthstone month as it has not one but three gorgeous gem varieties to pick from. Each original birthstone brings its own energy into your world, but each has that balance of beauty, power, and ancient lore. Whichever gem species you choose, whether Peridot birthstone jewelry, Sardonyx shades, or Spinel's array of colors, you can make a personal connection with the protective stones of August. Explore our range of crystal bracelets in our online crystal shop and find the best crystal cubes, worry stones, and zodiac bracelet sets.
FAQs
Why does August have two birthstones?
August has three birthstones: ancient Peridot, Sardonyx, and Spinel. Peridot was the original green crystal for August, and later Sardonyx was added. Even later, the Spinel gemstone was added to make for more modern choices of birthstone jewelry.
What is the birthstone for a Leo in August?
The luminous green Peridot is the birthstone for August-born Leos. This vibrant gem has high, joyful energy and is known for encouraging life and light and chasing out darkness. Spinel and Sardonyx are also alternative birthstones for August-born Leos.
Is the birthstone for August Onyx?
The August birthstones are Peridot, Sardonyx, and Spinel. Those born in the month of August can choose which alternate gemstone they want to align their energy with. Sardonyx is a variety of Onyx and shares some similar properties to this stone.
Who should not wear peridot?
Peridot is considered an ideal gift and a safe stone for those born during August. However, those with a sensitivity or allergy to mineral olivine may want to avoid wearing this stone as it may cause skin irritations or headaches.
