August Birthstones - Peridot and Spinel

Posted on Aug 01, 2024 By Zachary Rawlings

August is one of the few months with three birthstones: peridot, spinel, and sardonyx. Each gemstone is beautiful and prized for its unique colors, characteristics, and cultural significance. This blog post covers everything you need to know about purchasing and owning the two birthstones we carry in our store - peridot, and spinel.

Peridot

Peridot is the primary birthstone for August and is widely recognized for its stunning lime green glow. This captivating gemstone forms deep within the earth and is brought to the surface by volcanic activity.

In fact, ancient Hawaiians believed that peridot was the tears of Pele, the volcano goddess. Adding to its mystical allure, peridot is occasionally found inside meteorites, making it a gem with both earthly and celestial origins.

Unlike many gemstones that owe their color to trace impurities, peridot derives its vibrant hue from its unique chemical composition. This means that peridot exclusively comes in shades of green, ranging from yellow-green to brown-green. Historically, peridot has often been mistaken for emerald, and some historians believe that Cleopatra’s famous emerald collection was actually composed of peridot.

Metaphysical Properties

Peridot is known as the stone of compassion. It is believed to bring good health, peace, and balance to relationships by harmonizing the intellectual and emotional aspects of one’s being. This gemstone is said to calm anger, attract love, and bring renewal to all things.

The color green is strongly associated with nature and growth, while lime green sits right between yellow and green on the color wheel, evoking feelings of both colors. Lime green hues promote creativity, freshness, positivity, and growth, making peridot an ideal gemstone for fostering a vibrant and balanced life.

Peridot Diamond Halo Earrings from Park City Jewelers

Woman Wearing Peridot Ring from Park City Jewelers

Peridot Jewelry

Peridot jewelry captures the essence of nature’s beauty with its radiant green hues. The highest quality peridot gemstones exhibit deep color and excellent transparency. With a hardness of 6.5 - 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, peridot is softer than many other gemstones and requires careful handling.

Rings set with peridot should be worn with caution and are not recommended for everyday wear. However, peridot looks absolutely stunning in all settings, including rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.

Click Here to Shop Peridot Jewelry

Oval Peridot & Oval Blue Zircon Cocktail Ring

Regular: $21,595.00

Sale: $21,595.00
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Rainbow Mixed Gemstone Checkerboard Earrings

Regular: $7,449.00

Sale: $7,449.00
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Oval Peridot & Classic Diamond Halo Ring

Regular: $6,895.00

Sale: $6,895.00
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Oval Peridot & Classic Diamond Halo Pendant

Regular: $5,949.00

Sale: $5,949.00
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Rainbow Mixed Gemstone Cabochon Dangle Earrings

Regular: $5,295.00

Sale: $5,295.00
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Peridot and Diamond Linking Bracelet in Yellow Gold

Regular: $4,500.00

Sale: $4,500.00
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Peridot and Diamond Stud Earrings

Regular: $4,329.00

Sale: $4,329.00
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Peridot with Diamond Halo Bracelet in Yellow Gold

Regular: $3,900.00

Sale: $3,900.00
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Spinel

Spinel has recently become a popular gemstone alternative to ruby or pink sapphires, thanks to its exceptional brilliance and wide range of colors. In fact, spinel was often mistaken for ruby for centuries, with some of history’s most famous rubies actually turning out to be spinel—including the renowned red spinel in Great Britain’s Imperial State Crown.

While red is currently the most sought-after color of spinel, this versatile gemstone is available in a stunning array of hues, including blue, green, purple, orange, pink, and gray. This variety makes spinel a perfect choice for those looking to add a unique and colorful touch to their jewelry collection.

Metaphysical Properties

Spinel is believed to inspire passion, longevity, and devotion, making it a powerful gemstone for enhancing emotional connections and commitment. It is also said to positively affect mental stamina and reduce forgetfulness, promoting clarity and focus.

The wide variety of colors of spinel offers a range of color energies to choose from. Red spinel symbolizes passion, power, and love, infusing the wearer with vibrant energy. Blue spinel, another popular color, is known for its healing and soothing properties, providing a calming and tranquil influence.

Marquise Spinel Ring from Park City Jewelers

Spinel Jewelry

High-quality spinel gemstones should be free of visible inclusions, as the number and size of inclusions play a significant role in determining their value. With a rating of 8 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, spinel is a durable gemstone, making it an ideal choice for various jewelry settings. Its stunning brilliance and array of colors make spinel a perfect choice for rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.

Conclusion

Both peridot and spinel offer unique beauty and charm, making them perfect for celebrating August birthdays or simply adding a touch of elegance to your jewelry collection. Whether you’re captivated by the vibrant green of peridot or the versatile hues of spinel, Park City Jewelers has the perfect piece for you.

Visit our store to explore our exquisite collection of peridot and spinel jewelry, and let us help you find a piece that will be cherished for years to come.

Phone: (435) 649-6550

Location: 430 Main Street Park City, UT 84060