The August Birthstone - Peridot
The August Birthstone, Peridot is generally light green in colour. It’s a unique birthstone because it is always a shade of green and no other colour. The intensity of the green colour is determined by the amount of iron in the gemstone. The more iron it contains, the deeper green it will be. Peridot is both a day and a night stone, as it keeps its shining colour even under artificial lighting. It has been nicknamed the ‘Evening Emerald’. It has a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it quite a soft gemstone.
The Origin of Peridot
Most of the Peridot seen in jewellery today is sourced from China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Vietnam, and the United States. Some journeyed to Earth on meteorites, however, this extra-terrestrial Peridot is extremely rare and is not likely to be seen in retail jewellery. While others are found in exotic locales like Peridot Beach, Hawaii, where the sands shimmer a luminous green.
Early records, dating back to the second millennium BC, say that the ancient Egyptians mined Peridot on an island in the Red Sea, which is now known as Zabargad. According to legend, the island was infested with snakes, making mining extremely difficult until a pharaoh drove the snakes into the sea.
The stone was often confused with Emerald and Topaz due to its colour. It is even believed that Cleopatra’s famous Emerald collection may have been comprised of some Peridot pieces. For centuries, people believed that the 200ct gemstones embellishing the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in Germany’s Cologne Cathedral were Emeralds, when in fact they are Peridot.
Peridot Symbolism and Healing Properties
Peridot gemstones have existed for many centuries and have therefore had many different meanings attributed to them. Symbolising light, strength and passion, the peridot was once thought to be found in volcanic ashes. One of the only two gemstones to be created from fire and brought to light, Peridot gemstones are also said to symbolise warmth.
The bright green colour of Peridot is associated with nature, harmony, good health, restful sleep, and peacefulness. It is known as the stone of compassion. By giving renewal to all things, peridot can calm anger. It is connected to the heart chakra, helping to open your heart, loosen any grips on anxiety and let go of envious thoughts that can strain and damage relationships. It is believed that if a Peridot gemstone is set in gold, it will protect the wearer from nightmares. The gemstone is also said to have a strong association with Cosmos and the universe, which has led many people to believe that the stones harbour celestial properties. This is believed to bring healing, lifelong happiness and prosperity.
Alternative August Birthstone - Spinel
The name ‘Spinel’ comes from the Latin word ‘spina’, meaning thorn. This references the shape of Spinel crystals. This gemstone comes in varying colours including intense red, pink, orange, blue, bluish green, purple, and violet, with red being the most desirable. Much like Peridot, Spinel was mistaken for different gemstones for centuries. It was most thought to be Rubies, with many of history’ most famous ‘Rubies’ being Spinel.
While the colour of the gemstone is very similar to that of Rubies, the structure and single refraction of a Spinel stone, set it apart. It is also a much softer gemstone than Rubies, which rank a 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Spinel gemstones rank at 8 on the scale. Like all coloured gemstones, the retail price is determined by how intense the hue is.
Many years ago, Spinel was thought to be a treatment for inflammatory disease and all types of blood loss. Now, many healers believe its real energies activate the ‘Root Chakra’ and cure the issues associated with it. The gemstone has been linked to enhancing the health of gums, teeth, skin, and spine. It also helps with eight reduction and cancer healing.
Spinel is considered as a gemstone of revitalization that helps the wearer to de-stress and re-energize. They are believed to ease anger and promote harmony and have a calming effect on the body and soul. Due to the variety of colours that Spinel is formed in, different colours have their own individual properties attached. Red Spinel is believed to promote endurance whereas green and pink Spinel’s are known to bring grandeur and love. Violet Spinel signifies spiritual growth whereas yellow Spinel favours the intellectual development of the wearer.
We always recommend choosing a gemstone that you feel a connection to despite what your birthstone is. Browse our full collection of gemstone jewellery below.