The Birthstones of August: Peridot & Spinel

Happy Birthday to everyone celebrating in August! You guys are special because you have two birthstones to choose from that come in various colors. Peridot and spinel are the August birthstones.

A stunning array of loose peridot and spinnel stones in various cuts and vibrant hues, showcasing their natural beauty and brilliance.

Peridot:

A selection of elegant peridot loose stones showcasing a variety of cuts and shades of green.

Peridot is known for being created under the most extreme conditions. Hardened lava that carried the stone from the Earth's mantle is where peridot can be found. Throughout history, the peridot stone has been mistaken for topaz and emerald. The supposed source of the name "topaz" came from Topazios (The Red Sea Island), which is actually where peridot was made. The Shrine of the Three Holy Kings in Germany's Cologne Cathedral is adorned with 200 carats of gems that were thought to be emeralds but turns out to have been peridot. Some historians even suspect that Cleopatra's famous emerald collection may have included peridot.

Radiant loose peridot stones elegantly displayed around vibrant lime-green gift boxes adorned with satin ribbons.

The word "peridot" is derived from the Arabic word "faridat", meaning gem. The peridot was cherished by many medieval and ancient cultures. As early as the 2nd century BCE, peridot was found in priests' jewelry and eventually in chalices used in medieval Europe churches. The peridot stone has been used as a defensive amulet, protecting its owner from evil spirits for centuries.

Peridot can be found in the United States, Tanzania, China, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Myanmar. Arizona is the main location in the United States peridot can be found.

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Spinel:

A collection of stunning blue spinel loose gemstones in various cuts, showcasing their vibrant color and clarity.

Spinel has been underrated until recently because consumers today search for a similar stone to Ruby. The name "spinel" comes from the Latin word "spina", meaning thorn. This stone comes in a variety of colors including bright pink, purple, red, blue, and orange. Red spinel was considered to be a cure for inflammatory diseases and all types of blood loss. Red gems are thought to promote peace and reduce anger.

Spinel can be found in many places including Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Sri Lanka is home to many gem species including spinel, garnet, sapphire, and ruby. Spinnel can be found in purple, blue, and pink around the mines in the southern portion of Sri Lanka.

Contact us today for help finding the perfect peridot or spinel piece to add to your collection.