What is the Birthstone for August?
If you were born in August you are lucky to have the choice of two birthstones, the beautiful green peridot, and sardonyx, a type of onyx.
August Birthstone Peridot
Dating back as far as 2000 BC, peridot is one one the oldest known gemstones.
How is Peridot Formed?
Peridot crystals are formed in the magma of the upper mantle of the Earth’s mantle and are brought to the surface by tectonic or volcanic activities. Diamonds are also formed in the same way.
Where is Peridot Found?
In ancient times the world source for peridot was Topazo Island, now Zaargad or St. John’s Island in the Egyptian Red Sea.
Nowadays peridot comes mainly from China and Pakistan. Other countries mining peridot are Australia, USA, Brazil, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Myanmar, Norway, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania
A new deposit of peridot was found in 1990 in Pakistan which brought a revival of Peridot jewellery with it.
Thanks to good resources, peridot is now affordable.
Jewellery to suit every budget can be bought.
Is Peridot Heat-Treated?
Peridot is not heat-treated to improve its colour. Sometimes oils, waxes or resins are used to fill fractures and improve the appearance of the gemstone.
What Colour is Peridot?
The vibrant, stunning lime green crystal is the unmistakable colour of peridot, the gemstone of the mineral Olivine.
Olivine is found deep inside the earth mantle and is only brought to the surface by volcanoes.
Peridot is one of the few minerals which only comes in one colour, olive green. The colour varies in shades. The shades of green vary between light yellow-green to brown-green. The most valuable shade is dark olive green.
The amount of iron contained within the crystal dictates the intensity and hue of the green. The olive green hue can contain more yellow or brown.
Does Peridot Scratch Easily?
Peridot has a hardness of 6.5 – 7.0 on the Mohs Hardness Scale making it a fairly durable gemstone. Peridot is prone to cracking but, once it has been cut it is a fairly sturdy gemstone.
When wearing your peridot jewellery daily, great care should be taken to avoid hard knocks and chemicals.
Peridot gemstones can fracture if exposed to hard knocks.
How do I Clean my Peridot Jewellery?
Your August birthstone peridot jewellery should be cleaned with warm soapy water, rinsed well and dried with a soft cloth.
How much is a Peridot Worth per Carat?
With peridot the region, it has been sourced from plays a large part in determining the value of the gemstone.
Gemstones from Myanmar, Pakistan, and Arizona, USA are usually worth more than gemstones mined from other parts of the world.
As with other gemstones, colour, clarity, cut, and size also determines the value of the gem.
Can a Peridot be used in an Engagement Ring?
Yes definitely, this beautiful August birthstone peridot makes a beautiful and unusual alternative choice for an engagement ring.
Fun Facts, Myths and Legends
Peridot has often been mistaken for emeralds. Cleopatra’s emeralds and Cologne Cathedral’s shrine to the Three Holy Kings are examples of emeralds being later identified as Peridot.
In Hawaii, peridot symbolizes the tears of the volcano Goddess, Pele who controls the flow of the lava.
Peridot is said to possess healing attributes and protect against nightmares and evil.
Peridot is believed to bring happiness and good fortune to the wearer.
Known as the gem of the sun by the Ancient Egyptians, peridot was worn as bead necklaces to protect the wearer from evil at night.
The Greeks and Romans wore rings and pendants made with peridot.
During the Middle Ages, it was used to ward off evil spirits.
Peridot was often mistaken to be Emeralds, the Crusaders adorned churches with Peridots.
Peridot is the national gemstone of Egypt.
The chemical formula for peridot is (Mg, Fe)₂SiO₄
Peridot celebrates the 16th wedding anniversary.
Not everybody can warm to wearing green jewellery but, with the right setting and outfit, peridot jewellery is stunning.
August Birth Colours are Orange, Red and Light Green
The August Birth Flowers are Gladiolus and the Poppy
See a complete list of all birthstones and Months of birth here.
Two great days for gifting birthstone jewellery are Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.
August Birthstone Peridot, a few Ideas for You
Peridot Birthstone Rings
Peridot Birthstone Necklaces
Peridot Birthstone Earrings
Peridot Birthstone Bracelets
August Birthstone Sardonyx
The second of the two August Birthstones is sardonyx. Sardonyx is a red-banded variety of onyx.
How is Sardonyx Formed?
Sardonyx is the red variety of onyx with the same properties as quartz.
It is formed out of bands of chalcedony in alternating colours.
Where is Sardonyx Found?
The best quality sardonyx is found in India but, it is also sourced from Germany, Madagascar, Uruguay, Czechoslovakia, the United States, and Brazil.
The August birthstone Sardonyx is found in abundance making it affordable for every budget.
Is Sardonyx Heat-Treated?
Some sardonyx is heat-treated and treated with dyes to enhance the colours.
What Colour is Sardonyx?
Sardonyx contains bands of white tan and brown, the main colour is red.
Does Sardonyx Scratch Easily?
With a hardness of 7.0 on the Mohs Hardness Scale sardonyx is quite strong, however, it is prone to scratching and chipping.
Always take great care when wearing sardonyx jewellery and avoid knocks on hard surfaces.
How do I clean my Sardonyx Jewellery?
Use warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush to clean your sardonyx jewellery, rinse well and dry with a soft cloth.
Avoid strong chemicals.
How much is Sardonyx Worth per Carat?
August birthstone Sardonyx is valued in the same way as most gemstones; the larger the gemstone, the larger the carat and the more expensive the gemstone.
The colour, quality, clarity, and cut determine the value of the gemstone.
Can Sardonyx be used in an Engagement Ring?
August birthstone sardonyx is prone to chipping, therefore, beads and earrings are probably the most ideal jewellery pieces and not rings and especially engagement rings.
However, If you are prepared to constantly remove your ring whilst performing heavy tasks, not wearing your engagement ring as often as a ring with other gemstones, a sardonyx engagement ring could possibly work.
Choose wisely, sardonyx is probably not the best choice for a ring you would want to wear 24/7.
Fun Facts, Myths and Legends
Sardonyx was throughout ancient history a favourite material for making cameos, brooches, seals and signet rings.
The image below is of a Sardonyx cameo representing Alexander the Great. Thought to be by Pyrgoteles, the engraver of Alexander, around 325 BC.
The name sardonyx comes from an ancient Persian city, Sard, now in Turkey and onyx from the Greek meaning nail or claw.
Sardonyx beads are popular for making necklaces and bracelets.
Sardonyx is said to give courage and bring happiness to the wearer.
August birthstone sardonyx is believed to protect against evil.
Sardonyx was a popular material used in Ancient Egypt 4000 years ago.
The chemical formula for sardonyx is SiO2
August Birthstone Sardonyx, a few Ideas for You
Sardonyx Birthstone Necklaces
Sardonyx Birthstone Earrings
Sardonyx Birthstone Bracelets
