Whether you’re shopping for a birthday gift for someone special or a treat for yourself, August babies have a special gift… three birthstones! Birthstone jewelry makes the perfect gift for someone you love to give a personalized present filled with striking colors and beautiful gemstones, and August stones are no exception.
From vibrant green to red-orange hues and more, the three birthstones for August are full of endless color options for special jewelry to gift yourself or a loved one. If you’re new birthstones and are wondering what the August birthstone is, then this guide is for you. Throughout this article, we’re discussing the main birthstone for August and the two others to help you choose the perfect birthstone jewelry for the eighth month of the year.
What is the Main Birthstone for August?
Even though August has three birthstones, the main birthstone to represent this month is peridot. Peridot is a gemstone formed deep in the earth’s mantle from the high temperatures of volcanic or tectonic activity. Once formed, it produces a unique green hue mixed from yellow and green that is very vibrant in color.
Peridot has an interesting history dating all the way back to ancient Egypt. The Egyptians first discovered this gemstone in the Red Sea and called it the “gem of the sun.
” Back then, the Egyptians believed that peridot protected them from evil spirits and bad dreams, but it’s now taken on somewhat a new meaning. Peridot still has a meaning of protection, but is now associated with prosperity and growth.
Alternative August Birthstones: Sardonyx and Spinel
Thanks to the evolution of professional jewelry and updated birthstone lists to give individuals more variety, August has two more birthstones: sardonyx and spinel.
Sardonyx is an interesting looking birthstone with a reddish-orangish shade with white stripes running through the center. Its unique color and stripe design gives the gemstone an appealing aesthetic from its visual interest that’s perfect for a statement piece of jewelry.
Spinel is August’s most versatile birthstone out of the three. This birthstone comes in a variety of colors like purple, red, pink, blue, and even black. But, pink and red are its most popular shadeswithin jewelry. Because of spinel’s vibrant color and beautiful clarity, it creates an alluring piece of jewelry perfect to accentuate everyday styles or sophisticated looks.
The Meanings and Symbolism of August Birthstones
Other than their beautiful colors and interesting designs, August birthstones have deep meanings and symbols with their historical significance. Understanding these meanings can help you choose the perfect August birthstone for your jewelry if you want a gemstone with an interesting background.
Peridot dates all the way back to ancient Egyptian times and is said to have a folkloric meaning of protection and strength. The Egyptians called this gemstone the “gem of the sun” since they viewed this stone as a protective element from nightmares. Outside of this spiritual meaning, peridot also has ties to wealth and abundance because of its deep green hue. Sardonyx also has folkloric meaning tying back to ancient times. This gemstone contains the meaning of courage and happiness, which was used by ancient Greeks as a gift to warriors to instill courage in them for battle. The ancient Greeks and Romans also believed sardonyx promoted happiness in the person who owned the gemstone, so if you wanted a birthstone for the month of August that focuses on well-being, then this is the stone for you!
Lastly, the August birthstone spinel has symbolic meanings of its own. This stone, known as the “stone of immortality, ” is said to symbolize renewal and revitalization from illnesses or anxiety.
How to Choose the Perfect August Birthstone Jewelry
With three August birthstones to choose from, how do you select the right one for you or your loved one? Outside of considering which stone best represents you personally from their folkloric and symbolic meaning, there are a few other considerations to help choose the perfect birthstone jewelry.
● Style: The style of jewelry is a major choice to make when selecting your August birthstone. Do you want your birthstone to stand out in a modern piece or jewelry or vintage-inspired one? Are you wanting a pair of earrings, a bracelet, ring, or necklace?Consider the style and type of jewelry first to help select an August birthstone.
● Color: One of the major factors in any piece of birthstone jewelry is the color, especially when your month has several options like August does. Spinel has the most color options since the stone comes in a variety of shades like red, pink, blue, green, purple, and black. But, if you want the vibrant green of peridot or unique red-orange of sardonyx, those are other options available.
● Occasion: Next, consider the occasion for which you will wear the piece of jewelry. Are you shopping for an everyday accessory or a special piece of jewelry for more formal settings?
● Durability: All August birthstones are durable enough for everyday wear, but spinel is the toughest of them all. This birthstone is the most scratch-resistant since it ranks the highest on the Mohs scale of hardness. Peridot is the least durable out of the three stones, which means it’s the perfect birthstone for everyday pieces or special occasion ones.
Another perk to August birthstones is that they’re all the same when it comes to maintenance requirements. To care for each stone expertly and keep them in pristine condition, you should clean each stone every six months with a homemade solution of warm water and a few drops of gentle dish soap (never use chemical or harsh cleaners). Let the stones soak in the solution for at least ten minutes before scrubbing gently with a super soft brush to remove dirt and grime.
Shop August Birthstone Jewelry at Ferkos Fine Jewelry
Wear your birth month proudly with a new piece from Ferko’s. Explore our beautiful collection of August birthstones with peridot, sardonyx, and spinel jewelry ready to enhance your everyday styles or special occasions.