August's Birthstones: Peridot and Spinel
I never thought I would fall in love with August's birthstone. But I did. Peridot! With a shade of green that sings of grassy meadows and childhood summertime. This very special gemstone brightens any palette, and is surprisingly useful as a "neutral" with a host of other colored gemstones.
And then there is August's alternate — spinel. And black spinel is its own little wonder of a gemstone when it comes to versatility. Mysterious, elegant, and with surprising sparkle. So let's get to it!
Peridot, the traditional August birthstone
Peridot is one of the few gemstones that comes in only one color — green. But what a green. That medium, grassy green — bright, lit from within. Gemologists call this quality "vitreous luster" — I call it the reason you can't stop looking at it.
A few things worth knowing: Peridot forms deep in the earth's mantle, volcanic activity brings it to the surface, and it's even been found in meteorites. With a 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, peridot is durable enough for jewelry, though it requires a little care like most gemstones (of course!).
I also think of peridot as primarily an American gemstone. While it's found across the globe, Arizona in particular is known for its peridot deposits and beautiful stones.
Another interesting point. Peridot's inclusions are intriguing. Some appear as tiny lily pads — yes, exactly what you're imagining — and others show up as fine black specks, like a sprinkle of pepper. Neither is unusual, and in the right gemstone and the right design, inclusions add character.
The allure of peridot
As interesting as peridot's inclusions are, my own preference runs toward stones that are as clean to the eye as possible, in that slightly deeper, medium grassy green or lime green that first made me fall for this stone.
Because the finest peridot comes in small sizes — the high-quality stones I insist on tend to run 3-4mm — it lends itself to delicate, layered designs where the color does the heavy lifting. It also adds that certain "je ne sais quoi" in multicolor designs. It can feel absolutely essential, yet a little peridot goes a long way.
Spiritually, peridot has long been associated with warmth, positivity, and abundance. It was called "the gem of the sun" by ancient Egyptians. Hard to argue with that when you hold one up to the light.
Black spinel — August's alternate birthstone
Spinel comes in a range of colors — red, pink, blue, lavender — and for centuries it was confused with other gemstones. The famous "Black Prince's Ruby" in the British Imperial State Crown? Spinel.
The spinel that I use most often is black spinel, with its opaque, rich and intense black. And when faceted, black spinel has a sparkle that is almost mirror-like.
It's worth noting that fine specimens in larger sizes are rare. And while you'll find coated black spinel on the market (various surface treatments for special effects), that's just not my thing as a designer. The stones I use are natural and untreated, which is my preference.
The allure of black spinel
While I'm an admirer of spinel's range of colors (red spinel is impressive), I turn to black spinel on the regular. It's a great goes-everywhere gemstone much like pearls, especially in more mysterious, dramatic or nighttime jewelry, albeit at the opposite end of the styling spectrum.
And here's the thing about black in jewelry. We all wear it. Black goes with everything. And in a pinch, that's what we grab for, which makes black spinel one of the most versatile gemstones you can own. And given the way it sparkles when faceted, it never comes across as flat, dull, or heavy.
In my designs, black spinel pairs beautifully with almost any colored gemstone or pearl — it grounds a piece without overpowering it. It works with every tone of metal, so I use it with 14K gold fill as well as sterling. And as a layering stone? Exceptional. A black spinel necklace is the one you reach for when you can't decide what else to wear.
Spiritually, black spinel has long been associated with protection — thought to deflect negative energy, provide grounding energy, and promote resilience as well as calm. It's a gemstone to reach for in stressful times, and if you ask me, anytime — for its beauty and versatility.
By the way...
By the way, here are two very different 20th century visual artists who share August birthdays. The first, Andy Warhol, needs little introduction. His Pop art paintings, photography and film work really defined an era for some of us, and his Campbell's soup cans and celebrity portraits remain iconic, even today.
The second is an artist I would love for you to discover: Mexican painter Rufino Tamayo. His boldly colored paintings and prints are filled with imagery spanning a remarkable range of subjects from inviting to unsettling. It's gorgeous, strange, and worth your time.
Jewelry shown above: