Welcome to August. Most people would agree it is the hottest month of the year, so keep those air conditioners pumping.

To help you August babies remove the negative energy you will excerpt when you see your energy bill, just know that August birthstones are a symbol of self-esteem, self-confidence, happiness, and love, and passion. Now, doesn’t that make you feel more peaceful?

August-born folks are unique because they don’t have a single birthstone. In fact, they have three, namely peridot, spinel, and sardonyx. Originally, sardonyx was the only birthstone for people born in August with a history of over 4,000 years. Later, peridot was added to the list and it became August’s primary gemstone. In 2016, a third birthstone, spinel, was added to the list. The addition of spinel made August one of the three months of the year represented by three different birthstones.  

Sardonyx 

Sardonyx is considered one of the holiest stones with a long history and you might have seen it appearing in breastplates of higher Church officials and priests. And while we are on the subject of spirituality, Sardonyx is thought to give you self-esteem and motivate you towards achieving your goals. 

Sardonyx is a combination of two types of chalcedony – onyx, and sard and that’s how it gets its name. It can be found in several colors ranging from orange to dark orange, red and black. Its formation is unique as it is formed through the layering of sard and onyx under intense pressure conditions for several thousand years and subsequently, the stone appears with different colored bands that are highly defined and look like a mix of different colors. You can also find sardonyx that is stained with iron oxide dye or nitric acid to enhance its color. 

Sardonyx has a glass-like appearance and has a Mohs hardness that ranges between 6.5 and 7. 

Where is Sardonyx Found?

The finest sardonyx comes from India and has a distinct appearance with contrasting colors. And while the stone is readily found around the world, some of the largest supplies come from Madagascar, Brazil, Germany, and Uruguay. The easy availability of the gemstone is reflected in its inexpensive price. It is commonly used in intaglios, broaches as well as cameos. 

Taking Care of Your Sardonyx 

If you look at the physical characteristics of sardonyx, it is relatively hard; however, it can easily get scratched without proper care. Hence, when using this gemstone as part of your jewelry, it’s best to keep it clean using a mild soap and brush followed by a quick rinse using clean water. 

If you are not actively using sardonyx and it’s a part of your broach then you need to store it in a box with a fabric lining. Make sure it stays away from direct sunlight also or else the color of the stone can fade. 

Peridot 

Another gemstone with a ‘glass-like’ luster was added to the list of August birthstones. Similar to sardonyx, peridot has a long history dating back to Medieval times. From being a part of precious jewelry to being a talisman with special protective powers, peridot has come a long way. Its spiritual meaning is self-confidence, love, and the ability to stay happy and positive. Today, peridot is considered precious because of its unique beauty and rarity. 

Peridot is a variety of the abundantly available mineral called olivine, which has a chemical composition of magnesium and iron. However, gem-quality peridot is rare because of its chemical instability on the Earth’s surface. 

The iron content in the gemstone gives it a unique green color which ranges from clear pale green to dark emerald green color. Apart from the distinct color, peridot is also known for its glass-like shine that makes it a beautiful addition to your piece of jewelry. The finest quality peridot has a deep green color and exceptional transparency. 

On Mohs’ scale of hardness, peridot averages around 6.5 and 7 which makes it a fairly hard gemstone. 

Where is Peridot Found?

Peridot is widely available in several countries including Norway, Brazil, China, Myanmar and South Africa, and some other countries. 

Taking Care of Your Precious Stone 

When it comes to taking care of your peridot, know that it’s a fairly hard gemstone. However, it is still a softer material if you want to wear it as part of your everyday jewelry. The precious stone can get damaged by some acids or exposure to acid rain. Moreover, cleaning your peridot is also a delicate process that requires special care. If you intend to clean your precious stone at home, clean it with mild soap and a soft brush which is the safest way to go about it. When not in use, don’t forget to store your jewelry with peridot in fabric-lined boxes, or else the stone can be scratched by other metals and stones with greater hardness.  

Spinel 

The most recent addition to the list of August birthstones is spinel that comes in a variety of colors ranging from intense red to vibrant pink, orange, purple, blue, and green. Due to its similarity with rubies, spinel has long been mistakenly considered a ruby. The color of the stone is determined by the concentration of trace minerals including chromium, cobalt, and iron. Given the variety of colors, the stone is available in, it can be a perfect addition to any collection and can be a favorite stone for people with almost all tastes. Spinel symbolizes passion and devotion and is supposed to give you increased energy. 

Unlike the other two August birthstones, spinels are quite hard, registering as 8.0 on Mohs’s scale of hardness.  

Where is Spinel Found?

The precious stone is found in several locations worldwide. Some of the major sources of spinel come from Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Vietnam, Tanzania, Myanmar, and Pakistan. 

Taking Care of Your Precious Stone 

Since spinel registers as 8.0 on Mohs’ scale, it’s relatively easy to take care of it; however, it is still important to handle it with care. Avoid the exposure of spinel to direct sunlight, acid, and hot water. Mild soap and water is always the safest way to clean the stone and keep it in the best condition. 

If spinel is part of your everyday jewelry, it is fairly resistant but when not in use, it’s best to store it separately to avoid scratching from other metals and harder gemstones. 

Sardonyx, peridot, and spinel are the three unique birthstones that are best suited to individuals born in August. Now that you know a lot about the three August birthstones and where they come from, it’s a good time to get inspired by adding one to your gemstone collection or present it to someone special born in August.