August birthstones

I can't believe that we're already in the middle of August!  Where did the summer go?

Today, I thought I'd talk just a bit about August birthstones, since gems are always a fun topic!  The most well known birthstone for August is the Peridot.  Here are a couple of images of peridot: an image of rough stone in matrix, and a faceted one....

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peridot_olivine_on_basalt.JPG , user pyrope

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gemperidot.JPG , user Michelle Jo

Peridot is a magnesium and iron-rich silicate, and is sometimes known as chrysolite.  It can vary in colour depending on the amount of iron in the crystal, from yellow, to olive to a more brownish-green.  Occasionally, they can be darker, or a more pure green, but this is relatively rare.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peridot.jpg

The other main birthstone for August is the spinel.  Sometimes mistaken for  a ruby, it often has a pink to red colour. With crystals incorporating Magnesium and Aluminium, although its main colour is pink, you do sometimes find them in other colours including blue, green, yellow, brown, black, or violet.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spinel-sn27b.jpg

Know anyone with a birthday in August? Why not come see what we can design incorporating peridot or spinel for an extra special birthday gift!