August Birthstones Part One
Did you know that August has multiple birthstones? Let’s take a look at the most unknown of the three.
What is August’s Third Birthstone?
Spinel is the most recently added birthstone to August. I have heard from many people that they don’t love the traditional apple-green color of Peridot, so it is nice to have a colorful alternative!
What Color Is Spinel?
Spinel comes in multiple colors, and you can choose which one you like for your birthstone.
There are deep reds that rival Ruby and vibrant pinks. Mysterious greys and blacks to all shades of purple, orange, blue, and violet through greenish blue.
Red Spinel can be so intense that it has often been mistaken for Ruby! In fact, the Black Prince’s Ruby in the England’s Imperial State Crown is actually a Spinel, not a ruby.
But, What is Spinel?
Gemstones fall into different classes of minerals based on its chemical make-up and its crystal structure, so even though the colors may look like other gemstones, they are completely different.
Spinel is a gemstone in its own mineral class.
Just like diamond, spinel is singly refractive and has an octahedron crystal structure, but its chemical make-up is very different, being made up of Magnesium, Aluminum, and Oxygen.
Spinel is an 8 on the Moh’s Hardness scale and a Good on the toughness scale which means this is a gemstone that is very durable to wear!
What Next?
I would love to help you explore the colors of Spinel with your special purchase or custom design! Angela Cisneros Jewelry Concierge brings back the joy and confidence of jewelry shopping, so that you can celebrate with ease! My by-appointment approach means:
One-on-one appointments (personal attention and no crowds!)
Discretion and privacy (surprises remain surprises!)
Expert help from a Graduate Gemologist with 29 years of experience (yep, that’s me!)
Learn more about me and my process: www.AngelaCisneros.com
Book your FREE appointment with me today! www.AngelaCisneros.com/book-appointment
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