August Birthstones, Peridot, Sardonyx, Spinel

 Peridot - 

Form and Structure 

Orthorhombic:  Useful cleaner and great for clearing: increases the flow of information 

opaque when raw, clear and  sparkly when polished

Mostly small shapes.

Peridot is the gem variety of the mineral olivine. Its chemical composition includes iron and magnesium, and iron is the cause of its attractive yellowish green colors. The gem often occurs in volcanic rocks called basalts, which are rich in these two elements.

Peridot is also found near meter sites - one specifically in Siberia, 1749. There were enough large pieces to make large pieces of jewelry. 

Color - olive green, or yellow -green stone, brown

Geography

Brazil, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka USA

Moh’s - 6.5-7

History and legend

Peridot is named after the French word peridot, meaning gold, because the mineral can vary towards this color. 

It is also the stone given celebrate the 16th year of marriage. 

Peridot is the National gem of Egypt - the Gem of the Sun

Peridot has a very long written history. Ancient papyri record the mining of these stones as early as 1500 BC. The main source of peridot in the ancient world was Topaz Island( now Zabargad or St. John’s Island) in the Egyptian Red Sea. In ancient times , peridot stones were used for carved talismans. Island habitants were forced to collect the gems for the pharaohs treasury. Legend says that jealous watchers who had orders to put to death any trespassers guarded the entire island. The story continues that the miners worked in the daytime as well as night, as the gems could be found after nightfall due to their radiance. The miners would mark the spot at night for retrieval the following day. 

https://www.jewelsforme.com/peridot-meaning

Ckakras - Heart & Solar Plexus

This stone helps to clear out anger, frustration, jealousy, guilt and bitterness. It helps to bring out the beautiful sparkly you, giving you confidence and self awareness. Peridot assists with forgiveness of self and others. 

Physical/Emotional 

Assists with clearing old life patterns to encourage new experiences. 

encourages mental clarity 

Healing Effects

In healing layouts, place new stones over the heart or solar plexus chakras

Place stones on the left and right sides of the body in order to cleanse the aura

Personal Uses

Pendant - over the heart to attract love into your life

Sardonyx

Mineral - Microcrystalline, banded chalcedony

Color - Red and white or black and white

Moh’s 6.6-7

Chakra - Root & Sacral 

Geology - Brazil, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Madagascar, Uruguay and the United States

Sardonyx is a multi-colored variety of banded onyx, which is a form of chalcedony quartz. Normally, onyx bands are black but in the form of sardonyx they have alternating reddish-brown and white parallel bands. The orange and black bands form as a blended mixture of onyx and orange carnelian.

History

Sardonyx can be traced back four thousand years to Ancient Egypt. For most of its history, this stone has been used to create cameos and intaglios. In Ancient Rome, women wore sardonyx necklaces with cameos of Venus in hopes of harnessing the power of the goddess of love. It was also common for soldiers to wear sardonyx rings and carvings containing images of Mars, the god of war, into battle as a means of protection. Sardonyx was also a popular stone for Roman seals and signet rings that were used to imprint wax emblems on official documents because hot wax doesn't stick to this stone.

Sardonyx is an agate whose banding is straight and parallel. Much like agate, it is dyed to enhance or change its colors. Dyeing agate was an art practiced by the Romans from early on, but it reached perfection in the 1820s in Oberstein, Germany. That town is still the world's center for the finest cutting and dyeing of agate. Although the details of the process remain a commercial secret, it is known that iron oxide is a pigment used to create the rich combination of deep orange-reds in red and white bullseye sardonyx and in the red and white-banded variety. Carbon is used to create the striking deep black banding in black and white banded sardonyx. The effects are stunning--ancient agate beads in rich colors perfect for blending with solid colored red or black beads.

metaphysical properties

Much of the black and white-banded sardonyx's power comes from its association with a particular body type--slender, quick-moving people who are intellectually active. If you're clever, versatile, highly verbal and have an optimistic disposition, those traits may be heightened when you wear black and white-banded sardonyx. Or, you can wear it to help you control one of those traits if it's working against you. Some believe that placing sardonyx at each corner of a house will protect against evil.

https://www.firemountaingems.com/resources/encyclobeadia/gem-notes/gmstnprprtssrdn

Spinel

Form & Structure 

Cubic with pyramid shaped points, with small spiny formations, glass like transparency. Larger examples are found in marble.

Spinel, typically red, sometimes pink. It is magnesium aluminum oxide, like Ruby, Spinel obtains it color from chromium. 

Geography 

Afganistan, Brazil, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka 

Rarity

Available by gem specialists

Moh’s  8 

Chakra - Root

History & legends

Until recently all red stones were considered Ruby. 

A 170 ct red spinel is set in the Imperial State Crown - Tower of London. https://www.gia.edu/birthstones/august-birthstones 

This stone was was obtained by the Black Prince in the fourteenth century as ‘payment’ for his military services in Spain, A Moorish Prince of Granada had originally owned it. The stone was set in the helmet of Henry V who wore it ar the battle of Agincourt 1415. In 1485 Richard III wore it at the battle of Bosworth field. In the early seventeenth century James I had the stone set in the State crown. In 1660 the spinel was set in the new state crown. 

Red Spinel, along with other red gems was though to be remedy for all types of blood loss and inflammatory diseases. 

Physical/Emotional Uses

Spinel has an energizing effect on the body and mind, creating a positive outlook and a refreshed approach in the future. 

Healing Effects

Spinel is grounding and cleansing healing layouts. It is used on the base of the spine, over the pubic bone, or between the feet as an ‘anchor’ to prepare the body for spiritual expansion. 

Personal uses

Place in your workspace to encourage inspiration 

Sources  - GIA, JewelsForme, Fire Mountain Gems, The Crystal Experience - Judy Hall, Crystals - Jennie Harding 

Have a wonderful week! Keep your hearts open and aligned with the energy of LOVE!

Auriel Grace