Move over Peridot, Spinel Named New August Birthstone

The Haute Minute

By Roberta Naas Peridot just got bumped. Well, to be fair - it only got pushed aside. For the first time in more than 100 years, a new stone has been added to the birthstone lineup. Spinel is now officially also an August stone – giving lucky Leos (and a few Virgos born late in August) a choice in color.

Gold and spinel earrings by Carrelle New York.

Peridot just got bumped. Well, to be fair, the light green stone still maintains its place as the August birthstone, but for the first time in more than 100 years, a new stone has been added to the birthstone lineup. Spinel is now officially also an August stone – giving lucky Leos (and a few Virgos born late in August) a choice in color.

Omi Privé 18K rose gold ring featuring a 4.01 ct. cushion-cut pink Spinel accented with Spinel melee (.52 ctw.), Diamond melee (.82 ctw.) and a .01 ct. Alexandrite. $50,000 — Omi Privé 18K rose gold ring featuring a 4.01 ct. cushion-cut pink Spinel accented with Spinel melee (.52 ctw.), Diamond melee (.82 ctw.) and a .01 ct. Alexandrite.
$50,000

Spinel is most frequently found in a ruby red color or dark pink, but the stone actually can be found in a painter’s pallet of colors that include lavender, orange, blue and even gray. The stone, generally mined in Burma, Brazil, Thailand and Tanzania, graces many Crown jewels in Britain, including the British Imperial State Crown that was said to hold the Black Prince Ruby, which, it turns out, is actually spinel.

Erica Courtney 18K Yellow Gold “Duchess” ring featuring a 4.31ct pink Spinel, accented with 0.66ctw pink Sapphire and 0.36ctw Diamonds $27,200 — Erica Courtney 18K Yellow Gold “Duchess” ring featuring a 4.31ct pink Spinel, accented with 0.66ctw pink Sapphire and 0.36ctw Diamonds
$27,200

The addition of spinel to the official birthstone lineup that was established in 1912 by Jewelers of America was the doing of Jewelers of America and the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA).

AG Gems 2.21 carat, natural Purple Spinel, flanked by two natural half-moon cut Violet Spinels, accented by 20 Pink Sapphires 0.52 ctw, and 12 diamonds totaling 0.22 ctw. Made in 18K white gold. $8,500 — AG Gems 2.21 carat, natural Purple Spinel, flanked by two natural half-moon cut Violet Spinels, accented by 20 Pink Sapphires 0.52 ctw, and 12 diamonds totaling 0.22 ctw. Made in 18K white gold.
$8,500

In This Story

AG Gems AGTA birthstones Carrelle NY Erica Courtney Jewelers of America Omni Prive peridot

Roberta Naas

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Move Over Peridot, Spinel is the New August Birthstone

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