Birthstones for August - Peridot and Sardonyx

There are two birthstones for the month of August: peridot and sardonyx. The colour of peridot can vary from yellowish green to brown, but most people prefer the bright lime greens and olive greens. Small sizes of peridot tend to be used for beaded necklaces and bracelets. It is claimed that peridot has magical powers and healing properties that can help protect people against nightmares and bring them power, influence, and a good year ahead. Peridot is formed beneath the earth’s surface and brought up by volcanic lava. In Hawaii, peridot represents Pele’s tears, who is the goddess of fire and volcanoes. Peridot can also be found in Arizona, China, Myanmar and Pakistan. Sardonyx is a variant of onyx and has reddish-brown and white bands. It is thanks to these attractive-looking bands that sardonyx has been used for cameos and intaglios since the olden days. Sardonyx talismans with engraved images of heroes like Mars and Hercules were popular amongst the ancient Greeks and Romans, as they believed it would bring them courage and victory in battle. Sardonyx can be found around the world, including India, Czechoslovakia, Brazil, Uruguay, Germany and the US. Source: http://www.americangemsociety.org/august-birthstones