Discover the beauty of August's birthstone, peridot. Learn about its history, meaning, care, and shop stunning peridot jewelry at Roman Jewelers.

Ruby, the birthstone for July, is treasured for its rich red color, remarkable durability, and timeless symbolism. Learn about its history, meaning, care, and how to choose the perfect ruby jewelry for a birthday, anniversary, or special occasion.  

Discover the beauty of pearls with our guide to understanding pearl quality, types, colors, and styles. Learn what makes pearls unique and explore timeless jewelry inspiration from Roman Jewelers.

Peridot, August Birthstone, is also a choice for many fashionable designers and featured in our cases at Roman Jewelers.The vivid green of the peridot (pronounced pear-a-doe), with just a slight hint of gold, is the ideal gemstone color to go with that light summer wardrobe. No wonder – since the peridot is the gemstone of the summer month of August.The peridot is a very old gemstone, and one that has never gone out of fashion. It is also ancient-- found in Egyptian jewelry from the early 2nd millennium B.C.. The stones used at that time came from a deposit on a small volcanic island in the Red Sea, some 45 miles off the Egyptian coast, which was not rediscovered until about 1900 and has since been exhausted. A few years ago, however, peridot deposits were located in the Kashmir region of Pakistan and the stones from these deposits have an incomparably beautiful color and transparency.The ancient Romans were also fond of this gemstone and esteemed its radiant green shine, which does not change even in artificial light. For that reason they nicknamed it the 'emerald of the evening' . An interesting fact about the peridot is that it is one of the few gemstones which come in one color only--a rich, green color with the slight tinge of gold is caused by very fine traces of iron. The intensity of the color depends on the amount of iron actually present and can vary over all shades of yellowish green and olive, and even to a brownish green. August's birthstone adds a wonderful variant to the color spectrum of green gemstones, a color so uplifting and versitile.

By: Robin Lefkowitz-Huska, Guest Blogger The garnet gemstone is often associated with its deep red hue, but one of the most common misconceptions is that garnets only exist in shades of red, ranging from rust-colored to deep violet-red. In reality, garnet refers to a large group of rock-forming minerals that occur in a rich palette of colors—from burgundy red to light, translucent green. Among all garnet colors, the rarest are blue, colorless, and those that change color under different lighting conditions. Garnets were first discovered in Madagascar in the late 1990s. Since then, deposits have been found in many countries including the United States, Russia, Brazil, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Turkey. The word “garnet” originates from the 14th-century Middle English word gernet, meaning dark red. It is derived from the Latin word granatum, meaning seed—an allusion to the gemstone’s resemblance to the deep red seeds of a pomegranate. January’s Birthstone Those born in January are fortunate to have the beautiful and diverse garnet as their birthstone. While garnets are commonly red, they also appear in stunning shades of orange, yellow, purple, and green. Some rare garnets even change color—from blue to purple—under different lighting conditions. Many believe the true value of the garnet birthstone lies in its ability to bring good health, wealth, and happiness to its wearer. History In ancient Rome, garnets were set into signet rings worn by clergy and nobility to seal important documents with wax. The Victorians popularized garnet jewelry by creating elaborate statement pieces made with clusters of tiny red garnets. During the Middle Ages, garnets were worn as protective amulets by soldiers and were believed to ward off disease and aid healing. Red garnets adorned Egyptian royalty and were buried with mummified bodies as treasured possessions for the afterlife. Garnet was believed to be one of the four precious stones given to King Solomon by God. Garnets have been found as beads in necklaces dating back to 3000 B.C. Garnets rank between 6.5 and 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. The philosopher Plato had his portrait engraved on a garnet. Demantoid garnet is among the rarest and most valuable varieties, discovered in mid-1800s Russia. January-Born Celebrities January is filled with famous birthdays, including Elvis Presley, Justin Timberlake, Oprah Winfrey, David Bowie, Stephen Hawking, Zayn Malik, Howard Stern, Orlando Bloom, Patrick Dempsey, Ellen DeGeneres, Jackie Robinson, and Kerry Washington. Shop Roman Jewelers’ Gabriel & Co. full selection of garnet jewelry here. References https://www.gia.edu/garnet-history-lore

Brief History of Birthstones Birthstones—gemstones assigned to each month—are an ancient tradition. They trace back to the Breastplate of Aaron as described in the Book of Exodus. In the 5th century A.D., a connection was made between the twelve stones in the Breastplate and the twelve signs of the zodiac. It was believed that each gemstone held special powers associated with its astrological sign. People believed that wearing all twelve stones throughout the year, alternating them monthly, had healing effects. The concept of wearing a gemstone corresponding to one’s birth month is much more modern. Scholars trace this tradition to 18th-century Poland, following the arrival of Jewish gem traders. The modern list of birthstones was officially defined in 1912 in the United States. Modern Birthstones Today, we still wear many of the original twelve gems. Although the list of birthstones has evolved, their significance remains unchanged. Wearing one’s birthstone is a meaningful form of self-expression, and jewelry designers continue to draw inspiration from these timeless gems. Birthstone jewelry also makes thoughtful, personalized gifts. Find the stone that corresponds to your birth month—or that of a loved one—below: January – Garnet February – Amethyst March – Aquamarine April – Diamond May – Emerald June – Pearl July – Ruby August – Peridot September – Sapphire October – Opal November – Topaz or Citrine December – Tanzanite or Turquoise

August is my favorite month because it evokes so much emotion—we know summer is coming to an end, yet there is still time to enjoy it. And soon enough, the excitement of fall will arrive in New Jersey! Peridot reminds me of all of this, making it the perfect birthstone for August. Peridot ranges in color from light yellowish green to deep brownish green. It is an abundant gemstone and proudly made in the USA, with most peridot mined in Arizona. The brightest lime and olive green shades are considered the most prized. Since ancient times, peridot has been believed to possess healing powers and offer protection against nightmares. It is also the traditional gemstone gifted for a 16th wedding anniversary. In Hawaii, peridot is known as a volcanic gem, formed in the deep fires of the earth and treasured as the tears of Pele, the goddess of volcanoes. One entire beach in Oahu is composed of peridot sand, worn to powder by the ceaseless ocean. Pele’s gift of peridot is thought by many to not only heal but also bring wealth and growth. As the days grow shorter and summer begins to fade, notice how peridot continues to sparkle just as brilliantly at night as it does in the sun.