Find out what makes your summer birthstone special!
Summer is a time for fun in the sun with friends, making new memories and embracing adventure. It’s a special season, and it often leaves us wishing there was a way to capture and wear a piece of summer year round. While we can’t exactly bottle up summer magic, we can get close with summer birthstones! Each of these gemstones perfectly encapsulates something special about the summer season. Summer is vibrant, full of color and life, and its birthstones match this vibe perfectly. They are some of the brightest, most vivid, and most unique gemstones out there. In this blog, we'll give you the rundown on each of the summer birthstones, both traditional and modern, so you can find the perfect piece of jewelry to keep you feeling sunny year-round.- What are the Summer Birthstones?
- Pearl: the June Birthstone
- Ruby: the July Birthstone
- Peridot: the August Birthstone Sapphire: the September Birthstone
- Sapphire: the September Birthstone
What are the Summer Birthstones?
The traditional summer birthstones are pearl, ruby, peridot, and sapphire (if you include September in your summer calendar). However, according to the International Gem Society, several of these months also have an alternate, “modern” birthstone (or two!) Each of these birthstones has its own unique qualities and history. Without further ado, let’s discover what makes each of these gemstones so captivating.Pearl: the June Birthstone
Perhaps the most unique gemstone on this list, June’s traditional birthstone is the only gem in existence that’s formed by animals rather than being mined from the earth. Each pearl is made by a member of the mollusk family, which includes several different species including certain clams and oysters. When exposed to irritants, mollusks secrete a special substance called nacre. This is the same material that makes a mollusk's shell, but under the right conditions, it can form a pearl.Their organic origins aren't the only thing that makes pearls special. Pearls also have a special finish that isn’t found anywhere else. There really is no other way to achieve true pearlescence without using natural pearls. It’s a characteristic that's often imitated, but nothing shines quite like a pearl.
The pearl birthstone symbolizes wisdom, purity, innocence, and love. The best-known and best-loved form of pearl birthstone jewelry is the stunning, timeless pearl necklace.
Moonstone
The moonstone is the first of the modern birthstones for June. This magnificent gem is renowned for its radiant glow, a phenomenon called adularescence by scientists. The finest moonstones shimmer with an iridescence that, under the right lighting, seems to emit a gentle glow.The moonstone birthstone symbolizes fresh beginnings, and to some it represents the potent energy of the moon. This enchanting gem is exceptionally rare and delicate, demanding special attention and care (though we think it’s worth the extra effort.) Moonstone is a perfect gem for the statement-makers–it will capture attention like no other.
Alexandrite
Last but certainly not least, we present the second modern June birthstone: alexandrite! The alexandrite birthstone represents fortune and luck. At the very least, you'll certainly feel lucky to wear one!This gemstone undergoes a mesmerizing color transformation depending on the lighting. The most coveted specimens appear green in daylight, but glow fiery red in incandescent light. Miners who initially discovered alexandrite famously dubbed them "emeralds by day, rubies by night."
These stones are the perfect bold choice for a pendant or cocktail ring. Once you get a taste, you’ll want to wear your alexandrite all the time. Thankfully, they're durable enough to be a go-to gemstone.
Ruby: the July Birthstone
There are few birthstones as perfectly suited for their month as rubies are for July. Rubies and July are like peanut butter and jelly–they just make sense together.July is one of the hottest months of the year, and ruby perfectly captures this energy with its range of warm red tones. The ruby is also symbolically associated with health, making it the perfect colorful companion for a month as lively and vibrant as July. Many ancient cultures even thought rubies were a key to long life, and believed they had protective properties. Nowadays, if you’re looking for anti-aging properties, we recommend sunscreen instead. However, shimmering red rubies can still bring out your natural glow.
Rubies are considered one of the ‘big four’ gemstones, a set of gems with particular historical and cultural importance. Because of this, it may come as no surprise that according to the International Gem Society, July has no alternative birthstones. The ruby birthstone sits center stage, soaking up all the attention it deserves.
Peridot: the August Birthstone
Peridot is a truly special stone, sometimes called the ‘sun gem’, or ‘evening emerald.’ It has been valued and admired for millenia, dating all the way back to the ancient Egyptians. It gets its name from the Arabic word faridat, meaning “gem.” Its unique double refraction gives it a mirror like effect, making it sparkle differently than any other gem.
The peridot birthstone comes in shades of light yellow-green which beautifully reflect late summer colors. Wearing one is like capturing the enchanting light of an August sunset and putting it on your finger. Peridot has been found in meteorites and stardust, giving it an almost supernatural quality.
The peridot is not only a traditional birthstone, but an anniversary gift as well. Meant to be given for the 16th anniversary, peridot symbolizes good fortune.
Spinel
Spinel comes from the Latin word for spine, a reference to its pointed crystals. It’s a durable gem, ranking at an 8 on the Mohs hardness scale (diamonds, the hardest mineral known to man, are a 10). Historically, pink and red spinels were often confused with rubies. They were only determined to be chemically different from rubies in 1783, after several centuries of mistaken identity.Originally marketed as a less expensive alternative to the ruby, spinel has become a sought-after stone in its own right. It’s no wonder why: this gorgeous gem comes in a rainbow of colors, from lavender purple to ink black. The people of Myanmar, where much of the world’s spinel is mined, refer to the spinel as , meaning “polished by the spirit."
Sardonyx
Sardonyx is the most ancient of the August birthstones. It is a combination of two types of chalcedony quartz: sard and onyx (you can see where it gets its name). Sard is typically dark orange or red, while onyx may be white or black. Its appearance is somewhat similar to that of the agate, another member of the chalcedony quartz gem family.Soft enough to carve but durable enough to wear, Romans were particularly fond of sardonyx. Roman soldiers wore sardonyx rings carved with images of Mars, the Roman god of war, in the hopes of protection in battle. Sardonyx was also frequently used to carve the cameo ornaments and jewelry which were so popular in the 19th century.
Sapphire: the September Birthstone
Technically, summer isn’t over until the end of September. Plus, who hasn’t experienced a September day just as warm and sunny as a day in the middle of July? But more than anything else, we’re including September on our list of summer months because we want to talk about its magnificent birthstone: the sapphire.Sapphires are a member of the corundum family of gems, alongside the ruby. Though it is most commonly depicted in royal blue, this gemstone comes in many brilliant shades. Sapphires in shades other than blue are referred to as ‘fancy sapphires.’ In fact, you can find sapphires in all colors except red–those would be rubies.
Before the diamond skyrocketed to popularity, the sapphire was considered the gemstone of royalty. It was also frequently used in bridal jewelry. Their durability and beauty is nearly unmatched in the world of gemstones, and their rarity makes them naturally desirable. The September birthstone represents trust, faithfulness, and truth.
Like its cousin the ruby, sapphire simply demands attention, and there are no officially sanctioned modern birthstones for September. But that’s alright–this stone is so beautiful, it needs no alternative.