Lets explore your Gem choices for August!
August births the Gatekeepers- the regal celestial Lions of the Northern & Southern Hemispheres!
At 1077Atelier we adore the Leonine jewels- yes, they are the incandescent and luminous green Peridot, the subtle russets of a banded Sardonyx and the very collectable and lustrous Spinel- these sit brightly in Leo’s crown.
Antique jewellery celebrates August with regal design and majestic opulence….
Peridot
Symbolically, the vibrant green hues of Peridot gemstone embodies vitality, protection and courage- often it’s inherent energy is felt like a burst of fresh vitality, much like the sun’s rays on a summer day!
It forms under extreme conditions, from hardened lava to meteorites. Peridot has a rich history- in ancient jewellery it was often confused with other gems like Topaz and Emerald. Interestingly, the Red Sea island of Topazios, which was believed to be a source of Topaz, actually produced Peridot. Even Cleopatra’s famous Emerald collection might have included Peridot! This gemstone has been valued across ancient and medieval cultures, adorning priests’ jewellery and gracing chalices in medieval Europe.
Although classed as a semi-precious gemstone, Peridot in it’s high quality form remains rare and fetches high values. The lesser quality stones are abundantly found, and set in gold and silver. It remained a favourite Victorian jewel and its green lustre was often offset with contrasting amethyst and pearls- as a collector keep an eye open for delicate and ornate Art Nouveau pendants…
Spinel
Exuding passion, mystery and resilience, and often mistaken for Ruby, red Spinel has gained appreciation as an alternative to the fiery Ruby gem. Its diverse colour range makes it a versatile choice. Spinel’s allure lies in its historical significance and unique properties. It’s a gem that captivates with its brilliance and charm. Imagine Night’s hidden depth’s- the enigmatic allure of Spinel echoes her veiled presence…
Spinel is a firm feature in Antique jewellery- often referred to as Ruby Spinel- it seemingly lost its value in late Victorian times when clear distinctions were made between the high value Ruby and Spinel. However, in modern times a full understanding of this gems unique properties has led to a huge upsurgence in its value and demand! Offering a staggering colour range, the rarest of the Spinels is the saturated Red and rare Blue Spinel- with a Moh’s hardness rivalling that of diamonds, it is a versatile and enduring gem- perfect for Heirloom Jewellery.
“A rare colored gem from one of the world’s most distinguished collections sold for nearly five times its high estimate at Bonhams London Fine Jewellery Sale Thursday.
The 50.13-carat Hope Spinel fetched $1.47 million at the auction, easily shattering its high estimate of $310,000. The gem set a world record for achieving a price of $30,000 per carat, nearly double the previous record.
The octagonal step-cut gem was owned by London banker Henry Philip Hope whose collection of approximately 700 gems included the Hope Diamond (The 45.52-carat blue diamond that is part of the permanent collection in the Smithsonian National Natural History Museum). He kept the collection until his death in 1839. It’s been 98 years since the spinel was last offered for sale.
The gem is set within decorative old brilliant and rose-cut diamond claws, framed by larger old brilliant-cut diamonds (total diamond weight 6.50 carats), mounted in silver and gold and worn as a brooch/pendant with detachable fittings. There’s a handwritten note in the case describing it as a “spinel-ruby” from the Hope Collection.
Forbes Magazine Sept. 2015”
Would you like to know more about collecting Spinels? Then head to Bonhams’ website and read “Collecting 101 – Spinels”
Sardonyx
The original ancient August birthstone, Sardonyx embodies unwavering strength, and boasts a history spanning over 4,000 years. This banded gemstone combines layers of sard (a reddish-brown variety of Chalcedony) and Onyx (black or white bands). Sardonyx symbolizes strength, resilience, and integrity. Ancient civilizations used it especially for intricate cameo carvings, signet rings, and protective amulets. Sardonyx reflects the balance between Day and Night—the steadfastness of the earth beneath the changing skies. A favourite with lovers of the warm embued semi- precious Chalcedony varieties- agates, carnelians etc., and a fitting pairing for the warm hearted Leos.
In jewellery, these gems intertwine like the eternal dance of light and darkness. Peridot’s vibrant green mirrors Day’s vitality, Spinel’s red echoes Night’s passion, and Sardonyx’s bands represent their harmonious coexistence. Wear them, and you embody the cosmic balance—a radiant soul with depths unexplored.
Wishing you a radiant August….
