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Birthstones

August birthstone: 20 seductive spinel jewellery pieces in every colour

We shine a spotlight on August’s highly underrated second stone, the dazzlingly versatile spinel

July Birthstone: 26 fiery ruby jewellery pieces for a red-hot summer

While the verdant greens of peridot may be more commonly associated with those born in high summer, over recent years a new gem has taken over as the August birthstone of choice: the spinel. Available in a rainbow of colours, this precious gem can be found in deep red, vibrant orange, lush purple, glowing green and various shades of blue, making it a gloriously diverse option. Here’s our edit of sparkling spinel jewellery pieces to celebrate August birthdays. 

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin
Margot McKinney

Over recent years, top jewellers have been eschewing peridot’s leafy green charms in favour of August’s second stone, the sparkling spinel, beloved for its magnificent brilliance and versatility. Best known for its rich reds – up until the late 18th century the stone was often mistaken for a ruby – it’s now found in a variety of dazzling hues and has long been revered by ancient gemstone merchants.

Originally sourced in Burma, the Burmese refer to the stone as ‘Nat Thwe’ – ‘polished by the spirits’ – due to its dazzling sparkle. Perhaps the most famous spinel of all is the one that sits at the heart of the Crown Jewels, an unpolished 361 carat red stone that was presented as a gift to Queen Victoria by The East India Company and set into a necklace by Garrard in 1853. To this day it remains one of the most historically significant jewels that the Queen owned.

The Glossary Edit

Spinel Jewellery

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

Bulgari

White gold, spinel, aquamarine & diamond High Jewellery ring
POA

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

Piaget

Gold, spinel & diamond High Jewellery
Limelight Sunlight Journey Cuff bracelet
POA

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

Ray Griffiths

Pink Spinel Edwardian Ring
$5,500

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

Lydia Courteille

Rose gold, spinel, rhodochrosite, Sapphire
& ruby Rosa Del Inca earrings
POA

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

Margot McKinney

Gold, spinel & diamond brooch
£75,000

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

Tiffany & Co.

Gold, platinum, spinels, aquamarines
& diamond Frilly Butterfly Brooch
POA

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

Chanel

Gold, spinel & diamond ‘1932’ ring
POA

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

Emily P Wheeler

Rose gold & spinel Unicorn Earrings
£18,696

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

Shaun Leane

Silver & Spinel ‘Blackthorn’ Triple Ring
£575

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

Chaumet

White gold, pink gold, spinel, sapphire,
tourmaline & diamond Escales earrings
POA

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

Van Cleef and Arpels

White gold, spinel, onyx & diamond
Aurore Noir & Blanc clip
POA

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

Kalthams Pavilion

spinel & diamond ring
£2,335

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

Rahaminov Diamonds

Platinum, spinel & diamond Cushion Cut Spinel Ring
POA

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

Nak Armstrong

Rose gold & spinel Ruffled Ear Lassos earrings
£7,900

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

Yi Collection

Gold, spinel & diamond Cascade earrings
£5,100

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

David Morris

White gold, spinel, pink opal
& diamond Electra ring
POA

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

Nakard

Sterling silver, spinel & opal Triple Line Earrings
£1,650

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

Greenwich St Jewelers

Gold & spinel Bequia Toi et Moi Ring
£995

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

Pippa Small

Gold & spinel ring
£2,085

Spinel Jewellery: Discover The New August BirthstonePin

Anne Sisteron

Gold & spinel Square ring
£2,317

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