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Birthstone Guide for August – Peridot

If you were born in August, your birthstone is the peridot. The olive-coloured stone can be found in a wide range of jewellery, and is one of the only gemstones to come only in one colour.

In this article, we explain what the peridot stone symbolises and where it can be found:

What does the peridot stone symbolise?

The peridot (usually pronounced with an audible ‘t’, but occasionally pronounced with a silent ‘t’) symbolises truth, love and dignity. It’s also the stone that is said to help with fame, and to offer protection. If you’re born in August then you might be interested in singing, dancing and performing and there are many that believe that peridot jewellery will help you to reach your goals of fame and fortune.

Peridot is also said to promote successful relationships, and is ideal as an anniversary gift as well as a birthday gift for people born in August.

Where is peridot found?

Peridot has been mined since as early as 1500BC. It’s commonly found in Egypt. Cleopatra was famed for wearing emeralds, but in fact it’s possible that she actually had peridot jewellery as the two are similar in colour.

Peridot, like diamond, forms in the magma of the planet’s mantle, rather than within the crust closer to the surface. Once formed, it’s moved up by the natural movement of the tectonic plates or is carried to the surface during a volcanic eruption. For that reason, peridot is mostly found along the planet’s fault lines.

Amazingly, peridot hasn’t just been found here on planet Earth. It’s also been brought to Earth from space, within comet dust, and has been found to be a component in many of the meteorites formed at the birth of our solar system.

Why give peridot jewellery?

Peridot is an attractive yellow-green stone that can be used in particularly beautiful pieces of jewellery, like our peridot heart pendant and our peridot drop earrings. As well as being the August birthstone, it’s the 15th wedding anniversary stone which means that peridot jewellery can be purchased for both occasions.

Alternatively, why not pick jewellery with a peridot stone for any other occasion, simply because it’s a beautiful olive-green accessory?

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Birthstone Guide for June – Pearl

The birthstone for June is the pearl – one of nature’s wonders. Whilst some pearls are incredibly expensive and valuable, it’s now easy to find real pearl jewellery at a fraction of the price thanks to carefully developed pearl farming techniques.

Here, we provide a little more detail about the creation of pearls and why you don’t need to empty your bank account to afford beautiful real pearl accessories like earrings, pendants and bracelets.

How are pearls made?

A naturally formed pearl is created underwater, inside the shell of an oyster. To us pearls are beautiful stones used in jewellery and accessories, but to the oyster the pearl is a defence mechanism.

Oysters create pearls to trap bits of sand or grit that find their way into the oyster’s shell, and typically act as an irritant. Pearls are formed layer by layer, and the process can take a decade.

Natural pearls are hard to find, but it’s possible to ‘culture’ or ‘farm’ pearls, typically in fresh water, by inserting a grain of sand or larger object into the shell of a mollusc. Most cultured pearls are grown around a bead, creating a relatively smooth, spherical pearl that can be made in as little as six months. The size of the bead used also influences the final size of the pearl, which means that this can be controlled as long as the molluscs used are of a suitable size.

How do freshwater cultured pearls look?

If you’re buying jewellery online, using the Delicate Dreams website, then your purchase is likely to feature a freshwater cultured pearl. They come in a wide variety of colours, typically with a marbled effect, and include imperfections or ‘pitting’ formed as part of the natural process.

Entirely smooth and rounded pearls are valuable and expensive, whilst cultured pearls with slight imperfections are available for a much lower price as costume jewellery or a more reasonably-priced accessory.

The pearl farmer can control the size and shape of the pearl, creating round pearls like the ones used for this single pearl pendant, or oval-shaped like the pearls used for our white mother of pearl bracelet. Flat, coin-shaped pearls can also be easily produced.

What colours can pearls be?

If left to grow naturally, pearls are usually white or a light pink or purple. Typically, these pale colours will all form together as part of a marbled effect, though it is possible to get perfectly white, pink and lavender pearls that have been produced without human input.

Pearls can also be dyed to produce a stronger colour or to change their colour completely. Almost any colour can be used, from a sophisticated black to bright green or blue.

What does the June birthstone mean?

Pearls are said to symbolise purity, modesty and loyalty. They’ve been used in jewellery for hundreds of years, and have been worn by everyone from Anne Boleyn to Kate Middleton. Pearls are a classic accessory, which means that high-quality pearl jewellery is often passed down from generation to generation as something of a family heirloom.

Why not take a look at some of the pearl jewellery that we sell, with fast delivery as the perfect gift for June birthdays?

We’ve also added a board to Pinterest that features celebrities wearing pearls. Do you have anyone for us to add?

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A Guide to Birthstones and Their Meanings

Do you know your birthstone? Do you know what it stands for, or where it comes from? We’ve put together a little birthstone guide, to help you to pick out the right piece of jewellery for a loved one’s birthday. Of course, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with buying a piece of jewellery with a completely different stone simply because you think it’s a nice little accessory!

January – Garnet

The garnet is a red stone, typically quite dark though it’s also possible to find bright red garnets. The garnet stone symbolises faithfulness, truth and purity.

February – Amethyst

February’s birthstone is the amethyst – a beautiful purple coloured stone that’s said to symbolise strength, courage and calmness.

March – Aquamarine

The March birthstone is the ocean-coloured aquamarine stone, which is said to represent friendship, communication and an ability to come up with a quick response. You might agree if you have a witty friend or relative born in March!

April – Diamond

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Especially if that girl is born in April. The diamond is said to represent clarity, inner strength and abundance. Did you know that diamond stones were historically also used as a cure for poisoning? They’re seen as the ‘clean’ stone.

May – Emerald

The emerald is the birthstone of people born in May. It’s associated with memory, faith and clairvoyance. It’s said to enhance mental power and spirituality.

June – Pearl

The birthstone for June is the pearl. It’s associated with modesty, purity and loyalty – all very positive traits! People with pearl as their birthstone are said to have integrity.

July – Ruby

Were you born in July? In that case, the ruby is your birthstone. The ruby is said to promote happiness, vitality and confidence, meaning that people in July are known for their energy and their lively, positive outlook.

August – Peridot

The August birthstone is the sea green peridot – a symbol of love, truth and dignity. The peridot stone is said to offer protection and fame, perfect for any budding star!

September – Sapphire

Your birthstone if you were born in September is the sapphire. It’s said to make your reliable, to give you the powers of insight and to help you to better interpret the world around you. People with sapphire as their birthstone are said to be sincere and honest.

October – Opal

The opal is the birthstone for October. What’s interesting about the opal stone is that it typically reflects a myriad of other colours. It’s said to enhance the imagination, to promote positive dreams and to encourage hope.

November – Topaz

The topaz is the traditional birthstone for November. It’s said to help to balance emotions, and to release tension and lower stress whilst promoting feelings of happiness. The topaz stone has long been thought to have a calming influence.

December – Turquoise

The birthstone for December is the turquoise stone which is thought to promote success, prosperity and good fortune. People born in December are said to be particularly creative!

Why not take a look at our jewellery featuring traditional birthstones? We’ve got a lovely selection of birthstone jewellery available here.