AGTA & JA Add Spinel as Official August Birthstone

(IDEX Online News) – The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) and Jewelers of America (JA) have announced that spinel will be added to the birthstones’ list for the month of August.

The new birthstone will launch to consumers in July, through a public relations and marketing campaign led by the JA, which established the modern birthstone list in 1912.

Two important spinel stones include the 170-carat red spinel, known as the “Black Prince Ruby,” which is set in the Imperial State Crown of the British Crown Jewels and a 398-carat red spinel, believed to be the largest ever found, which was commissioned by Catherine the Great in 1763 and is set in the Imperial Crown of Russia.

AGTA president Jeffrey Bilgore said that spinel was enjoying a surge of popularity, largely due to its wide array of colors.

"At certain moments in history, when there is a strong call from gem enthusiasts to expand the list of official birthstones, Jewelers of America believes in recognizing the importance of historically significant gemstones and giving gemstone lovers a choice that suites their preferences," said JA President & CEO David J. Bonaparte. "Spinel is a welcome addition to August's peridot birthstone, sure to be embraced by both jewelers and the jewelry consuming public."

This will be the third update to the birthstone list. In 1952, alexandrite, citrine, tourmaline and zircon were added, and again in 2002, when Tanzanite was selected as an additional December birthstone.