Can’t Get Enough of August’s Newest Birthstone, Spinel It has been one year since AGTA partnered with JA (Jewelers of America) and announced that Spinel would become an official birthstone for the month of August! Here at AGTA, we can’t get enough Spinel, the newest additional birthstone! Below are some interesting facts about Spinel: Color: rich red, beautiful blue, orange, and pastel shades of pink and purple Hardness: 8 Locations: Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Vietnam Interesting Fact: Ironically red Spinels, often referred to in ancient texts as balas Rubies, are actually more rare than Ruby but, unlike Ruby, they can sometimes be found in very large sizes. So the spectacular “Rubies” owned by Tamerlane, the Mongol conqueror, Henry VIII of England, and Peter the Great of Russia are all Spinels. Spinel has been a favorite gemstone at the AGTA Spectrum Awards™! Below are two winners from last year’s competition: AGTA Member, Niveet Nagpal of Omi Gems, Inc. won 1st AGTA Member, Caroline Chartouni of Caroline C won 3rd Place in the Classical category of the 2016 Summer AGTA Place in the Bridal Wear category of the 2016 Summer Spectrum Awards™ with this gorgeous 18K rose gold ring AGTA Spectrum Awards™ with these beautiful 18K white featuring a 4.01 ct. cushion-cut pink Spinel accented with gold earrings featuring red Spinels (2.21 ctw.) accented Spinel melee (.52 ctw.), Diamond melee (.82 ctw.) and a .01 with Diamonds (5.01 ctw.). ct. Alexandrite. Add More Color To Your Life with these Spinels Left: 4.88 ct. Tanzanian Mahenge Spinel from AGTA Member, B & B Fine Gems; Center: 18K white and yellow gold ring featuring a 16.0 ct. color change Spinel accented with Sapphires from AGTA Member, Somewhere in the Rainbow Gem & Jewelry Collection; Right: 1.63 ct. Burmese Spinel from AGTA Member, Barker & Company Top Left: 24K yellow gold and 14K antique white patina and silver earrings featuring blue Spinels from AGTA Member, Victor –Christy Studios, Inc.; Top Left Center: 6.10 ct. Spinel from AGTA Member, Evan Caplan; Top Right Center: 21.97 ct. unheated vivid red Spinel from AGTA Member, 100% Natural, LTD.; Top Right: 18K yellow gold pendant featuring a 2.21 ct. red Spinel accented with Diamonds from AGTA Member, Erica Courtney, Inc.; Bottom Left: 3.65 ct. purple-blue oval Spinel from AGTA Member, Kimberly Collins Colored Gems; Bottom Left Center: 18K yellow gold ring featuring a 4.32 ct. pink Spinel accented with pink Sapphires and Diamonds from AGTA Member, Ray Griffiths, Inc.; Bottom Right Center: platinum ring featuring a blue Sapphire accented with pink Spinels from AGTA Member, Ricardo Basta; Bottom Right: 13.20 ct. unheated raspberry Spinel from AGTA Member, Ambassador Gems. .