August has three birthstones: peridot, spinel and sardonyx. Peridot is the primary modern August birthstone, a yellowish green gem variety of the mineral olivine. Spinel joined the list in 2016 and comes in red, pink, blue and more. Sardonyx, a banded red and white chalcedony, is August's original stone.
This guide goes deep on August only. For every month at a glance, see the birthstone chart by month.
What Are the August Birthstones?
The August birthstones are peridot, spinel and sardonyx, as listed by the American Gem Society and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Peridot is the stone most people mean by "the August birthstone."
| Fact | Peridot | Spinel | Sardonyx |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Primary modern stone | Added in 2016 | Original August stone |
| Mineral | Olivine | Spinel | Chalcedony (sard and onyx) |
| Color | Yellowish green to greenish yellow | Red, pink, orange, purple, violet, blue, bluish green | Reddish brown and white bands |
| Mohs hardness | 6.5 to 7 | 8 | 6.5 to 7 |
| Anniversary | 16th | 22nd | None listed by GIA |
August birth flowers are the gladiolus and the poppy, per the Farmers' Almanac. Gladiolus stands for strength of character, and the poppy for remembrance.
Why August Has Three Birthstones
August became a three birthstone month in 2016, when the American Gem Trade Association and Jewelers of America added spinel next to peridot and sardonyx. The American Gem Society notes that the 2016 change put August beside June and December as the only months represented by three different gemstones on the modern list (American Gem Society; Birthstone history).
Sardonyx came first. "The original birthstone for August was sardonyx, and then peridot was added, becoming August's primary gemstone," according to the American Gem Society.
| Year or era | List | August stones |
|---|---|---|
| 15th to 20th century | Traditional European lists | Sardonyx (with carnelian, moonstone or topaz in some lists) |
| 1912 | US, National Association of Jewelers (now Jewelers of America) | Sardonyx, peridot |
| 2016 | US, American Gem Trade Association and Jewelers of America | Peridot, spinel, sardonyx |
The practical result is choice. August birthdays can pick lime green peridot, almost any color of spinel, or the striped look of sardonyx.
August Birthstone Meaning and Lore
The August birthstones share a theme of protection and strength. Each stone carries its own history, though, so it pays to know which story you are gifting.
Peridot: the lime green August birthstone
Peridot is the yellowish green to greenish yellow gem variety of olivine, and peridot owes that color to iron in its chemical structure. Peridot rates 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, softer than many gems, and GIA notes that peridot has even reached Earth inside pallasite meteorites made of nickel iron and olivine (GIA; International Gem Society).
The word peridot comes from the Arabic faridat, meaning gem. The Egyptian island of Zabargad is the oldest recorded source, with mining that may have begun around 340 to 279 BCE. Peridot was used for centuries as a protective talisman against evil spirits and "terrors of the night."
Peridot has often been mistaken for emerald. GIA notes that the famous gems in Cologne Cathedral were believed to be emeralds but are in fact peridot. Today, peridot in the United States comes mainly from volcanic deposits on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona.
Spinel: the 2016 addition
Spinel is the color option among August birthstones. The name comes from the Latin spina, meaning thorn, after the shape of its crystals. Some of history's most famous "rubies" are spinel, including the approximately 170 carat Black Prince's Ruby, and spinel was not clearly separated from ruby until the 18th century. Red spinel was once believed to ease anger and promote harmony.
Sardonyx: August's original stone
Sardonyx combines two types of chalcedony, sard and onyx, in visible bands. Romans used sardonyx for seals and signet rings because hot wax would not stick to it, and Roman soldiers wore sardonyx rings carved with Mars for protection in battle. Today sardonyx is associated with courage, happiness and clear communication.
Peridot vs Spinel vs Sardonyx: Which Should You Choose?
Choose spinel for the toughest daily ring, peridot for the classic August green, and sardonyx for a graphic, carved or vintage look. Hardness and lifestyle matter more than which stone is "official."
| Stone | Mohs hardness | Color range | Relative price tier | Everyday wear | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peridot | 6.5 to 7 | Lime and olive greens | Accessible to moderate | Fair; protective settings for rings | Earrings, pendants, the classic August look |
| Spinel | 8 | Nearly every color, including red, pink and blue | Moderate; usually well below ruby and sapphire | Very good, suited to daily rings | Rings worn every day, color lovers |
| Sardonyx | 6.5 to 7 | Reddish brown and white bands | Lower | Fair; often dyed | Cameos, signet styles, men's jewelry |
Spinel rates 8 on the Mohs scale, compared with 6.5 to 7 for peridot and sardonyx, which makes spinel the most durable August birthstone for rings. The International Gem Society adds that natural spinels seldom receive treatments and usually sell for considerably lower prices than rubies, sapphires and diamonds (GIA; International Gem Society).
Price tiers in the table are relative positions within August's three stones. Real prices depend on size, color, clarity and treatment for any gem.
Peridot and emerald get compared often. Peridot leans yellowish green and rates 6.5 to 7, while emerald leans pure to bluish green and rates 7.5 to 8. The International Gem Society notes that peridot is more often presented as emerald than the reverse, because emerald carries greater value.
How to Care for August Birthstone Jewelry
Clean all three August birthstones with warm, soapy water and a soft brush, then follow one stone specific rule for each.
- Peridot: never use a steam or ultrasonic cleaner, because peridot is vulnerable to thermal shock, per GIA. Some acids, and even long exposure to acidic perspiration, can damage peridot, so wipe it after hot days and workouts.
- Spinel: spinel needs no special cleaning, according to the International Gem Society, but GIA notes high heat can fade some spinel colors.
- Sardonyx: sardonyx is commonly dyed, and high heat may affect the color of dyed stones, per GIA. Keep it away from hot water and direct heat.
- All three: store pieces separately, and take rings off for the gym, gardening and cleaning.
For metal care on plated settings, see the general gold plated jewelry care guide, and follow any instructions on the product page.
How to Wear and Gift the August Birthstone
Wear the August birthstone where its color reads clearly: at the collarbone, on the earlobe or on a stacked hand. Peridot green glows against gold tones, while spinel's pinks and blues work with both gold and silver.
A birthstone necklace is the simplest August gift. Compare the Kali Birthstone Necklace, the Noa Birthstone Necklace, the Faye Birthstone Necklace and the Celeste Birthstone Necklace, and check each product page for the current stone options. More color stones sit in gemstone necklaces.
For hands and ears, browse gemstone rings and gemstone earrings in green or pink tones. Build the look with how to stack rings, or mix metals using the gold and silver mixing guide. Shopping for a friend? Start with gifts for your bestie or the birthday collection.
August Birthstone FAQ
What is the real birthstone for August?
Peridot is the primary August birthstone, but spinel and sardonyx are official too. Sardonyx was August's original stone, peridot later became the primary gem, and spinel joined in 2016 when the American Gem Trade Association and Jewelers of America updated the list. All three are correct. If you want the stone most people recognize, choose peridot. If you want durability or a non green color, spinel is the stronger pick at 8 on the Mohs scale.
Why does August have three birthstones?
August has three birthstones because the list grew over time. Sardonyx came first in traditional lists, the 1912 American list included both sardonyx and peridot, and spinel was added in 2016. The addition gave August birthdays more color choices and a harder stone for rings. Each stone also brings a different style: peridot for green, spinel for almost any color, and sardonyx for a banded, vintage look.
Is peridot an expensive stone?
Peridot is generally more affordable than emerald, the green gem it is most often compared with. The International Gem Society notes peridot is more often presented as emerald than the reverse because emerald carries greater value. Price still rises with size, color saturation and clarity, so a large, vivid peridot costs more than a small, pale one. For a budget friendly August gift, peridot or spinel in a small setting is a practical choice.
Is August the only month with three birthstones?
No. August shares that status with June and December. The American Gem Society notes that in 2016 August joined June and December as one of the three birth months represented by three different gemstones. June's stones are pearl, moonstone and alexandrite, and December's are turquoise, tanzanite and zircon. All other months on the modern American list have one or two stones.
What color is the August birthstone?
The main August birthstone color is lime green, from peridot, which ranges from yellowish green to greenish yellow because of its iron content. Spinel widens the palette to red, pink, orange, purple, violet, blue and bluish green. Sardonyx adds reddish brown and white bands. If someone just says "August color," green is the safe answer, but a pink or red spinel is equally official since 2016.
What is the August birth flower?
The August birth flowers are the gladiolus and the poppy, according to the Farmers' Almanac. Gladiolus, sometimes called the sword lily, stands for strength of character, and the poppy stands for remembrance. Pairing a peridot or spinel piece with one of these 2 flowers makes a layered August birthday gift that combines the month's stone and bloom in one idea.
Ready to wear your August color? Explore the EVRY gemstone necklaces collection, then see how August fits the full year in the birthstone chart by month.
