August has three birthstones: peridot, spinel and sardonyx. Peridot is the modern favorite — a yellow-green gem that is one of the very few found in only one color.
August birthstone jewelry: peridot in yellow-green olive.
Birthstone
Peridot
Also worn
Spinel, Sardonyx
Color
Yellow-green olive
Mineral
Olivine (forsterite–fayalite)
Hardness
6.5–7 Mohs
Main sources
Arizona (USA), Myanmar, Pakistan, China, Vietnam
Zodiac signs
Leo / Virgo
Anniversary
16th wedding anniversary
What color is the August birthstone, and what does it mean?
Peridot's warm lime-olive green is late-summer light. It reads as good fortune, warmth, protection from nightmares and release from envy.
Color is the single biggest driver of value in colored gemstones, and it is also where birthstone symbolism lives. See how every month's color compares in the birthstone color guide.
What does the August birthstone symbolize?
Ancient Egyptians called peridot the 'gem of the sun' and believed it protected the wearer from the terrors of the night. It is given for good luck, warmth and clearing away resentment. Spinel — added to August in 2016 — signals renewal and comes in red, pink, blue and violet, while banded sardonyx was the Roman soldier's stone of courage.
The history of the August birthstone
Peridot was mined on the Egyptian volcanic island of Zabargad (St John's Island) in the Red Sea more than 3,500 years ago, and many 'emeralds' in medieval European church treasuries — including the 200-carat stones in Cologne Cathedral's Shrine of the Three Kings — are actually peridot. Peridot also arrives from space: it is found in pallasite meteorites. Spinel was long confused with ruby; the 170-carat 'Black Prince's Ruby' in the British Imperial State Crown is a red spinel.
For the origin of the twelve-month tradition itself — Aaron's breastplate, Josephus, Polish gem traders and the 1912 American jewelers' list — read the full history of birthstones.
Every August birthstone in detail: where it's found, its powers and its cuts
Modern birthstone · 6.5–7 Mohs
Peridot
Where peridot is found
Arizona's San Carlos Apache lands (most commercial material), Pakistan's Kohistan (fine large crystals), Myanmar, China and Vietnam — and, remarkably, some meteorites.
Spiritual meaning
The 'gem of the sun' — light, renewal and release from envy and old resentment.
Healing powers
Heart- and solar-plexus stone used for detox, digestion and emotional release.
Cut styles
Oval, cushion and round brilliants; step cuts show its oily luster. Its double refraction makes facet edges look doubled under a loupe.
Modern birthstone · 8 Mohs
Spinel
Where spinel is found
Myanmar, Tanzania (Mahenge pink), Sri Lanka, Tajikistan and Vietnam.
Spiritual meaning
Revitalisation and hope; historically mistaken for ruby in royal treasuries.
Healing powers
Used for energy renewal and easing exhaustion.
Cut styles
Cushion, oval and round brilliants; hot pink and red material is cut for color.
Traditional birthstone · 6.5–7 Mohs
Sardonyx
Where sardonyx is found
India, Brazil, Germany and Uruguay.
Spiritual meaning
Courage, clear communication and marital happiness in Roman tradition.
Healing powers
Used for strength of will and steady discipline.
Cut styles
Banded cameos and intaglio — the layers are carved, not faceted.
Spiritual and healing associations are traditional lore, recorded here for cultural interest — they are not medical advice.
How to buy peridot
The most valuable peridot is a pure grass green without brown or excessive yellow, typically over 5 carats and often from Pakistan's Kashmir region. Peridot is almost never treated, so you can buy natural stones cheaply. Check for eye-visible inclusions and avoid stones with surface-reaching fractures.
Caring for peridot jewelry
Peridot is sensitive to acids, sudden temperature change and hard knocks. Clean with warm soapy water and a soft cloth — never ultrasonic or steam. Bezel or halo settings protect the girdle in daily-wear necklaces.
August birthstone jewelry to look for
Peridot bezel August birthstone necklace in 18k gold
Peridot teardrop pendant on fine chain
August birthstone stud earrings
Personalised family bracelet with peridot
A pendant is the most forgiving setting for softer stones, because a necklace takes far fewer knocks than a ring. Bezel settings protect the girdle of the stone and suit everyday wear, which is why a bezel-set august birthstone necklace is the piece most people start with.
If you want the stone on your hand instead, a slim august birthstone ring keeps the setting low enough to survive daily wear, and a personalized birthstone bracelet lets you line up one stone for every family birthday.
August birthstone jewelry: personalized peridot pieces
Shop August birthstone necklaces, rings and bracelets in 18K gold — each one made with the August birthstone and engraved with the name, initial or date you choose. Choose a piece, then pick your finish.
August birthstone: Peridot on film
A short film on peridot, the august birthstone — its color, its meaning and how it is worn.
August's birthstone is peridot, a yellow-green gem. Spinel and sardonyx are also recognized August birthstones.
What color is the August birthstone?
Peridot occurs only in green, ranging from yellowish lime to deep olive. The finest color is a pure grass green with no brown.
Why does August have three birthstones?
Sardonyx is the ancient stone, peridot the modern list's choice, and spinel was added in 2016 by the American Gem Trade Association to give August a wider price and color range.
Is peridot valuable?
Fine large peridot over 10 carats commands real prices, but small clean stones are among the most affordable natural colored gems, which makes peridot popular for everyday birthstone necklaces.
Is peridot durable enough for a necklace?
Yes, at 6.5–7 Mohs, especially in a pendant, where knocks are rarer than on a ring. Avoid acids and abrupt temperature changes.
