The August birthstone is peridot, with spinel and sardonyx as the other two official choices. Peridot is a lime to olive green gem colored by iron, spinel comes in red, pink, blue and more, and sardonyx is banded red and white. They are traditionally associated with renewal, warmth and quiet confidence.
The stones
Color: Light green, pink, red · Birth flower: Gladiolus, poppy
August is the only month with three official birthstones, and they hardly look related. Peridot glows a fresh yellow-green, like new leaves in strong light. Spinel is a color chameleon that can be a fiery red or a soft lavender. Sardonyx is an old banded stone, red-brown and white, that Romans carved into seals.
If you are looking up the August birthstone, you are likely choosing between them for a gift, or wondering why there are so many. This page sorts it out: what each stone is, what colors to expect, what each traditionally symbolizes, where the list came from, how to buy and care for them, and which stones go with the zodiac signs born in August.
August birthstones: peridot, spinel and sardonyx
The modern list, kept by the American Gem Society and Jewelers of America, gives August three stones.
- Peridot is the gem form of olivine, a magnesium iron silicate. It ranks about 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, so it suits earrings and pendants well and rings that are worn with a little care.
- Spinel is a magnesium aluminum oxide with a hardness of 8, tough and brilliant. It was added to the August list in 2016.
- Sardonyx is a banded variety of chalcedony, a form of quartz made of microscopic crystals, with layers of red-brown sard and white or black onyx. Its hardness is around 6.5 to 7.
Why three? Peridot and sardonyx are the older choices, and sardonyx has been used in carved seals and cameos since ancient times. Spinel was added in 2016 because it is a beautiful, durable gem that gives buyers more colors and a wider range of budgets. Birthstone lists were set by the jewelry trade in 1912 and have been revised several times, so more than one stone per month is normal.
August birthstone colors
The August birthstone color most people mean is green, because peridot is the best known of the three. Peridot is one of the few gems that occurs in only one basic color, and its shade comes from iron in the crystal itself. It ranges from yellow-green and lime to deeper olive and a rich, slightly grassy green.
Spinel is the wild card. It can be red, hot pink, orange, purple, steel blue or nearly black, depending on trace elements. Red and pink spinels are especially popular, and cobalt blue spinels are rare and expensive.
Sardonyx offers earth tones: stripes of reddish brown, orange and white that look almost like sunset layers. Some people prefer it for its quieter, more vintage feel.
So August has a palette instead of a single color: fresh green, bright jewel tones and warm bands, matching the abundance of late summer.
August birthstone meaning and symbolism
In crystal lore, peridot is traditionally associated with renewal, growth and abundance. Green is the color of leaves and ripening, and the stone's sunny tint made it a symbol of warmth and a fresh start. Many people wear it as a reminder to let go of old resentments and make room for something new.
Spinel is associated with energy and revival in modern crystal writing. Its long history of being mistaken for ruby also gives it an air of hidden worth, a stone that deserves to be seen for what it is.
Sardonyx carries older associations with courage and self-control, partly because Roman soldiers are said to have worn sardonyx carved with images of heroes and gods. It is sometimes linked with clear speech and steady character.
Together, the August stones suggest warmth, confidence and growth, which suits the height of summer. These are symbolic associations from tradition and not scientific facts. A stone cannot treat or prevent illness, and it is no replacement for medical or mental health care. Use the symbolism as a prompt for reflection if it speaks to you.
History of the August birthstones
Peridot has been gathered for thousands of years. Ancient sources describe a gem mined on an island in the Red Sea, now known as Zabargad or St. John's Island, and historians think much of what early writers called topaz or even emerald may have been peridot. Today peridot is also mined in Arizona, Pakistan, Myanmar and China, and olivine has even been found in meteorites.
Sardonyx has an equally long record. Its layers made it ideal for cameos and intaglios, carved seals that Romans pressed into wax to sign documents.
Spinel was long confused with ruby. Some famous red gems in royal collections, including the large red stone known as the Black Prince's Ruby in the British Imperial State Crown, are actually spinels. Gemologists learned to tell them apart only in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
The link between the Breastplate of Aaron and birthstones is a popular story but is debated. The official modern list began with the National Association of Jewelers, now Jewelers of America, in 1912, and spinel became a third August stone in 2016.
Choosing and caring for August birthstone jewelry
Peridot is generally affordable and widely available, which makes it a good gift for someone born in August. Look for a clean, vivid green without too much brown. It looks lovely in earrings and pendants.
Spinel is the best choice for a ring: it is harder than peridot, it is mostly sold untreated, and it comes in many colors. Good spinels cost more than peridot, but less than a ruby or sapphire of similar beauty.
Sardonyx is the most budget-friendly and works well in beads, cameos and signet-style pieces.
Care tips:
- Clean peridot with warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and sudden temperature changes.
- Peridot can be scratched by harder stones, so store it separately.
- Avoid acids and strong household chemicals.
- Spinel is easy to clean and robust.
Ask sellers to confirm the stone is natural and not glass or a simulant, since green glass is often sold as peridot.
August zodiac signs and their stones
August is shared by Leo, which runs to about August 22, and Virgo, which begins around August 23. Zodiac stone lists differ widely, so treat this as tradition rather than rule.
For Leo, peridot is often named alongside ruby, since its sunny green is said to suit the warm, generous nature the sign is known for. Sardonyx also appears on lists for Leo, tied to the ideas of courage and self-command.
For Virgo, sardonyx and peridot are common suggestions, along with sapphire and carnelian on some lists. Virgo is the sign of order and careful work, and sardonyx, with its tidy parallel bands, fits that picture.
As always, you can pick whichever stone you like. The birthstone for your month is a starting point, and the zodiac stone is a bonus.
Frequently asked questions
What is the August birthstone?
The August birthstone is peridot, a green gem colored by iron. Spinel and sardonyx are also official August stones on the modern American list. Peridot is the one most people choose, while spinel gives more colors and sardonyx is a banded stone with a long history in carvings.
What color is the August birthstone?
Peridot is green, from yellow-green to olive. Spinel can be red, pink, blue, purple and more, and sardonyx is banded red-brown and white. If you want one color for August, green is the answer, though spinel and sardonyx offer a much wider palette.
Does August have three birthstones?
Yes. August has peridot, spinel and sardonyx on the modern American list. Spinel was added in 2016, while sardonyx and peridot are the older choices. The trade added alternatives over time so buyers could choose by color, durability and budget.
What does the August birthstone mean?
In crystal lore, peridot is associated with renewal and abundance, spinel with energy and revival, and sardonyx with courage and self-control. These meanings come from tradition, not science, and a stone is never a substitute for medical or mental health care.
What is the August birth flower?
The August birth flowers are the gladiolus and the poppy. Gladioli grow in tall spikes of many colors, and poppies are bright, papery blooms, often red or orange. Either one pairs well with peridot's fresh green in a birthday bouquet.
Angel number meanings are for reflection and inspiration. They are not predictions, and they are not medical, legal or financial advice.