August has three birthstones: peridot, spinel and sardonyx. Peridot is a yellowish green gem and the one most people know. Sardonyx, a banded red-brown and white stone, is the oldest August choice. Spinel, which comes in red, pink, blue and more, was added in 2016. Between them they cover almost every color and budget.
What is the birthstone for August?
The answer has grown over time. Sardonyx is the original August stone, with a history of more than 4,000 years. The first standard American list, in 1912, gave August both sardonyx and peridot, and peridot became the favorite.
In June 2016 Jewelers of America and the American Gem Trade Association announced a third stone, spinel. The Gemological Institute of America and the American Gem Society list all three; Jewelers of America itself now shows peridot and spinel.
In Britain the National Association of Jewellers gives peridot as the traditional August gemstone and spinel as the alternative. Older British lists pair peridot with sardonyx.
For a quick answer on any date, use the tool: it returns the stones, the birth flower and the zodiac sign in one go.
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August's three birthstones at a glance
| Peridot | Spinel | Sardonyx | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Gem variety of the mineral olivine | A mineral in its own right | Banded chalcedony (sard and onyx) |
| Color | Yellowish green to greenish yellow | Red, pink, orange, purple, violet, blue | Brownish red to orange bands with white or black |
| Mohs hardness | 6.5 to 7 | 8 | 6.5 to 7 |
| Everyday ring | Not ideal | Yes | With care |
| On the list since | 1912 | 2016 | 1912, and long before as tradition |
Peridot: the green gem
Peridot is the gem variety of the mineral olivine. Unlike most gems it comes in essentially one color, a yellowish green, and the most valued stones are a pure grass green with no hint of brown.
Throughout history peridot was confused with other gems. The Red Sea island of Topazios, which may have given topaz its name, actually produced peridot, and the 200 carats of "emeralds" on the Shrine of the Three Holy Kings in Cologne Cathedral are peridot too. Some historians suspect that Cleopatra's famous emeralds were the same.
That Red Sea island, now called Zabargad, is the oldest recorded source. Today peridot comes from China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tanzania, Vietnam and the United States, where Apache families have mined it for decades on the San Carlos reservation in Arizona. A little has even arrived from space, inside meteorites.
Spinel: the newest August birthstone
Spinel spent centuries in the shadow of ruby. Red spinel and ruby are found in the same places and look alike, and spinel was only recognized as a separate mineral in the late 18th century. The most famous example is the "Black Prince's Ruby," a red spinel of about 170 carats set in Britain's Imperial State Crown.
It comes in intense red, vivid pink, orange, purple, violet and blue. With a hardness of 8 it is the most durable of the August stones. Major sources include Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tanzania, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
Sardonyx: the original August birthstone
Sardonyx is a banded form of chalcedony, a quartz made of microscopic crystals. Layers of sard, which is brownish red to dark orange, alternate with layers of white or black onyx. Carvers have used those layers for thousands of years to cut cameos and seals in which a pale figure stands out from a dark ground. Romans favored it for signet rings because hot wax did not stick to it.
Sardonyx is commonly dyed to strengthen its colors, and it is the least expensive of the three. India is known for stones with sharp contrast between the layers.
What do the August birthstones mean?
- Peridot was worn as a protective talisman against evil spirits and "terrors of the night."
- Spinel, like other red gems, was thought to ease anger and promote harmony.
- Sardonyx was a soldier's stone: Romans wore rings carved with Mars, the god of war, for protection in battle. Today it is associated with courage, happiness and stable partnerships.
Red gems were also once believed to stop bleeding and treat inflammation. These are old beliefs, not medical facts; none of the three stones has any effect on health.
How to care for August's birthstones
- Peridot. Clean with a soft brush, mild dish soap and warm water. Do not use steam or ultrasonic cleaners. Acids and long contact with perspiration can damage it. Store it apart from harder gems.
- Spinel. Warm, soapy water is always safe. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners can be used unless the stone has fractures. Keep it away from high heat, which can fade some colors.
- Sardonyx. Use warm, soapy water and a soft brush. Be cautious with ultrasonic and steam cleaners, and avoid high heat, which can affect dyed color.
Gift ideas for an August birthday
- Peridot earrings or a pendant show the fresh green well and keep the stone out of harm's way.
- A spinel ring is the practical choice for daily wear, in red, pink or blue.
- A red spinel for someone who loves the look of ruby and likes a stone with a story.
- A sardonyx cameo or signet ring suits a lover of antique styles, at a modest price.
- Price levels. Sardonyx is usually the most affordable, peridot sits in the middle, and fine spinel tends to cost the most.
Peridot is the gem for a 16th wedding anniversary and spinel for the 22nd; see our guide to gifts for every wedding anniversary.
August birth flowers: gladiolus and poppy
August's birth flowers are the gladiolus and the poppy. The gladiolus, with its tall spike of blooms, stands in the traditional language of flowers for strength of character, honor and integrity. The poppy stands for remembrance and comfort, and for imagination. Red poppies are an easy match for a red spinel. Nobody is bound by these meanings; they are simply a nice detail to add to a gift. Every month's pair is in our guide to birth flowers by month.
Just missed August? Ruby is July's stone and sapphire is September's. The complete list is in birthstones by month.