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August Birthstones: Peridot, Spinel and Sardonyx

Born in August · 3 birthstones

PeridotSpinelSardonyx

August has three birthstones. Peridot is the bright lime-green one most people know. Spinel comes in many colors and was mixed up with ruby for centuries. Sardonyx, with its red and white bands, is the original August stone and the oldest of the three.

About Peridot

🎨 Colors

Yellowish green to greenish yellow. The best color is a pure grass green.

🪨 Hardness (Mohs scale)

6.5-7

🌍 Where it comes from

China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tanzania, Vietnam and Arizona. Some peridot has even arrived on Earth inside meteorites.

📜 Story and old beliefs

The oldest known source is Zabargad, an island in the Red Sea.

It was often mistaken for emerald - some of Cleopatra's 'emeralds' may have been peridot.

People once wore it to keep away 'terrors of the night'.

About Spinel

🎨 Colors

Red, pink, orange, purple, violet, blue and bluish green.

🪨 Hardness (Mohs scale)

🌍 Where it comes from

Tajikistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tanzania and Pakistan.

📜 Story and old beliefs

For centuries spinel was mistaken for ruby.

The famous 'Black Prince's Ruby' in Britain's Imperial State Crown is really a spinel.

About Sardonyx

🎨 Colors

Bands of brownish red to orange, layered with white or black.

🪨 Hardness (Mohs scale)

6.5-7

🌍 Where it comes from

India, Brazil, Germany, Madagascar, Uruguay and the United States.

📜 Story and old beliefs

It has been used for more than 4,000 years.

Romans made seals from it because hot wax does not stick to it.

Roman soldiers wore sardonyx rings for courage.

For a Baby Born in August

August babies arrive at the end of summer, and peridot's sunny green fits those long, bright days. Peridot's old stories are about keeping bad dreams away - a kind wish for a baby's first nights. Sardonyx, the oldest August stone, stands for courage and happiness.

Keepsake Ideas

A peridot in a keepsake box for a later birthday

A lime-green memory book or photo album

A small peridot or spinel charm for a parent

A birth print with their date in bright summer green

A summer garden photo on every birthday

⚠️ Safety first

Birthstones are keepsakes for later, not jewelry for babies. Do not put necklaces, bracelets, anklets or small stones on a baby or toddler - they can cause choking or strangulation. That includes amber or gemstone 'teething' necklaces, which the U.S. FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics warn against. Keep gems and jewelry out of reach.

August Zodiac Signs

Plan the first birthday →

Quick Answers

What is the birthstone for August?

Peridot and spinel are the August birthstones on GIA's list. Sardonyx is the original, older August stone.

What color is peridot?

Yellowish green to greenish yellow - the finest stones are a pure grass green.

Why was spinel confused with ruby?

Red spinel looks very much like ruby. The two were only told apart clearly in the 1700s, by their chemistry.

Stone list and gem facts follow the GIA birthstone guides. Meanings are old traditions and folklore, not facts or health claims.