Peridot

The August birthstone: Peridot

Peridot is August's olive-green birthstone, one of the few gems found in only one colour. The ancient Egyptians called it the gem of the sun, and some peridot has even arrived on Earth inside meteorites. Sardonyx is the traditional stone.

As a colour, Peridot sits in the olive green range, which is part of why it feels so tied to the season. If you were born in August, this is the gem most jewellers and birthday charts will point you to, and the one that appears on a modern birthstone card.

What the August birthstone means

In the older lore, Peridot was linked to strength, light and good fortune. That symbolism is a tradition rather than a fact, but it is the reason the stone has stayed meaningful as a birthday gift for so long. Different cultures added their own associations, yet the core meaning has held remarkably steady.

Alternative August birthstones

August is not limited to a single stone. Alongside Peridot, the month is also linked to Spinel and Sardonyx, while Sardonyx is the older traditional choice. Any of these is a valid August birthstone, so you can pick the colour and meaning that suits you best.

August birth flower and zodiac signs

A birthstone is only part of the picture. The August birth flower is the Gladiolus, and anyone born this month falls under Leo or Virgo. For everything about the month in one place, see the August overview.

Frequently asked questions

Birthstones for other months