August Birthstone: Peridot (Color & Meaning)

The August birthstone: Peridot

Peridot is August's olive-green birthstone, one of the few gems found in only one color. 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 color, 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 jewelers 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 color and meaning that suits you best.

Every recognized August birthstone, each with its own color.
Stone	Color	Role
Peridot	Olive green	modern
Spinel	Red to pink	alternative
Sardonyx	Banded red-brown and white	traditional

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

What is the August birthstone?

The August birthstone is Peridot, a olive green gem. It also has Spinel and Sardonyx as recognized alternatives.

What color is the August birthstone?

Peridot is olive green.

What does the August birthstone mean?

Peridot traditionally stands for strength, light and good fortune.

What zodiac signs fall in August?

Leo and Virgo both fall within August.

Why does August have 3 birthstones?

August carries Peridot, Spinel and Sardonyx. Months end up with several stones through availability and later discoveries rather than through a single tradition, and each one has its own color.

How hard is the August birthstone?

Peridot measures 6.5 to 7 Mohs on the Mohs scale. That matters for everyday jewelry: a softer stone scratches more easily and is better suited to a pendant than to a ring worn daily.

August birthstone