August Birthstone: Peridot & Spinel
August's birthstones are peridot and spinel. Peridot is lime green and traditionally associated with strength, lightness, warmth; Spinel is red, pink, violet or blue and traditionally associated with renewal, resilience, energy.
Modern U.S. list · reviewed by MyPiece Editorial · 2026-08-04
- Stones
- Peridot & Spinel
- Colour
- Peridot: lime green · Spinel: red, pink, violet or blue
- Hardness
- Peridot: Mohs 6.5–7 · Spinel: Mohs 8
- Zodiac
- Leo · Virgo
Peridot
Modern U.S. list · term peridot
One of the very few gems found in only a single colour — peridot's lime-green comes from iron in its own structure, not a trace impurity, so the colour is the stone. Some of it isn't even of this earth: peridot has been found in meteorites and in the dust of a comet's tail.
Traditionally a symbol of strength, lightness, warmth, and Mohs 6.5–7 — tough enough for everyday wear. How to care for it →
Where does peridot come from?
Peridot is found around San Carlos, Arizona, USA. Gem-quality peridot is recovered from volcanic material on San Carlos Apache land; Pakistan and Myanmar are other sources.
Found around San Carlos, Arizona, USA
Arizona · United States
Gem-quality peridot is recovered from volcanic material on San Carlos Apache land; Pakistan and Myanmar are other sources.
Where is peridot cut and traded?
Peridot is cut and traded in San Carlos, Arizona, USA.
Spinel
Modern U.S. list · term spinel
Spinel was mistaken for ruby for centuries because the finest red stones can sit beside ruby in royal jewels. Modern gemology separates it clearly: spinel is its own mineral, durable at Mohs 8 and now valued for vivid reds, pinks, violets and cobalt blues.
Traditionally a symbol of renewal, resilience, energy, and Mohs 8 — tough enough for everyday wear. How to care for it →
Where does spinel come from?
Spinel is mined around Mogok, Myanmar. A historic source for hot-pink and red spinel. Spinel is found around Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. Spinel occurs in Sri Lanka's gem-bearing alluvial gravels.
Mined around Mogok, Myanmar
Mandalay Region · Myanmar
A historic source for hot-pink and red spinel.
Found around Ratnapura, Sri Lanka
Sabaragamuwa Province · Sri Lanka
Spinel occurs in Sri Lanka's gem-bearing alluvial gravels.
Where is spinel cut and traded?
Spinel is cut and traded in Bangkok, Thailand.
Modern & traditional
Birthstone lists have shifted across cultures and centuries. This page follows the Jewelers of America modern U.S. list. Peridot & Spinel are the modern listed stones for August. Sardonyx is August's traditional stone; peridot leads the modern list, and spinel was added alongside it in 2016.
Common questions
What is August's birthstone?
August's birthstones are peridot and spinel. Sardonyx is August's traditional stone; peridot leads the modern list, and spinel was added alongside it in 2016.
What colour is August's birthstone?
August's stones span peridot (lime green) and spinel (red, pink, violet or blue).
What does August's birthstone mean?
Peridot traditionally stands for strength, lightness, warmth; Spinel traditionally stands for renewal, resilience, energy — associations carried by custom, not science.
Why does August have two birthstones?
Birthstone lists evolved across cultures and eras. On the modern U.S. list maintained by Jewelers of America, August carries peridot and spinel; traditional and regional lists may differ.
Where are peridot and spinel sourced?
Peridot is found around San Carlos, Arizona, USA. Gem-quality peridot is recovered from volcanic material on San Carlos Apache land; Pakistan and Myanmar are other sources. Spinel is mined around Mogok, Myanmar. A historic source for hot-pink and red spinel. Spinel is found around Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. Spinel occurs in Sri Lanka's gem-bearing alluvial gravels.
What is the Leo and Virgo birthstone?
August runs from Leo into Virgo, and peridot & spinel serve both in the calendar-month list. Sign-based tables can use different traditions.
Which August birthstone should you choose?
Peridot is lime green and Mohs 6.5–7, making it more suitable for frequent wear; Spinel is red, pink, violet or blue and Mohs 8, making it more suitable for frequent wear. Choose by colour, intended wear, setting protection, and which tradition or source story matters to the wearer.
Can you wear August's birthstones every day?
Peridot is Mohs 6.5–7 and is generally more suitable for frequent wear; Spinel is Mohs 8 and is generally more suitable for frequent wear. Hardness is only one care factor, so the setting and the stone's condition still matter.
Sources & further reading
Peridot
- GIA - Peridot Descriptionchecked 2026-08-04
- Wikipedia - Peridotchecked 2026-08-04
Spinel
- Jewelers of America - Birthstone Jewelrychecked 2026-08-04
- GIA - August Birthstones: Peridot & Spinelchecked 2026-08-04
- Wikipedia - Spinelchecked 2026-08-04