August Birthstone: Peridot Meaning, Colour and Gift Ideas

What is the August Birthstone?

August babies, your birthstone literally came from the stars. Well, sometimes. The August birthstone is peridot, a glowing lime-green gem that forms deep inside the earth, gets carried up by volcanoes and, occasionally, arrives on our planet tucked inside meteorites. For a month full of sunshine and long, lazy evenings, there is no brighter, happier stone.

This guide is our love letter to peridot as a birthstone: what it means, why it is always green, the volcanic legends and ancient queens connected with it, and how to choose a piece for yourself or for the August soul you are shopping for. We also cover August's two other stones, spinel and sardonyx. You can browse our handmade August birthstone jewellery whenever the mood takes you.

August Birthstone at a Glance

Birthstone	Peridot (also spinel and sardonyx)
Colour	Bright lime to olive green
Meaning	Light, joy, abundance and positivity
Chakra	Heart and solar plexus
Mineral	Gem-quality olivine
Found in	Arizona, Pakistan, Myanmar, China, Egypt's Red Sea island of Zabargad
Mohs hardness	6.5 to 7
Zodiac	Leo (23 July to 22 August) and Virgo (23 August to 22 September)

What Colour is the August Birthstone?

The August birthstone colour is green, and peridot is one of the very few gems that only ever comes in one colour. Its green comes from the iron in its make-up, so the shade ranges from a zingy lime to a warm olive, but it is always unmistakably peridot green. In daylight it is bright and fresh, and by candlelight it glows a soft golden green, which earned it the nickname "the evening emerald".

August Birthstone Meaning

The peridot meaning is all about light, joy and abundance. It has long been called a stone of the sun: a little piece of summer you can carry with you all year round. Peridot is linked with the heart chakra and the solar plexus, the home of confidence and personal power, so it is the stone we reach for when we want to feel bright, open-hearted and ready to say yes to good things.

In ancient times peridot was believed to ward off the darkness of night and any mischievous spirits lurking in it, which is why it was often set in gold and worn as a talisman. It is also a stone of letting go: making space for fresh starts, new friendships and a lighter, sunnier outlook.

The History of Peridot: The Gem from the Stars

Peridot might just have the wildest origin story of any birthstone.

• Peridot forms deep in the earth's mantle and is brought to the surface by volcanic activity. In Hawaii, legend says the little green crystals in the volcanic rock are the tears of Pele, goddess of fire and volcanoes.
• Peridot crystals have been found inside meteorites, which makes it one of the few gems known to come from outer space.
• The ancient Egyptians mined peridot on the Red Sea island of Zabargad more than 3,500 years ago. Historians think some of Cleopatra's famous "emeralds" may actually have been peridot.
• Medieval crusaders brought peridot back to Europe, and the shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral is said to be decorated with peridots that were long mistaken for emeralds.

Peridot is the traditional gift for a 16th wedding anniversary.

Why Does August Have Three Birthstones?

August is the only month with three official birthstones. Sardonyx is the oldest, linked with August for thousands of years. Peridot became the main August birthstone when jewellers drew up the modern list in 1912, and in 2016 spinel was added as a third option. Peridot is still the one most people think of, and it is the August birthstone we love best.

Spinel

Spinel comes in glowing reds, pinks, purples and blues, and for centuries it was mistaken for ruby. Some of the world's most famous "rubies", including the Black Prince's Ruby in the British Imperial State Crown, are actually spinel. It is a stone of renewal and fresh energy. If you love a red stone, read our guide to ruby, the July birthstone.

Sardonyx

Sardonyx is a banded stone with layers of reddish-brown sard and creamy white onyx. The ancient Romans carved it into seals and cameos and wore it into battle for courage. It is a stone of strength, protection and steady confidence.

Green Alternatives to Peridot

If you love the fresh, sunny green of the August birthstone, these are some beautiful green stones to explore too.

• Chrysoprase: a bright apple-green stone of joy and an open heart. Our chrysoprase crescent moon necklace is a little slice of summer. Browse all our chrysoprase jewellery.
• Moss agate: a stone of growth and new beginnings, with delicate green "moss" inside. See our moss agate crescent moon necklace and moss agate jewellery.
• Prehnite: a soft, glowing green stone of inner peace. Browse our prehnite jewellery.
• Emerald: the deep green birthstone for May. Read our May birthstone guide.

August Birthstones and the Zodiac

August is shared by two signs. Sun-ruled, big-hearted Leo (23 July to 22 August) and peridot, the stone of the sun, are a dream team. Practical, kind Virgo (23 August to 22 September) loves peridot's fresh energy and its knack for clearing out the old to make room for the new. For more star-sign pairings, have a read of our guide to gemstone jewellery for your zodiac sign.

How to Wear and Care for Your August Birthstone

Peridot is fairly hard, but it is a little sensitive to sudden temperature changes and acids, so it appreciates a gentle touch.

• Clean it gently. Lukewarm water, a drop of mild soap and a soft cloth. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners.
• Keep it away from harsh chemicals. Take it off before cleaning, swimming or applying perfume.
• Store it on its own. A soft pouch keeps it safe from scratches.

To keep its energy sunny, see our guide to cleansing your crystals. A little morning sunshine is the perfect recharge for a stone of the sun.

August Birthstone Jewellery and Gift Ideas

An August birthday arrives with sandy toes and warm summer nights, and a peridot gift carries all that sunshine with it. Here are a few of our favourites.

• Our pink tourmaline, smoky quartz and peridot beaded necklace threads bright peridot beads with a sterling silver set pink tourmaline. It is one of a kind.
• For a fresh green alternative, our chrysoprase crescent moon comes on recycled sterling silver or gold, and our moon necklaces come in lots of other stones too.
• Looking for an August birthstone ring or simply want to see everything? Explore the full August birthstone jewellery collection and our peridot jewellery, or browse our gift ideas and gift vouchers.

Every piece is cleansed, energy infused, vegan and cruelty free, and 5% of all proceeds go to Pacific Wild to help protect the Great Bear Rainforest.

August Birthstone FAQs

What is the birthstone for August?

The main birthstone for August is peridot. Spinel and sardonyx are August birthstones too.

What colour is the August birthstone?

Green. Peridot ranges from bright lime to olive green and only ever comes in green.

What does the August birthstone mean?

Peridot stands for light, joy, abundance and positivity. It is linked with the heart and solar plexus chakras.

Why does August have three birthstones?

Sardonyx is the ancient August stone, peridot became the main one in 1912, and spinel was added in 2016 to give August birthdays even more choice.

What is the birthstone for Leo and Virgo?

Peridot suits both. It is the birthstone for August-born Leos and Virgos alike.

Is peridot a real gemstone?

Yes. Peridot is the gem-quality form of the mineral olivine, and some peridot has even been found inside meteorites.

Can I wear peridot every day?

Yes, with a little care. Peridot is fairly hard but can be sensitive to knocks, heat and acids, so take it off for cleaning and sport.

Explore More Birthstones

Shopping for another month? See every stone in our guide to birthstone jewellery by month, read about July's ruby or September's sapphire, or lose yourself in our A-Z crystal guide.