August Birthstone

If you're shopping for an August birthstone, you'll find two standouts leading the way: peridot's signature green and spinel's surprising range of colors. Both are cut and set into rings, earrings, and necklaces built for daily wear, not just the one day a year you'd normally reach for a birthstone piece. Sardonyx is sometimes listed as August's original birthstone, dating back to ancient Rome. Peridot and spinel are the gemstones you'll find in our collection.

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The Birthstones You'll Find In Our Collection

Peridot and spinel each bring a completely different look and backstory, which is part of what makes shopping for August birthstone jewelry more interesting than a single-stone month.

Peridot: The Sun Gem With A Green Glow

Ancient Egyptians called peridot the "gem of the sun" for its bright, sunny green color that holds up in nearly any light. It forms deep within the Earth's mantle, and small amounts have even been found in meteorites, giving it a genuinely otherworldly claim to fame.

Spinel: The Newest Addition Since 2016

Spinel was mistaken for ruby in royal jewelry for centuries before gemologists recognized it as a distinct mineral. It was officially added to the modern birthstone list in 2016, and its wide color range makes it a favorite for anyone who wants something unexpected.

Sardonyx: August's Original Birthstone

Before peridot or spinel joined the list, sardonyx stood alone as August's birthstone. Romans carved it into seals and signet rings, prizing its warm, banded layers of reddish-brown and white for both beauty and symbolic strength. It's a piece of the month's history worth knowing, even if it's not where our collection's focus lies today.

How August Ended Up With More Than One Birthstone

Most birth months were assigned a single stone and left alone. August grew its list in layers: sardonyx's place dates back to ancient tradition, while spinel wasn't added until modern gemologists gave it a stone of its own in 2016. Peridot has stood alongside both for its long history in the gem trade. The result is a month with more range — and more history — than most. Curious how other months got their picks? Read our full Birthstone Guide by Month to see how each list came together over time.

Styling August Birthstone Jewelry For Every Season

Peridot and spinel both move easily from a Tuesday at the office to a weekend out with friends.

Choosing An August Birthstone Ring That Fits Your Style

A well-chosen August birthstone ring should match your daily routine as much as your taste. Spinel's durability suits an everyday band, while peridot's lower hardness works best in a ring you'll wear with a bit more care.

Pairing Peridot Green With Warm And Cool Metals

Peridot's yellow-green tone looks equally striking in yellow gold, which warms it up, or sterling silver, which lets the color take center stage. Either way, it pairs naturally with neutral and earth-toned outfits.

Layering Spinel Pieces For A Modern Look

Spinel's color range runs wide, from the soft pinks and deep reds that echo its ruby-mistaken past to blues, purples, blacks, and greens. That variety lets it layer beautifully with other jewelry without competing for attention. Stack a spinel ring with a plain band for a look that feels current.

Gifting August Birthstone Jewelry For Milestone Moments

Whether it's a birthday or an anniversary, August birthstone jewelry makes a meaningful gift with a built-in story. For gift ideas beyond the expected, browse our Uncommon Gemstone Gift Ideas.

Quick Facts About August's Birthstones

Before you shop, here are a few essential details about peridot, spinel, and sardonyx worth knowing.

• Peridot's Ancient Origin: Ancient Egyptians mined peridot on a Red Sea island, prizing its sunny green glow for centuries.
• Spinel's Late Recognition: Spinel joined the official birthstone list in 2016, ending centuries of being mistaken for ruby.
• Sardonyx's Roman History: Romans carved sardonyx into seals and signet rings, valuing its banded pattern for symbolic strength.
• Gemstone Treatment Details: Check enhancement specifics before buying in our Gemstone Color Chart, a helpful reference guide.

These details add helpful context as you shop for a gemstone that matches your story. Want to keep exploring? Sapphire takes center stage next in our September Birthstone Guide, and if you'd rather browse everything at once, our Shop All Birthstone Jewelry page brings every month's gemstones together in one place.

Shop This Month's Signature Colors

Explore two collections built entirely around August's gemstones, each with genuine variety in cut, color, and setting — or browse our full August Birthstone Jewelry collection to see everything in one place.

Spinel Jewelry

Our Spinel collection spans hundreds of pieces across rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and pendants, so there's a real range beyond a single style or cut. We carry spinel in black, blue, green, pink, purple, red, and white, with both natural and lab-created stones available depending on your budget and preference. We work with brands like Bella Luce, Judith Ripka, and the Artisan Collection to bring you spinel pieces spanning from affordable everyday wear to finer statement jewelry.

Peridot August Birthstone Jewelry

Our August Birthstone collection is built specifically around genuine, natural peridot in its signature green, with no lab-created substitutes in the mix. We offer rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants, and bracelets. We love that peridot carries the ancient nickname "gem of the sun," a detail that ties directly back to the stone's Egyptian origins covered earlier in this piece.

Frequently Asked Questions About August Birthstones