Birthstones by month
Birthstones · Updated 2026-10-25
August Birthstone and Birth Flower: Meaning and Gift Ideas
The August birthstones are peridot, spinel and sardonyx, three very different stones: lime green, vivid red or pink, and banded brown and white. August's birth flowers are the gladiolus and the poppy. Peridot is the best-known pick, and spinel is a durable choice for a ring.
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What do the August birthstones, peridot, spinel and sardonyx, mean?
Peridot is the yellowish green to greenish yellow gem variety of the mineral olivine. It has been used as a protective talisman against evil spirits and the terrors of the night, and it can be found in hardened lava and even in meteorites. It is 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, so it suits earrings and pendants better than daily rings.
Spinel comes in red, pink, orange, purple, blue and more. For centuries it was mistaken for ruby; the famous Black Prince's Ruby in the Imperial State Crown is actually a red spinel. At 8 on the Mohs scale, it is a durable choice for a ring.
Sardonyx is the original August birthstone, with a history that dates back more than 4,000 years. The Romans used it for seals and signet rings because hot wax would not stick to it. GIA ties it to strength of spiritual life.
What is the August birth flower?
The August birth flowers are the gladiolus and the poppy. Gladiolus, the sword lily, stands for strength of character, and poppies represent remembrance and restful sleep.
Gladiolus corms are planted in spring after the last frost, and taller varieties are staked, so a tall vase of gladiolus makes a dramatic late-summer birthday bouquet.
What are the best birthday gifts for someone born in August?
August birthdays tend to fall during summer holidays and back-to-school rush, so gifts that work for travel or a new routine land well: a good water bottle, a planner or a cozy blanket for the evenings.
Keep the date and ideas together in Events in Prezynt, and the reminder arrives before late-summer plans take over.
What are the August birthstone facts?
Stone lists from the American Gem Society, meanings from GIA, and birth flowers from the Farmers' Almanac.
| Detail | August |
|---|
| Birthstone | Peridot, Spinel, Sardonyx |
| Older or alternate choice | Sardonyx |
| Color | Lime green, with red, pink and banded options |
| What it stands for | Peridot was long worn as a protective talisman against evil spirits. |
| Birth flowers | Gladiolus and Poppy |
| Flower meaning | Gladiolus stands for strength of character; poppy represents remembrance. |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) | Peridot 6.5 to 7; spinel 8; sardonyx 6.5 to 7 |
| Wedding anniversary | Peridot is the gem for the 16th anniversary; spinel for the 22nd |
| Note on lists | Jewelers of America lists peridot and spinel; the American Gem Society adds sardonyx |
Gift picks
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Peridot gifts
14k White Gold 4mm Peridot Earrings
$150.56 · My Gift Stop
Peridot earrings in 14k white gold, 4mm stones. August's birthstone in a classic stud, at a mid-range price, and a gift that suits an everyday wardrobe and a birthday dinner.
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14K Gold Oval Shaped Olivine Peridot Pendant Necklace
$293.99 · YFN
A 14k gold oval peridot pendant necklace, a splurge-level August birthday gift. The lime green of the stone looks lively against both gold and silver, and the pendant dresses up a plain shirt.
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Peridot stud Earrings - August Birthstone
$22.99 · All Cotton and Linen
Peridot stud earrings labeled for August birthdays, at a very low price. They bring the stone's bright green to an everyday outfit, and they fit beside a card as a small gift.
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3D Engraved Keychain Birthstone Keychain August Birthday Gifts
$15.95
A 3D engraved August birthstone keychain, a small, personal gift. It costs little, it sits on her keys daily, and the peridot green keeps the month in mind throughout the year.
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Birthday gifts for someone born in August
14k 3mm August/Peridot Post Earrings
$75.54 · My Gift Stop
14k gold peridot post earrings with 3mm stones, an easy-to-wear gift in August's birthstone. They are small, so they work for daily wear, and the price is gentler than most gold earrings.
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Red Poppies Perfume - 4 oz.
$31.90 · Perfumania.com
A Red Poppies perfume, a scent that echoes the poppy, one of August's birth flowers. A very affordable fragrance gift, and the 4 ounce bottle lasts for months.
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2D Memory Crystal™ - Pre-Design Keychain - Octagon - August Poppy - Medium
$44 · Beyond Memories
A 2D memory crystal keychain in an octagon with an August poppy design. A mid-priced gift tied to August's birth flower, and a keepsake that sits on keys or a bag every day.
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Green Kitchen Towels
$24.99 · All Cotton and Linen
A set of green kitchen towels, in the bright green of August's peridot. An inexpensive and useful gift for someone who cooks, and they add color to a plain kitchen.
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Frequently asked
What are the August birthstones?
The August birthstones are peridot, spinel and sardonyx on the American Gem Society chart. Jewelers of America lists peridot and spinel.
What is the original August birthstone?
Sardonyx is the original August birthstone, with a history that goes back more than 4,000 years, and the Romans used it for seal rings.
What are the August birth flowers?
The August birth flowers are the gladiolus and the poppy. Gladiolus stands for strength of character, and poppy represents remembrance and restful sleep.
Is peridot a good choice for an engagement ring?
Peridot is 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale and can be damaged by acids, so it is better for earrings and pendants; spinel at 8 is the sturdier August ring stone.
Is spinel a real birthstone?
Yes. Spinel is listed as an August birthstone by both the American Gem Society and Jewelers of America, and it is often mistaken for ruby in history books.