August birthstones: peridot, spinel and sardonyx

How to read it

Sardonyx was the August birthstone on the 1912 list, with peridot as its alternate. Peridot is the one usually meant today, a yellowish green to greenish yellow gem. Spinel, which comes in many colours, was added in 2016.

Also searched as: birthstone for August, peridot birthstone, spinel birthstone.

What colour is the August birthstone?

Green, for peridot: GIA describes it as yellowish green to greenish yellow, and the International Gem Society describes it as green in every shade, varying with where it was mined. Spinel comes in red, pink, orange, purple, violet, blue and bluish green, and sardonyx has bands of brownish red with white or black.

When spinel was added

The American Gem Trade Association and Jewelers of America named spinel the second August birthstone in 2016, National Jeweler reported. GIA notes that for centuries spinel was mistaken for other gems.