August Birthstone Jewelry: A Gift Guide for August Birthdays
August birthdays come with something most other months do not: a choice. The official birthstones for August are peridot and spinel, two very different gems that suit different personalities and styles. If you are shopping for someone born this month, or simply want to understand what these stones mean before choosing a gift, this guide covers both, what they represent, and which personalized jewelry pieces make the most sense.
What Is the Birthstone for August?
August has two modern birthstones: peridot and spinel. Peridot is the traditional stone, known for its vivid olive-to-lime green color; spinel was officially added to the August birthstone list in 2016 and comes in a striking range of colors, from deep red to cobalt blue and soft pink.
Some older references include sardonyx as a historical August stone, but it rarely appears in modern birthstone jewelry. For most purposes today, peridot and spinel are the two stones associated with August.
Peridot: The Original Green Birthstone of August
Peridot is one of the few gemstones that comes in only one color: green. The exact shade ranges from a bright, almost electric lime to a deeper, more muted olive, depending on where the stone formed. Ancient Egyptians called it the gem of the sun and believed it carried protective power, wearing it to ward off negative energy, particularly at night.
Symbolically, peridot is associated with renewal, healing, good fortune, and protection. It sits at 6.5 to 7.0 on the Mohs hardness scale, which means it holds up well in pendants and earrings but requires some care in rings or bracelets that see frequent contact against hard surfaces.
The warm green of peridot pairs naturally with gold tones and the colors of late summer, making it a comfortable fit for jewelry worn from August through the autumn months.
Spinel: August's Second Birthstone
Spinel was added to August's official birthstone list in 2016, making it the most recent addition to any birth month's lineup. Unlike peridot, spinel comes in a wide sweep of colors: vivid red, hot pink, blue, purple, and orange, with deep red being the most valued. This variety makes it one of the most adaptable birthstones available.
Spinel ranks 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes it one of the more durable birthstones and a sound choice for pieces worn every day. Its symbolism centers on vitality, resilience, and hope. If the person you are shopping for gravitates toward color rather than a classic green, or prefers something unexpected, spinel is worth knowing about.
What Do August's Birthstones Mean as a Gift?
Giving someone jewelry in their birthstone is one of the oldest forms of thoughtful gifting, and both August stones carry meanings that translate well into the message a gift is meant to send. Peridot speaks to renewal and protection; spinel speaks to vitality and resilience. Either way, the piece carries a story, not just a design.
August birthdays span two zodiac signs: Leo (July 23 to August 22) and Virgo (August 23 to September 22). Leos often lean toward statement pieces and warm gold finishes; Virgos tend to prefer something cleaner and more refined. Both peridot and spinel suit either aesthetic, so the stone can be matched to the person rather than the other way around.
Is a Birthstone Name Necklace a Good August Birthday Gift?
Yes. A name necklace paired with a birthstone crystal is one of the most personal things you can give for a birthday, because it holds two specific details at once: the person's name and their birth month. It is also the kind of piece someone is unlikely to buy for themselves, which tends to make it land well as a gift.
Our Name Necklace with Birthstone is made to order, meaning the name and the stone are chosen specifically for the person receiving it. You select the name, pick the birthstone for August, and choose between polished stainless steel or an 18k gold finish. It starts at CAD $59.99 with free worldwide standard shipping, and every piece comes gift-ready on a keepsake card.
For August birthdays specifically, pairing a birthstone crystal with the name connects the piece to the person's birth month in a way a plain name necklace does not. It is a small detail that makes the gift feel considered rather than chosen in five minutes.
Browse all available birthstone options in our Birthstone Jewelry collection.
What Other Personalized Jewelry Works for an August Birthday?
The birthstone name necklace is the most direct option, but it is not the only one. Here are a few alternatives for different styles and price points.
Custom Name Necklace
If you want the personalization of a name without the birthstone, a custom name necklace in flowing script is a clean, wearable choice that works across age groups, from teenagers to grandmothers. Available in polished steel or 18k gold finish, starting at CAD $59.00.
Vertical Name Necklace
For someone with a longer name, or for anyone who prefers a more contemporary look, a vertical name necklace runs the name down a sleek bar pendant rather than across a traditional nameplate. It layers well with other chains and suits a minimalist wardrobe particularly well. From CAD $49.99.
Engraved Coordinates Heart Necklace
If you know a place that carries meaning to them, where they were born, where they grew up, or somewhere that holds a shared memory, an Engraved Coordinates Heart Necklace turns those coordinates into something wearable. It is a less obvious choice than a name necklace, but it requires more thought from the giver, which often means more impact for the recipient. From CAD $42.99.
How Far in Advance Should You Order for an August Birthday?
Because every piece at HussainTraders is made to order with your specific name, stone, and finish, it takes a few days to craft before shipping. As a general rule, placing your order at least 5 to 7 business days before the birthday gives comfortable room for production and standard shipping to most destinations in Canada and the United States.
International orders may need a day or two extra depending on the destination. All orders come with free worldwide standard shipping and a 30-day guarantee, so there is no risk in ordering. If the piece arrives and something is not right, contact the team and it will be resolved.
Can You Put Two Birthstones on One Necklace?
The Name Necklace with Birthstone carries one name in flowing script with a birthstone crystal set alongside it. If you are shopping for a mother or grandmother who wants something that represents more than one child, you can explore layering pieces over time, starting with one name necklace and adding a second to build something personal and ongoing.
If you already know the recipient has a plain name necklace, adding the birthstone version gives you a natural next gift rather than a duplicate of something they already own.
August Birthday Gift Ideas at a Glance
- Most personal: Name Necklace with Birthstone in the peridot shade, with their name, in gold or silver finish.
- Most classic: Custom Name Necklace in flowing script, always wearable, never dated.
- Most contemporary: Vertical Name Necklace for someone who prefers a cleaner, minimal look.
- Most sentimental: Engraved Coordinates Heart Necklace with a place that matters to them.
Everything is made to order, ships free worldwide, and arrives ready to give.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the birthstone for August?
August has two modern birthstones: peridot and spinel. Peridot is the traditional stone, a vivid green gem associated with renewal and protection. Spinel, added to the August birthstone list in 2016, comes in red, pink, blue, and purple, and symbolizes vitality and resilience. Sardonyx is the historical August stone but rarely appears in contemporary birthstone jewelry.
What color is the August birthstone?
Peridot, the most recognized August birthstone, comes only in shades of green, from bright lime to deeper olive. Spinel covers a much wider range and can be red, pink, blue, purple, or orange. In birthstone jewelry settings, green is the color most commonly used to represent August.
Is a name necklace with birthstone a good birthday gift?
Yes. A name necklace with a birthstone crystal combines two layers of personalization: the person's name and their birth month. It is the kind of gift someone is unlikely to buy for themselves. Our Name Necklace with Birthstone starts at CAD $59.99 with free worldwide shipping and a 30-day guarantee.
What is the difference between peridot and spinel?
Peridot is always green, ranging from lime to olive, and scores 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. Spinel is harder (8 on Mohs), comes in many colors including red, pink, blue, and purple, and was officially recognized as an August birthstone in 2016. Peridot is the more traditional choice; spinel suits those who want more color variety or a more durable stone for daily wear.
How long does a personalized birthstone necklace take to make?
Every piece at HussainTraders is made to order. Allow 5 to 7 business days for production and standard shipping within Canada and the United States. International orders may take a few extra days. All orders ship free and arrive with a 30-day guarantee.