Current:Home > StocksWhat is August's birthstone? There's actually three. Get to know the month's gems. -Golden Horizon Investments
What is August's birthstone? There's actually three. Get to know the month's gems.
View
Date:2025-04-23 03:09:12
Calling all Leos and Virgos born in August, your month has arrived. Getting a gift for someone's birthday isn't always a simple task, but things could be easier if you know their month's symbols.
Beyond flowers and Zodiac signs, each month also has at least one gemstone. For instance, May has the emerald, while July has the ruby. Other months, like June, have several jewel options.
But what about August's birthstone? Here's a guide to the summer month's stones:
August birthstone
Peridot, spinel and sardonyx are August's three birthstones.
Peridot is a yellow-green stone that comes from the mineral olivine.
Some believe its name derives from the Arabic "faridat," or "gem," according to Geological Institute of America. Others, however, believe peridot gets its name from the Greek word "peridona," meaning "giving plenty," the American Gem Society reports. The latter namesake is fitting since the gemstone is often associated with prosperity and good fortune.
Peridot has been mistaken for other stones − such as topaz and emerald − in the past, the Geological Institute of America reports. Some historians believe Cleopatra's emerald collection was actually peridot.
The oldest-recorded source of peridot is the Egyptian island of Zabargad, according to the Geological Institute of America. Other mining sites include China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tanzania, Vietnam and the United States.
Peridot is often given as gifts for the sixteenth wedding anniversaries.
Spinel comes in a variety of colors, such as red, pink, orange, purple, blue and green. Due to this range, spinel has been confused with other gems. Some well-known rubies have turned out to be red spinel, including the "Black Prince's Ruby" from the Imperial State Crown.
The stone's name comes from the Latin "spina," meaning "thorn," according to the Geological Institute of America. This references the shape of spinel crystals.
Spinel can be found in many countries including Tajikistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tanzania and Pakistan, the Geological Institute of America reports.
The symbolism of spinel depends on its color. For instance, red spinel is associated with passion and devotion. Others believed red spinel could stop anger and bring harmony. It was also thought red spinel could help remedy all types of blood loss and inflammatory diseases, the Geological Institute of America reports.
Spinel is often given as a gift for a 22nd wedding anniversary.
Sardonyx is a combination of the minerals sard and onyx, which together form the reddish-brown or orange stone with bands of white or black.
The gem's name is also a mix. "Sard" references the ancient city "Sardis," according to the American Gem Society. While "onyx" derives from the Greek "onux," meaning "fingernail," the American Gem Trade Association reports.
Sardonyx was often used in Roman seals and signet rings during ancient times, according to the Geological Institute of America. During battle, Roman soldiers would wear sardonyx rings with Mars (the god of war) for protection.
India, Brazil, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Madagascar, Uruguay and the U.S. are producers of sardonyx, the American Gem Society reports.
This birthstone is associated with courage and happiness and was believed to help strengthen marriage and partnerships, according to the Geological Institute of America.
Want to learn more about other month's birthstones?
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Just Curious for more? We've got you covered
USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "What's my Zodiac sign?" to "What are angel numbers?" to "How to make a vision board?" − we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer.
veryGood! (31)
Related
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- New Research Rooted in Behavioral Science Shows How to Dramatically Increase Reach of Low-Income Solar Programs
- Sofía Vergara Shares Glimpse Inside Italian Vacation Amid Joe Manganiello Breakup
- Plans for I-55 Expansion in Chicago Raise Concerns Over Air Quality and Community Health
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Vying for a Second Term, Can Biden Repair His Damaged Climate and Environmental Justice Image?
- CBS New York Meteorologist Elise Finch Dead at 51
- invisaWear Smart Jewelry and Accessories Are Making Safety Devices Stylish
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- As Youngkin Tries to Pull Virginia Out of RGGI, Experts Warn of Looming Consequences for Low-Income Residents and Threatened Communities
Ranking
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Developer Confirms Funding For Massive Rio Grande Gas Terminal
- RHOBH's Kyle Richards Celebrates One Year of Being Alcohol-Free
- Revisit Sofía Vergara and Joe Manganiello's Steamy Romance Before Their Break Up
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- This Texas Community Has Waited Decades for Running Water. Could Hydro-Panels Help?
- On Chicago’s South Side, Naomi Davis Planted the Seeds of Green Solutions to Help Black Communities
- How Wildfire Smoke from Australia Affected Climate Events Around the World
Recommendation
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
Advocates from Across the Country Rally in Chicago for Coal Ash Rule Reform
Biden’s Top Climate Adviser Signals Support for Permitting Deal with Fossil Fuel Advocates
Climate Change Made the Texas Heat Wave More Intense. Renewables Softened the Blow
Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
EPA Spurns Trump-Era Effort to Drop Clean-Air Protections For Plastic Waste Recycling
Q&A: The ‘Perfect, Polite Protester’ Reflects on Her Sit-in to Stop a Gas Compressor Outside Boston
EPA Proposes to Expand its Regulations on Dumps of Toxic Waste From Burning Coal