Not only do those celebrating August birthdays enjoy some of the loveliest weather of the year, they also have three beautiful birthstones to choose from — Peridot (the most popular), Sardonyx and Spinel. Here’s a little bit about what makes each stone so unique:

Peridot

One of the few gemstones that exists in only one color, Peridot is known for its signature lime green color. In ancient times, the Peridot was believed to be a gift from Mother Nature to signify the annual creation of a new world — green and lush. Today, most Peridot stones originate from Arizona, but they’re also found in China, Myanmar and Pakistan. Many people love Peridot for its bright, citrusy color, others for its reasonable price tag. The most common Peridot gemstones are smaller than three carats — but the larger they are, the bolder the beauty. Peridot can give you a truly striking look for an affordable price.

Sardonyx

Easily identified within its name, the Sardonyx is a form of onyx, immediately recognizable by its layers of reddish-brown and thin white. Very popular with ancient Greeks and Romans, Sardonyx was often engraved with images such as Mars of Hercules and carried into battle. Many fighters believed it would bring victory. The unique layers and durability of Sardonyx have also made it a lovely choice for fashion cameos over the years. Sardonyx is mined in various locales throughout the world, but the most attractive specimens typically come from India.

Spinel

Because Spinel comes in a variety of colors, it is often mistaken for Ruby or Sapphire — although it also comes in shades of orange, pink and purple. In fact, some of history’s most famous Rubies have actually turned out to be Spinel! Hundreds of years ago, Sanskrit writings referred to Spinel as a daughter of Ruby because they look so similar — however Spinels are actually more rare than Ruby, but can be found in much larger sizes. For this reason, vivid red is the most desirable color of Spinel gemstones.