How Peridot and Spinel differ in what they are, color, hardness and care.
| Peridot | Spinel | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A gem form of the mineral olivine, one of the few gems found in only one color family: green. | A hard, durable gem that is often mistaken for ruby or pink sapphire. Added as an August birthstone in 2016. |
| Birthstone for | August | August |
| Colors | Vivid green with slight golden undertones; Golden green; Lime | Vivid red; Cobalt blue; Bright pink; Bright orange; Violet; Purple; Green; Brown; Gray; Black |
| Mohs hardness | 6.5 to 7 | 8 |
| Toughness | Fair to good. Wear with care to avoid scratches and hard blows. | Good, which makes it a durable choice for jewelry. |
| Everyday wear | Wear with care | Good for everyday wear |
| Ultrasonic cleaner | Not recommended | Usually safe (fractures can be a problem) |
| Main sources | Arizona (US), Pakistan, Myanmar (Burma), China | Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Vietnam |
| Common treatments | Not stated | Some spinel is heat treated (stable). Fracture filling is rare. |
Spinel is the harder of the two (8 on the Mohs scale). Both are August birthstones, so either makes a fitting gift. Choose by the color you love and how the piece will be worn; for a ring worn every day, the tougher stone will last better.
Sources: GIA: Peridot care and cleaning, AGS: Peridot, GIA: Spinel care and cleaning, AGS: Spinel. Checked October 16, 2026.
Birthstone of the month
On the first of each month: that month's birthstone, what it means and how to care for it.
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