August's Birthstone - The Peridot
Green is the color of summer – green grass, green leaves, a green slice of lime floating lazily in a pitcher of margaritas… is it any wonder that the brilliant green peridot was chosen as the birthstone for August?
History and Folklore
Peridot has been used in jewelry since ancient times, some of the oldest examples of peridot jewelry are seen in ancient Egyptian jewelry from as early around 2000 BC. The Romans also treasured peridot, calling it the “emerald of the evening”. Medieval Europeans used it to adorn shrines and churches. Several immense peridots, more than 200 carats in size, decorate the shrine of the Magi in Germany’s Cologne (Koln) Cathedral. The largest faceted peridot is a 310 carat gem currently on display at the Smithsonian Institution.
It was believed, back in the day, that peridot could cure asthma and bring power to the wearer. Modern crystal healers claim the peridot will help you relieve stress and bring wealth and brightness into your life. In metaphysics, peridot is associated with the solar plexis chakra. It is also associated with the astrological signs of Leo, Virgo and sometimes Scorpio. [Shop for peridot rings]
Mineral Properties of the Peridot
The peridot is not related to any other green gemstones - not emerald, not tsavorite, not chrome diopside, not green quartz, tourmaline or jade. The lovely peridot stands completely alone – the sole gem quality variety of the mineral Olivine.
Olivine is created by extreme conditions, such as volcanic activity, occurring deep within the earth. Peridots are found in Arizona, Burma, Pakistan and China, with the latter two being the main suppliers of peridots at present. An early source of peridot was St John’s island in the Red Sea – it is there that the ancient Egyptians and Romans and the medieval Europeans are thought to have harvested this treasured gem stone. Hawaii is also a source of peridot, but Hawaiian peridot is generally in the form of tiny grains – too small to be suitable for use in jewelry.
Buying and Caring for Peridot Jewelry
The peridot is a low-maintenance gemstone. It is not a treated stone and it requires no special care. The only note of caution is that the peridot is a 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale – a 1 to 10 rating which measures a stone’s hardness. This is softer than most other colored gemstones so be careful when wearing peridot rings and be careful how you store your peridot jewelry, lest it get scratched when rummaging through your jewelry box!
The average price-per carat is well under $100 for smaller stones under 5 carats, with inclusion-free grass-green or yellowish lime-green hues being the most desirable. Prices climb for larger peridots, especially those of the finest quality.
If you want to add a touch of green to your wardrobe, peridots are gorgeous in earrings and necklaces, and when combined with other gemstones they make for a delightful rainbow of color!