August Birthstone: Peridot

Peridot, August’s mystical vibrant green birthstone, is also the stone given to celebrate the 16th year of marriage. The Peridot is one of few gemstones to come in one colour, it varies in shade from zesty lime to rich olive green. Perhaps the yellow or brown pigmentation present in many varieties of this verdant gemstone hints at the changing season as summer draws to a close.

Widely believed to derive from the Arabic ‘faridat’ meaning ‘gem’, some scholars agree the word peridot is rooted in the Greek word ‘peridona’ which means ‘giving plenty’. This may explain why peridot is associated with prosperity and good fortune.

On rare occasions the peridot gemstone has emanated from extraterrestrial sources. Meteorites containing peridot have fallen to Earth and sightings of the stone on Mars have made it the only gemstone known to form on another planet.

Often mistaken for emerald, peridot has long been called the ‘evening emerald’ since it glows with luminous intensity under artificial light. Its hypnotic hues have enticed many an admirer and some historians claim that Queen Cleopatra’s famous collection of emerald jewels may have actually been peridot.

GEMSTONE MEANING

A symbol of health and protection, peridot has been used as a talisman to ward against evil spirits and to dispel negative emotions particularly in matters of love.

Peridot has been prized since the earliest civilizations for its protective powers to drive away the forces of darkness. Peridot protects one’s aura, alleviating emotional burdens and guilt, as well as suppressing ego and jealousy.

MYTHOLOGY

Peridot was known as the “Gem of The Sun” by the ancients. They believed that it had the power to dissolve enchantments and to drive evil spirits away. For peridot to exert its full powers as a talisman, it had to be set in gold, and when worn in this way, it was thought to dispel the terrors of the night.

INTERESTING FACTS

- Peridot is the national gemstone of Egypt
- In 2005, peridot was found in comet dust brought back from the Stardust robotic space probe.
- The use of peridot in jewellery and other applications dates as far back as the ancient Egyptians from around 1500 BC, making it one of the oldest gemstones.

Our full range of peridot is not covered online however, come and visit us in-store; enjoy a drink and let our team show you some fantastic peridot stones. We can even design something special for you from scratch! We look forward to seeing you soon.