The Gemstone of August - Peridot

Submitted by: martinmallett

August’s birthstone is Peridot and comes from the Arabic word “faridat” which means gem. Peridot is regularly referred to as the evening emerald because when put under artificial light it has a green glow. Peridot is also given as the 16th anniversary gemstone.

Ancient Greek and Roman jewelry was often heavy in peridot and has been admired all the way back to 1500 BC when the Egyptians first began mining it. Egyptians referred to the stone as the “gem of the sun” and even believed it had the ability to decrease anxiety, enhance verbal communication, and help in the success of marriages.

The transparent colors in peridot come in a range of greens ranging from a light yellowish green to a deep olive color. The truer the green hue is of the peridot the most pricey it is going to be. If there is any slight color of brown in your peridot it greatly lowers the value as well as any obvious flaws.

You are able to find peridot crystals in the black sands of Hawaii where this certain gemstone is somewhat abundant. You are able to find peridot here in large sizes. The Hawaiians think that peridot is the tears of Pele, their volcano deity.

While peridot is most abundant in Hawaii you can also find it as far away as Burma, Norway, Brazil, Australia, the Congo, and even Arizona. You can be sure that whereever it is found it is an amazing gem stone.

Peridot is said to have helped dreams become real and has been given the emblem of fame, strength, and energy. Peridot is found in Europe in medieval churches, heavily decorating treasures including the Cologne Cathedral.

It is known that Egyptian priests drank from cups made of peridot with the belief that it would draw them nearer to Isis, the goddess of nature.