Peridot: It's More Than Simply the August Birthstone

These Peridot gemstones are featured in our shop collection

If you were asked to name as many birthstones as possible in one minute, how many could you come up with? Certainly some would roll easily off your tongue, like Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby. Perhaps Amethyst and Garnet would make a showing as well. But Peridot? Even many with August birthdays couldn’t identify the name of their own birthstone, let alone tell you its color. Well, maybe it’s time for Peridot to make a grand entrance and be the belle of the ball.

This precious gemstone, formed in Earth’s mantle and mined everywhere from Australia to the United States, was referred to as the “gem of the sun” by the ancient Egyptians. Other early civilizations have claimed it to have restorative powers and the ability to combat nightmares and depression. Commonly found in lava, Peridot (pronounced pair-i-doh) has also made its debut on rare occasions in meteorites, perhaps making it safe to argue that it’s out of this world!

Peridot’s green hue can appear lighter or darker within each stone, depending on its iron content. While the Emerald has long been a popular selection for verdant jewelry, Peridot is beginning to give the Jolly Green Giant a run for its money. One of our most iconic style mavens, The Duchess of Cambridge, has sported Peridot gems on her dainty ears recently. Others are following suit, discovering the beauty and uniqueness of this beautiful gem.

We invite you to browse our website or visit our store to view the lovely Peridot pieces we have available.

Sources:

Gemological Institute of America

British Vogue

International Gem Society