August Birthstone – Peridot

Peridot is the modern August birthstone and the gem designated for the 16th wedding anniversary. See other August birth stones:  Traditional, Contemporary, Mystical, Ancient, Zodiac and Star signs.

Peridot (pronounced pair-a-doe) is a transparent yellowish-green Magnesium/Iron Silicate. It is a gem variety of the mineral Chrysolite or Olivine and its chemical formula is given by: (Mg,Fe)2SiO4.

Peridot ranges in color from light yellow-green to the intense bright green of new spring grass to olive. Because of the way peridot splits and bends the rays of light passing through it, it has a velvety appearance, a rich glow, and a slightly greasy luster. The purer green a peridot is the higher the value. Any tinges of brown or visible flaws greatly diminish the price

The best-colored peridot has an iron percentage of less than 15% and includes nickel and chromium as trace elements. It is not clear whether the word peridot comes from the Arabic word faridat, which means gem or if it is derived from the French word peritot which means unclear. In the 18th century, the French were the first to call this yellowish-green stone peridot. Before this time, peridot was called topaz. Peridot has been mined as a gemstone for an estimated four thousand years and is mentioned in the Bible under the Hebrew name of pitdah.

It is said that miners searched for peridot crystals at night because the moonlight made the crystals easier to see. They would mark the location and come back in the daylight to dig them up. It was used by the Egyptians as early as 1500 BC and was considered the gem of the sun.

Gem quality peridot comes from Zagbargad Island in the Red Sea, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), Pakistan, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Australia, Arizona and Hawaii, USA. The best quality peridot has historically come either from Myanmar or Egypt but in 1994 a new deposit of peridot was discovered in Pakistan which produces some of the finest stones. This mine is located in the Nanga Parbat region in the far west of the Himalayan Mountains in the Pakistani part of Kashmir. Large crystals have been found in this area, one stone was more than 300 carats. The gem material found in Arizona is of lesser quality, and because it is an abundant source, it is much more affordable.

The most unusual olive green gem is that which comes from meteorites called pallasites. Moldavite is found in the Czech Republic and believed to have arrived from space in a meteor about 14.8 million years ago. Because this stone contains crystals of olivine and has a similar color it is often confused with peridot. Some of these extraterrestrial gems are very beautiful though and have been faceted and set into jewelry.

Most of the world production of peridot comes from Arizona while peridot from Myanmar, Pakistan and Egypt is more rare and finer quality. Price for stones from these areas will be higher and similar to prices for other top quality colored gems.

Peridot gems were probably used in the fabled Breastplates of the Jewish High Priest and historical legend says that peridot was the favorite gemstone of Cleopatra, although at the time they were called emeralds.

Peridot has been confused with emeralds although peridot, being a more yellow or olive color, is a completely different shade of green than an emerald. Other green gemstones that may be confused with peridot are apatite, green garnets and moldavite.

Peridot is considered a tonic for the whole body and protects the wearer from negativity. It is associated with stress reduction and relaxation. Egyptians used peridot to clean and heal the heart. Powdered peridot has been used to cure asthma and a peridot placed under the tongue of someone in the grip of a fever is said to lessen his or her thirst. Legend has it that drinking from a peridot goblet can increase the potency of medicines.

Many gem scholars agree that the tradition of birthstones arose from the Breastplate of Aaron described in the Bible (Exodus 28, 15-30). The breastplate was a ceremonial religious garment set with twelve gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of Israel and corresponded with the twelve signs of the zodiac and the twelve months of the year.

There are 13 different stones listed as birthstones for the calendar month of August, or as Sun/Star, Planetary, or Talismanic stones for the Zodiac sign of Leo or Virgo. Because these two Zodiac signs span part of August, both are listed in this table.

Birthstones for the calendar month of August are peridot, sardonyx, diamond, sapphire, ruby, alexandrite, and carnelian.

The Zodiac signs of Leo and Virgo include six additional stones: tourmaline, onyx, citrine, zircon, jade, and jasper. 

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