Peridot is one of the birthstones for August and it is also the gem given to celebrate the 16th wedding anniversary!
Though not as popular as many other birthstones, Peridot was once sought after for centuries as a protective talisman, shielding the owner from evil spirits and “terrors of the night.” The word “peridot” comes from the Arabic faridat, meaning gem. The birthstone for August was highly prized in various ancient and medieval cultures. It appeared in priests’ jewelry as early as the 2nd century BCE and later in the chalices and churches of medieval Europe.
The color of Peridot has often been confused with Emerald and Topaz. Some historians even speculate that Cleopatra’s famous emerald collection may have comprised Peridot.
Although most of the Peridot seen in jewelry today comes from sources such as China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tanzania, Vietnam, and the United States, some journeyed to Earth on meteorites. In contrast, others can be found in exotic locations such as Peridot Beach, Hawaii, where the sands shimmer with a luminous green hue.
Peridot is the radiant gem variety of the mineral olivine, displaying a velvety, silky appearance and a rich glow as it bends and splits light, reflecting its beautiful yellowish-green to greenish-yellow hues.