Happy Birthday August Babies! Peridot became the August birthstone due to its ancient association with the month and its long history of adornment and reverence. The gemstone’s vibrant green color, reminiscent of lush summer landscapes, made it a natural choice for August. Historically, peridot has been cherished for thousands of years, with early records of mining on the Egyptian island of Zabargad as far back as 1500 B.C. The ancient Egyptians called it the "gem of the sun," and it was believed to protect against nightmares and bring the wearer power and influence. This rich history, combined with its appealing color and relative abundance, solidified peridot’s place as the birthstone for August, officially recognized by the American National Retail Jewelers Association (now Jewelers of America) when they created the modern birthstone list in 1912.

Formation and Origins

Peridot, the vibrant green gemstone, is a gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine. Its formation is quite intriguing as it is born from the earth's mantle rather than the crust, making it one of the few gemstones to have such an origin. Peridot is brought to the surface through volcanic activity and can also be found in meteorites, though this occurrence is rare. The gemstone forms under high temperatures and pressure conditions deep within the mantle, around 20 to 55 miles below the Earth's surface.

Significant deposits of peridot are found in countries like the United States (specifically Arizona and Hawaii), China, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Egypt. The gems from the Zabargad Island in the Red Sea, Egypt, are particularly renowned for their historical importance and quality.

Characteristics

Peridot is distinctive for its striking green color, which is caused by the presence of iron in its crystal structure. The intensity and hue of the green can vary, ranging from a yellowish-green to an olive or brownish-green, depending on the amount of iron present. The most valued peridots are those with a pure grass-green color without any brown or yellow overtones.

Peridot has a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, making it relatively durable but still susceptible to scratching and abrasion. It has a vitreous luster and a transparent to translucent diaphaneity. One of the unique optical characteristics of peridot is its strong double refraction, meaning you can see a double image of the facets when you look closely into the gemstone, i.e. extra shiny!

History

The history of peridot is rich and ancient. The earliest recorded mining of peridot dates back to as early as 1500 B.C. on the island of Zabargad (St. John's Island) in the Red Sea. Ancient Egyptians referred to it as the “gem of the sun” and believed it protected its wearer from terrors of the night.

Peridot derives its name from the Arabic word "faridat," meaning gem. The name reflects the gemstone’s ancient history and the regions where it was first discovered and cherished. Peridot has been known and prized for over 3,500 years, particularly in ancient Egypt, where it was mined on the island of Zabargad (also known as St. John's Island) in the Red Sea. The gem’s bright, vibrant green color and its association with the sun and nature likely contributed to its evocative name. Over time, the term "peridot" evolved through different languages and cultures, but its origin in the Arabic language highlights its early importance as a treasured gemstone.

Throughout history, peridot has adorned many significant pieces of jewelry and artifacts. The Crusaders brought peridot to Europe in the Middle Ages, where it was used in churches and cathedrals. Notably, peridot stones were used in the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in the Cologne Cathedral in Germany.

Meaning and Symbolism

Peridot is associated with various meanings and symbolic attributes. It is believed to bring good health, restful sleep, and peace to relationships by balancing emotions and mind. Known as the stone of compassion, peridot is thought to calm anger by giving renewal to all things. Its vibrant green color is also associated with growth, prosperity, and abundance.

Peridot, with its vivid green hues and fascinating origins, is not only a beautiful gemstone but also one with a profound history and rich symbolism. As the birthstone for August, it holds special significance for those born in this month, representing protection, prosperity, and peace. Peridot continues to captivate and enchant with its vibrant green hue.

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