Jewellery & Watch News
Those born in August have three different birthstones to choose from. Originally, the August birthstone was sardonyx and then in 2016, the rich red tones of spinel was added. Before that however, the primary birthstone for August was Peridot - the gemstone we will be looking at today. Its brilliant lime green glow can often be mistaken for Emerald, and in fact, Peridot is even referred to by some as ‘the Evening Emerald’, however Peridot tends to have a lighter more olive-coloured hue compared to the deeper greens of emeralds.
History of Peridot
The first recorded existence of peridot dates back to 23-79 AD, to ancient naturalist Pliny the Elder who discovered it on a small island off the coast of Egypt. It is believed to have been a site guarded by ancient Egyptians and was previously a source of Cleopatra’s ancient emeralds which may have instead actually been peridots. Today, peridot is still considered the National Gem of Egypt. It was also the Romans who called peridot the “evening emerald” because of the way they caught and reflected lamplight. Roman soldiers would also wear them on their right arms in battle as they believed they provided protection against the enemies.
Many scholars argue about the origins of Peridot’s name. Some believe that the word “peridot” is derived from the Arabic “faridat”, which means “gem” while others argue it comes from the Greek word “peridona” meaning “to give plenty”. The latter is one of the many reasons people associate Peridot with prosperity and good fortune. The August birthstone is also closely connected to Hawaiian culture. The stone has been found on the ground around volcanos, something the locals believe to be the tears of the volcano goddess, Pele. As well as being the August birthstone, Peridot is often given to celebrate a 16th anniversary of marriage.
Where is Peridot found?
Peridot, the August gemstone, is found in a plethora of places. Some of the more modern suppliers include China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tanzania, Vietnam and the United States, with some of these sources believed to have journeyed to Earth on meteorites. As we’ve already mentioned, Peridot can also be found in Hawaii and there is even a beach named after the gemstone where you can find the olive green stones hiding within the sand. One of the oldest recorded sources of the August birthstone is the Egyptian island of Zabargad, now known as Topazios. Mining for peridot began here between 340-279BCE and examples of these gemstones are considered some of the highest value.
Properties of Peridot
Peridot comes in a variety of beautiful green shades from pastel green to lime green, sea green to darker shades of olive. It’s signature green colour comes from the trace impurities, and it is one of only a few gemstones that only comes in one colour. It’s differing green shades however depend on how much iron is present. The August birthstone is also a common mineral olivine which forms deep inside the Earth’s mantle and brought to the surface by volcanoes – hence the large quantities of Peridot found in places like Hawaii. It is a robust gemstone which comes between 6.5 and 7 on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness.
Peridot Jewellery
Whether you’re celebrating an August birthday, buying for a partner for your 16th wedding anniversary or you’re simply in love with the enchanting green hues of the gemstone, Peridot jewellery is a must-have every lady’s jewellery collection. Its wonderfully versatile properties means it can be worn for all occasions and when paired with other gemstones, like diamond or emerald, its contrasting composition looks truly extraordinary.
You can shop a huge range of Peridot jewellery and August birthstone jewellery on the C W Sellors website including Peridot necklaces, Peridot pendants, Peridot bracelets, Peridot earrings, Peridot rings, Peridot brooches and Peridot cufflinks. Get in touch with the team today for more information on the Peridot gemstone and the interest free finance and free next day delivery available.
