August Peridot
Birthstone
Embrace your green, ancient, cosmic, birthstone! Known as a symbol of opportunity and prosperity, peridot is beloved by many. A form of Olivine (think olive green), a mineral composed of magnesium and iron, that only occurs naturally in one color.
Peridot has also been used for centuries as a protective talisman, shielding the owner from evil spirits and “terrors of the night.
Today, when the stone isn’t found in meteorites, peridot can most commonly be found in Myanmar, Pakistan, Norway and the United States, particularly Arizona. It has also been found in Ethiopia and the Antarctic. Its original occurrence, the island of Zabargad in the Red Sea, is no longer producing. The sand on the Big Island’s Papakolea Beach is a rare and beautiful green hue due to a high content of crushed olivine.
Peridot is associated with fame, dignity, purity and growth. The stone is said to increase patience and confidence, cleanse negative emotions and protect against negative energy. As a symbol of prosperity and openness, they bring joyful and creative energy. The stone is said to release stress, detoxify and heal the whole body while stimulating the mind. Peridots are also used to treat major emotions like anger and jealousy.
This traditional stone is gifted on the 16th marriage anniversary, and said to inspire purification, rebirth and growth.
One famous fan of peridot earrings is the Duchess of Cambridge, or Princess Kate, who has frequently been seen in a pair of peridot, blue topaz, and diamond earrings.
The August birthstone, however, only comes in subtle shades of green. It is unique in its specificity. Peridot ranges in color from yellowish lime green to deep, earthy olive tones, making them a very sought after jewelry choice. Yellowish-green peridots are very common, as pure green peridots are quite rare. However, brownish peridots are considered undesirable and not very valuable.
It goes without saying that the best stones are those without any secondary tones, that exhibit intense color. These are very rare and are often found in larger sized peridots.
Peridot that used for jewelry is generally eye-clean with no inclusions. Because the stone is highly transparent, inclusions within the stone can easily be seen. Where there are inclusions, the price of the peridot drops dramatically and the stone loses its value.
While smaller sized peridots are generally flawless to the naked eye, larger stones may sometimes contain inclusions which dull the stone and give it a cloudy appearance. Some common inclusions in peridot are disc shaped impurities (also called ‘lily pads’ due to their shape) as well as foreign mineral crystals that can appear black.
It is critical to evaluate the clarity of the peridot before you purchase to ensure that there are no visible inclusions in the stone.
Note: Generally, if a gemstone is less included it is more valuable. However, there are those rare exceptions such as chatoyancy in gemstones where the inclusions can actually raise the value of the stone.
Peridot can be cut into all the popular gemstone shapes, such as round, princess, marquise, oval, emerald, radiant, heart and cushion. Because it is highly transparent, gemstone cutters tend to facet it in order to increase its brilliance.
Peridot gemstones that are under 5 carats are generally quite reasonably priced. Small peridot stones are easily found whereas larger sizes are rare and can be very pricey. For peridots over 5 or so carats, the price rises dramatically.
The Egyptians called peridot the “gem of the sun,” and some thought that it protected against nightmares. It was also believed to bring the wearer confidence, power, and general good luck and health.
Some of the most magnificent peridot jewels I have adored & ever sold at Sotheby’s as follows :
