Peridot | The Birthstone of August
With its brilliant green hue, the birthstone for August has more variety in shades than most other birthstones. Peridot, pronounced "Pair-uh-doe", can range from a deep green, to an olive green, and even a vibrant yellow-green. Sometimes known as the stone of compassion, peridot is believed to bring good health, restful sleep and peace to relationships by balancing emotions and mind. Some say that this friendly bright green stone also has the ability to inspire art and creativity. Peridot also brings delight and good cheer. It attracts love and calms anger by giving renewal to all things.
Recorded history of peridot dates all the way back to 1500 BCE, making it one of the oldest known gemstones. In ancient Egypt, peridot was known as "The Gem of the Sun", believed to protect its wearer from terrors of the night. In fact, many people now believe that Cleopatra's famous "emerald" jewels were actually peridot. In earlier times peridot was often mistaken for emerald. David Yurman has a beautiful new take on peridot jewelry. The ring above comes from the Novella Collection.
Most peridot formed deep inside the earth and was delivered to the surface by earthquakes or volcanoes. Some also came to earth in meteorites, but this extraterrestrial peridot is extremely rare, and not likely to be seen in retail jewelry stores. Most peridot mined today is found in Arizona, China and Pakistan. It is estimated that 80% of mined peridot comes from Arizona! Though peridot did see a revival in the 1990s when new deposits were discovered in Pakistan, producing some of the finest peridots ever found. Some of these “Kashmir peridots” measured more than 100 carats! Today this gem is still prized for its serine yellowish green hues and long history.
One tradition says that people born in August will not find love or a faithful partner unless they wear the gem. Peridot is also thought to aid in the success of marriage and other relationships. This may be because it is thought to encourage positive energy as well as suppress ego and jealousy. This may be why peridot is also the traditional gift for a 16th wedding anniversary!
Because of its volcanic origin, peridot is said to represent the tears of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire. Legends vary as to her origins, but old stories suggest Pele followed her star to Hawaii from elsewhere in Polynesia, much like the seafarers who reached the Hawaiian Islands in an epic feat of navigation and migration, around the time Europe was stuck in the Dark Ages.
Peridot is said to open, cleanse and activate the heart, which can help one to release old baggage. All burdens and guilt become cleared and a new psychological clarity and feeling of well-being begin. Peridot teaches that holding onto the past is counter productive. It can also help one understand their destiny and spiritual purpose, helping you attain your full potential. All in all, the stone sharpens the mind and opens it to new levels of awareness.
The ancients believed that it had the power to dissolve enchantments and to drive evil spirits away. Peridot was even able to strengthen the power of any medicine drunk from goblets carved from the gemstone. For peridot to exert its full powers as a talisman, it had to be set in gold and worn in this way. This David Yurman Venetian Quatrefoil Collection Necklace is the perfect showcase for this peridot birthstone.
The best and safest way for you to clean your peridot is with warm, soapy water. You should take special care of your peridot to ensure that it does not come in contact with drastic temperature changes, which can damage the stone. You should also protect your stone from scratches and sharp blows and avoid any contact with chemicals. Peridots should not be cleaned in ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
If you want to know more about this unique and beautiful birthstone, visit TIVOL at our Country Club Plaza or Hawthorne Plaza locations. A sales associate will be happy to assist!
