Often referred to as the "sun gem” or “gem of the sun”, the Peridot is a birthstone for August, and is synonymous with good health, peace and harmony.
Renowned for its intense light green colour, The Peridot is composed of the minerals olivine, silicate, magnesium, and iron. Its color comes from the amount of iron ore present in the stone. The more iron present, the more distinct the gem and the more valuable it is.
First discovered in Egypt, the Peridot is the national gem for Egypt and is believed to have adorned Queen Cleopatra. Also found in Hawaii, Peridot is significant to the Hawaiian people's culture, who believe the gem to be the tears of the volcanic goddess, Pele.
Measuring between 6.5 - 7 on the Mohs scale, the Peridot is a durable, hard gem, suitable for a variety of jewellery pieces, and is even used in engagement rings as a modern, more affordable alternative to the traditional diamond ring.
Did you know?
In addition to being an August birthstone, the Peridot also correlates with the zodiac sign of Cancer, and is traditionally given for the 16th wedding anniversaries.
Throughout history, peridot has been wrongly classified as emerald numerous times. Legend has it that Cleopatra’s legendary collection of emerald jewels were in fact peridots, while the 200 carats of green gems gracing the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in Germany’s Cologne Cathedral, which were for centuries believed to be emeralds, are, in fact, peridots.
Most gemstones are formed in the Earth’s crust. However, peridot is formed in the Earth’s mantle. The only other gemstone that is formed in the same place is diamond, making peridot a special and unique gemstone.
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