Birthstone Jewelry – August the Peridot
Peridot is the contemporary birthstone for August, and in addition to being used in August birthstone jewelry is the gemstone selected to celebrate the sixteenth wedding anniversary. This particular gemstone is a type of olivine which is a combination of two minerals, foylite and forsterite. It is still quite ambiguous where the word peridot originates from, whether it is derived from the French word peritot, which means unclear or the Arabic word faridat, meaning gem. Whatever the case may be it was first called peridot by the French in the 18th century. Before this time the Peridot jewel was just called topaz.
For 4000 years peridot has been mined as a precious stone and is even mentioned in the Bible as the Hewbrew gem, pitdah. Peridot is the national precious stone of Egypt and was used in Egyptian jewelry from as early as fifteen hundred B.C. It was named the “sun gem” because miners from long ago believed that it shone with a light that made the crystal easy to locate. This exquisite precious stone is becoming increasingly fashionable perhaps because of the stories identifying it as the favorite jewel of Cleopatra.
Description of the Peridot Jewel
Over the years this valuable August gemstone has often been mistaken for other gemstones. The peridot birthstone can be described as a light sea green with tints of yellow. The gems most often mistaken for the peridot are garnets, apatite, zircon and emeralds, although these rarely have the appealing hint of yellow that looks so attractive with the peridot’s green color.
The Quality of Peridot Gemstones
Peridots having less than 17% iron and trace elements chromium and nickel are of the best quality. Peridot is produced in Mexico, Australia, Pakistan, Brazil, Germany, Ethiopia and the USA. In the past the highest quality peridot was found in Egypt but a quantity of remarkable specimens have been discovered in Pakistan that are challenging this claim.. The gemstones mined in Arizona are of inferior quality but are more abundant, which makes them much more affordable for many people. In the region of 85 – 95% of all world production of peridot is from Arizona. Gems from Pakistan and Egypt are far rarer and of better quality and thus are more expensive.
Mystical Beliefs About the Peridot
The lovely August birthstone is a symbol for dignity and it’s also considered armor for the body as it defends against negativity. It is also linked with stress reduction and relaxation. The Egyptians used this jewel to clean and heal the heart. A number of sicknesses such as fever and asthma were thought to be cured by placing crushed peridot under the tongue. Another belief is that setting the gemstone in gold will increase it’s powers.
August Birthstone Jewelry
Peridot is a beautiful jewel and is becoming increasingly popular. Peridot gemstones can be fun items to collect and they make lovely August birthstone jewelry gifts.
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