As summer reaches its golden conclusion, August gifts us one of nature's most distinctive treasures — peridot. This vibrant green gemstone, with its unique olive hue and brilliant luster, has captivated the world for over 4,000 years. Often called the "evening emerald" for its ability to maintain its green color even under artificial light, peridot offers a refreshing contrast to the intense heat of late summer while embodying themes of renewal, prosperity, and protection.

A Gemstone Born in Fire

Peridot holds the distinction of being one of the few gemstones that occurs in only one color — a distinctive yellowish-green that ranges from pale lime to deep olive. This unique hue comes from the mineral olivine's chemical composition, which contains iron as its primary dye. Unlike many gemstones that derive their color from trace elements, peridot's green is an inherent part of its crystal structure.

What makes peridot truly extraordinary is that some of it literally comes from outer space. While most peridot forms deep inside the Earth and reaches the surface through volcanoes, some specimens have actually fallen from the sky in meteorites. This makes peridot one of the few gemstones that can be both earthly and cosmic in origin.

This connection to both Earth and space has made peridot seem magical throughout history. The stone forms under incredibly hot conditions deep underground—about 20-55 miles beneath our feet. Getting from there to a jewelry store is quite a journey, involving volcanic eruptions and millions of years of the Earth's changing landscape.

Ancient Origins and Mysterious Legends

Peridot's history stretches back to ancient Egypt, where it was mined on the remote volcanic island of Zabargad (also known as St. John's Island) in the Red Sea. Egyptian miners worked these deposits for over 1,000 years, often under harsh conditions and constant threat from venomous snakes that supposedly guarded the stones.

The ancient Egyptians called peridot the "gem of the sun," believing it protected its wearer from the terrors of the night. Cleopatra's famous emerald collection may have actually included many peridots, as the two stones were often confused in ancient times due to their similar green coloration.

Early Christians associated peridot with the apostle Bartholomew, and the stone adorns many religious artifacts and ecclesiastical jewelry. Medieval crusaders brought peridot back to Europe, where it was used to decorate churches and religious objects. The famous 200-carat peridot that adorns the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in Germany's Cologne Cathedral was long believed to be an emerald.

In Hawaiian culture, peridot represents the tears of Pele, the volcano goddess, connecting the stone to the islands' volcanic origins and the powerful creative forces of nature. This association with volcanic fire and divine tears speaks to peridot's dual nature of destruction and renewal.

August's Birthstone and Astrological Connections

Peridot serves as the traditional birthstone for August, offering those born in late summer a connection to one of nature's most distinctive green gemstones. However, August's astrological landscape presents interesting considerations for birthstone selection:

Leo (July 23 - August 22)

Most August birthdays fall under the radiant sign of Leo. While peridot can complement Leo's generous and warm-hearted nature, astrologers traditionally associate this fire sign with different stones:

Both stones support Leo's natural leadership abilities and help channel their dramatic flair into positive expressions of creativity and authority.

Virgo (August 23 - September 22)

As August transitions into its final days, the practical influence of Virgo takes center stage. For this earth sign, astrologers recognize both peridot and sardonyx as primary birthstones:

Metaphysical Properties

Peridot's vibrant green energy has inspired powerful metaphysical associations throughout history:

Peridot's connection to both the heart and solar plexus chakras makes it particularly valuable for those seeking to align their emotional wisdom with personal power and self-confidence.

Aesthetic Beauty and Symbolism

Peridot's most distinctive feature is its pure, vibrant green color that remains constant under different lighting conditions. Unlike emeralds, which can appear darker or lose their color under artificial light, peridot maintains its brilliant green glow, earning it the nickname "evening emerald." This optical property made peridot particularly valuable before the development of electric lighting, when gemstones were often viewed by candlelight or oil lamps.

The stone's symbolism centers on renewal, growth, and the life-giving power of nature. Peridot represents the fresh green of new spring growth, the abundance of late summer harvests, and the promise of continuous renewal. In color psychology, green promotes balance, harmony, and healing—qualities that peridot amplifies through its metaphysical properties.

In jewelry design, peridot offers versatility and distinctive beauty. Its yellow-green hue complements both warm and cool color palettes, while its excellent clarity and glassy luster create brilliant, eye-catching pieces. The stone works beautifully in both contemporary and vintage-inspired designs, bringing a fresh, natural element to any jewelry collection.

The Precious Nature of Peridot

While peridot is more abundant than many other gemstones, fine-quality specimens command significant value due to several factors:

The stone's affordable price point compared to other green gemstones makes it accessible to a wide range of jewelry lovers while still maintaining genuine value and beauty.

Mohs Hardness and Caring for Peridot Jewelry

Peridot's care requirements are particularly important to understand due to its specific physical properties:

Physical Properties:

Care Guidelines:

Setting Considerations

Given peridot's relative softness and brittleness, certain jewelry settings work better than others:

Heat Treatment and Enhancements

One of peridot's appealing characteristics is that it's rarely treated or enhanced. The vast majority of peridots on the market are completely natural, making them attractive to collectors and consumers who prefer unaltered gemstones. This natural beauty, combined with peridot's distinctive color, makes it a genuine and authentic choice in the gemstone world.

The delightful peridot offers a unique combination of natural beauty, ancient mystique, and accessible luxury. Whether appreciated for its extraterrestrial origins, historical significance, or metaphysical properties, peridot provides wearers with a connection to both earthly abundance and cosmic wonder.

For those born in August, this vibrant green gem captures the late summer's golden-green energy while promising continued growth, prosperity, and emotional healing. In a world increasingly focused on authenticity and natural beauty, peridot stands out as a genuinely untreated gemstone that offers both affordability and genuine significance.

The next time you see peridot's distinctive olive-green glow, remember that you're looking at a stone that may have traveled from the depths of space or the Earth's fiery mantle—a true child of both cosmic and terrestrial forces. In peridot, we find not just a beautiful gemstone, but a piece of the universe's creative power, crystallized in a form we can wear, cherish, and pass down through generations as a symbol of eternal renewal and natural abundance.

Looking to add the lovely peridot to your jewelry collection? Consider having a custom piece made with this gorgeous gemstone...set up a complimentary design consultation today!