August Birthstone: The Vibrancy of Peridot

The August birthstone is the vivid peridot, a vibrant gem known for it's signature grass green colour. It is actually one of the few gemstones that only occur in one colour. Often confused with emeralds, spinel, or topaz, the name peridot comes from the Arabic word for "gem". Peridot has long been associated with light. Egyptians called it "the gem of the sun", and others have claimed that it can ward off darkness. As well as it's position as the August birthstone, peridot is also the traditional gift for the 15th wedding anniversary.

August Birthstone Meaning and History

Peridot has been mined by humans for centuries. The earliest records of this gem being unearthed are from the Ancient Egyptians, who discovered the August birthstone on an island called Topazios in the Red Sea.

The August birthstone has been prominently utilised in fine jewellery across the globe for centuries. It was commonly found adorning sacramental tools and churches of medieval Europe, and priests' jewellery from as early as the second century BCE.

Peridot is often mistaken for other green gems, particularly emerald. In fact, many now believe that Cleopatra's famed collection of emeralds may have actually been peridot! This confusion endured throughout medieval times and across the globe. A famous example of this are the magnificent gems which adorn the shrine of the Three Holy Kings which is located in the Cologne Cathedral, Germany. For centuries the 304 peridot set into the shrine were mistaken for emeralds.

In folklore, peridot is considered a protective stone. Some people believe that it can ward off evil spirits, and combat darkness.

 

Where Does Peridot Come From?

The origins of the August birthstone are genuinely fascinating. Unlike most gems (and we really mean all but one other gem), peridot forms not in the Earth's crust but the upper mantle. This means that extreme force is needed to bring peridot close enough to the surface for us to mine. Our most common source of  extreme force in the Earth's mantle and crust is, of course, volcanic eruptions. The August birthstone can be found where lava is present, although gem quality peridot is much more rare even than the conditions required for it to form.

Peridot is most abundant in volcanic areas. The majority of gem quality peridot comes from China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tanzania, Vietnam and the United States.

The August birthstone can also find itself in the forefront of exciting geological phenomena. Thanks to high volcanic activity in the area, there is an entire beach in Hawaii that is known as peridot beach, where the sand shimmers green with the presence of the gem. In 2018 it even rained peridot on Hawaii's big island. Even more rarely, peridot can arrive on Earth via a meteorite.

How to Choose Your August Birthstone

Colour:

Peridot is only ever green, but the tone can range from a brownish green to yellowish green to a pure grassy colour. The most high value peridot displays a deep, saturated grass green colour. This rich tone is only present in gems over 10 carats. Since this green is not common in standard sized gems, it is not relevant when you are buying jewellery.

In smaller (below 10 carat) examples of the August birthstone, the yellowish green colour is more highly valued than gems that show brown tones. The peridots displaying the best colour tend to originate from Myanmar and Pakistan.

Clarity:

As with most gems, an inclusion free and perfectly clear peridot will always hold the most value. The August birthstone is not particularly prone to inclusions, which sets it apart from other rare minerals like emerald. When peridot do have inclusions, they tend to be of the "lily pad" variety. These look like reflective discs inside the gem, and while "inclusion" sounds unattractive, can be quite beautiful. Peridot can also contain small deposits of other minerals which appear like black spots inside the gem.

 

Cut:

The August birthstone is available in a myriad of cuts, from round to marquise. A gem cutter will choose the best shape to maximise the colour payoff from each piece of rough peridot.

Carat:

Peridot can form in very large sizes, in fact, fine quality gems range from 10-50 carats! The most sought after colour in peridot is only possible in gems of this size. Smaller sizes appropriate for jewellery are plentiful, equally as beautiful, and relatively affordable.

How To Care For Your August Birthstone Jewellery

Peridot is a relatively soft gem. Sitting at a 6.5-7 on the Mohs hardness scale, this gem requires some care to ensure that it does not become damaged. If you do want to wear a peridot every day, you should choose a piece of jewellery to house it which has protective features included in the design. Things like a bezel setting or diamond halo can protect a softer gem from some knocks and scratches.

This gem is sensitive to thermal shock, so it is not suitable to clean in an ultrasonic cleaner. Instead, use a soft brush and mild soap to clean your jewellery.

As with all fine jewellery we do recommend removing your August birthstone ring when cleaning, working out, gardening, or any other strenuous activity.

How to Buy an August Birthstone Ring

If you would like to purchase a ring featuring a peridot, we would love to help you out! Get in touch with our in-house bespoke jeweller to discuss your options for this fascinating gem.