August Birthstone Story

A gem of expression and spirit, the peridot birthstone is a storied gem that dates back to ancient Egypt. The August birthstone color has a stunning spring-green and yellow hue and is back in favor once again.

Peridot has been discovered on Mars and on the moon in its natural olivine form. It's found in lava, meteorites and deep in the earth's mantle. This vivid gemstone could be a gift from outer space!

What Birthstone is August?

The August birthstone is peridot perfection. The peridot birthstone is associated with the sun and has strong ties to space. While most gemstones are formed in the earth's crust, the peridot birthstone is the only gemstone besides the diamond to be formed in molten rock of the upper mantle. The enormous forces of earthquakes and volcanoes are what bring peridot to the surface. However, peridot gems have also been found in pallasite meteorites. Peridot is one of the few gemstones that can be found in only one color.

However, just because peridot isonly found in green, doesn't mean they are all are the same.

The peridot birthstone is a variety of the mineral olivine. Most peridot stones with the finest color come from Myanmar and Pakistan.

Shades of peridot range from light yellowish-green to a dark brownish-green. The most desired and valued peridot color is a deep, rich green without a hint of yellow or brown. Although peridot maintains its color and shines in many different lights and environments, August birthstones look best under natural light.

History of the August Birthstone Peridot

The August peridot gemstone is one of the oldest gemstones known to man. Records dating back as early as 1500 B.C. indicate the ancient Egyptians mined peridot on an island in the Red Sea called Topazios, known today as St. John's Island. These Egyptians referred to the peridot birthstone as the "gem of the sun."

Ancient Romans called it "evening emerald," since its color didn't darken at night. The gem name even has parallels in other long-used languages like Arabic ("faridat") and Hebrew ("pitdah").

The peridot gemstone is both a day and a night stone. August birthstones keep their shining color in various environments, even under artificial lighting.

What's more, the peridot birthstone was also used to decorate medieval churches. Leaders who wore peridot were considered to be gentle, fair and wise.

Some historians actually believe that Cleopatra's famous emerald collection might have been peridot instead. We can't know for sure, but considering how much the Egyptians valued the peridot, it's definitely possible.

In ancient beliefs, the peridot birthstone was a gift from Mother Nature to celebrate the creation of a new world. Ancients also believed that an explosion from the sun brought the peridot to Earth and that it carries the sun's healing power.

Meaning of the August Birthstone

August birthstones are often associated with the sun, giving them numerous amazing attributes and representations. Since the earliest of civilizations, the peridot birthstone has been valued for its protective powers to drive away any dark forces.

Some ancient wisdom holds that the peridot birthstone aids in overcoming fear and depression. August birthstones are also known to calm anger.

Furthermore, peridot is said to release jealousy, resentment and spite, so that you can move away from these negative feelings in a healthy and positive way. A symbol of strength, peridot represents warmth and prosperity. It is said to bring abundance in all areas of your life, including wealth, health, happiness and love.

Wearing the beautiful peridot birthstone can help make these attributes a part of your daily life. Peridot set in gold is said to bring peaceful sleep, especially for those who suffer from recurring nightmares. Wearing the August birthstone is also a token of luck and, as a sunstone, could help inspire positivity in your life.

August Birthstone Care

The peridot is durable enough for everyday wear. However, as with any precious stone, you do have to be careful.

The gemstone is a 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, meaning it has fair to good toughness. It can be damaged from sudden drops in temperatures. For this reason, it's best not to wear your peridot while swimming or taking a shower. You should also be careful about any hard hits that can happen to the stone. Store peridot jewelry separately from other gemstone jewelry to keep it from scratching.

To best clean your peridot, use warm soapy water. Let the peridot soak in the bowl with warm soapy water for several minutes and use a toothbrush to gently clean the stone. Because of the temperature sensitivity, steam cleaners or other mechanical cleaning machines are not recommended for peridot care.

Shop August Birthstones

The gorgeous peridot gemstone can be cut in a variety of different distinct shapes such as oval-cut, emerald-cut and cushion-cut, creating a fashion ring that really stands out.

It looks beautiful accompanied by any precious metal, but wearing peridot set in white gold or sterling silver really allows this gemstone to shine. Shop the entire Peridot birthstone collection including simple gemstone earrings or a beautiful gemstone necklace from Zales.