BIRTHSTONE FOR AUGUST: PRETTY PERIDOT
Peridot is the yellowish green to greenish yellow gem variety of the mineral olivine and the only stone that comes in one colour only. You may see different shades, but the colour will always be green because of the iron in its formation.
It is formed under extreme conditions as it can be found in the hardened lava that carried it from deep within the earth’s mantle. Peridot is the first known gem to also come from outer space! This was discovered in 1749 by Peter Pallas, a famous German naturalist.
Some modern designs with peridot.
The word “peridot” comes from the Arabic “faridat” meaning gem. Throughout history, peridot has often been confused with other green gems like emeralds. Peridot appeared in priest jewellery as early as the second century BC and later also in the chalices and churches of medieval Europe.
The most famous piece of art in the impressive Cathedral of Saint Peter and Mary in Cologne, Germany, is The Shrine of the Three Kings which is adorned with gold and more than a thousand gemstones, the green stones being peridots.
Peridot has also been used as a protective talisman, shielding the owner from evil spirits and “terrors of the night”. Peridot is the birthstone for August and the gem given to celebrate a 16th wedding anniversary.
Known as the stone of compassion, peridot is believed to bring good health, restful sleep and peace to relationships by balancing emotions and mind. This bright green stone is also believed to inspire eloquence, creativity and to bring delight and cheer.
The Egyptian Island of Zabargad is the oldest recorded source of peridot. Mining may have begun around 340 - 279 BC. The island produced beautiful stones, but its harsh conditions earned the island names like “Island of Death” and “Snake Island”.
Antique peridot pieces.
Most peridot seen in jewellery today comes from China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tanzania, Vietnam and the United States. Apparently, there is a Peridot beach in Hawaii, where the sand shimmers a luminous green due to a high content of crushed olivine.
Peridot is not a scarce gem, but unlike diamonds which are regulated to create superficial scarcity to inflate the price, this lovely green stone is affordable to many who would like to own some.
So pretty combined with other gems.
With a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on Mohs scale of hardness, peridot is softer than some gems and cannot take hard wear like in a ring that is worn daily. It can also be damaged by some acids and even by long-term exposure to acidic perspiration.
Peridot should be cleaned gently with a soft-bristle brush with warm, soapy water and not steam-cleaned or in an ultrasonic cleaner. Store this beautiful stone with care to avoid scratches from other jewellery.
If you are the lucky owner of a peridot piece of jewellery, enjoy it and wear it with pride!
Love and light till we chat again.
Shirley Rose
Sources: www.americangemsociety.org; www.firemountaingems.com; www.thediamantstore.co.uk; Pinterest for jewellery pictures.