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Peridot is the modern birthstones for August. Sardonyx (Carnelian banded Onyx) is the traditional birthstone. Diamonds, sapphire and jade are also used.
Peridot is a stone of prosperity and growth, and is also used to promote warmth and well-being. It is used to cleanse and stimulate the heart and solar plexus chakras. It helps to remove blockages that hinder us in receiving healing and abundance. It is also used to bless and energize one's work.
Peridot is used to alleviate heaviness "a of the heart, " to strengthen the blood and it is helpful in combating all inhalant addictions.
Peridot is also useful in communicating with other earth-beings: fairies, plants, animals, stones and crystals.
 Peridot (pronounced "per-i-doe") is gem-quality forsteritic olivine. The chemical composition of peridot is (Mg, Fe)2SiO4, with Mg in greater quantities than Fe. It has a hardness of 7.
The origin of the name "peridot" is uncertain. The Oxford English Dictionary suggests an alteration of Anglo-Norman pedoretés (classical Latin paederot-), a kind of opal, rather than the Arabic word faridat, meaning "gem".
Forsteritic Olivine in general is a very abundant mineral, but gem quality peridot is rather rare.
Peridot is one of the few gemstones that occur in only one color: basically an olive green. The intensity and tint of the green however depends on how much iron (Fe) is contained in the crystal. The color of peridot gems can vary from yellow-green through olive to brownish green. The most valuable is considered a dark-olive green color.
Peridot is the only gemstone found in meteorites.
Peridot olivine is sometimes mistaken for emeralds and other green gems. In fact notable gemologist George Frederick Kunz once discussed the confusion between emeralds and peridots in many church treasures, notably the "Three Magi" treasure in the Dom of Cologne, Germany. It is also thought that Cleopatra's famous "emeralds" were in fact peridot crystals.
See our selection of Peridot Jewellery here. |
