August Birthstone Meaning: The Power of Peridot Explained!

August may lack big celebrations and holidays universally recognized, but it holds a beauty in its quiet form. It’s the waning days of summer, when warm zephyr and sunset golds remind us to make the most of the season before fall sweeps in its wake. In harmony with its theme of transition and balancing, August’s birthstone is Peridot—a rich, deep-green gem that’s famous for its rarity, heavenly origin, and symbolic connotations with wealth and healing.

Despite being a lesser-known birthstone, peridot possesses a uniqueness that sets it apart from any birthstone. In this article, we will discover peridot’s fascinating origin, its distinguishing feature, and its symbolic meaning, and its application in jewelry such as birthstone necklaces, custom necklaces, and birthstone rings.

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August Birthstone: Peridot at a Glance

To better understand peridot’s uniqueness, let’s compare its behavior with that of other well-known stones.

Feature	Peridot
Mineral group	Olivine (a group of silicates)
Color	Olive green to yellow-green
Mohs Hardness	6.5 – 7 (fairly durable)
Found In	Earth’s mantle, meteorites
Symbolism	Wealth, healing, protecting
Common Jewelry	Rings, pendants, bracelets

Unlike most stones, peridot is one of a mere two gems (the other being diamond) that comes deep in the Earth’s mantle. Peridot’s outlandish origin, together with its rarity and rich, emerald-green colors, make it a birthstone standout.

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What is Peridot? August’s Birthstone with a Very Interesting History

Peridot, sometimes simply chrysolite, is a gem that comes in its origin in the rock olivine. Peridot, a ubiquitous constituent of Earth’s upper mantle, is incredibly infrequent in its gem form. What’s even more astonishing about this rock is that a portion of the peridots in our planet have an outer-space origin. Peridots have been found in pallasite meteorites in crystalline form, and it’s one of a group of a few gemstones with an outer-space origin.

How Peridot is Formed

Unlike most stones, peridot is actually produced deep in the earth’s mantle, over 20 miles below ground level. Peridot reaches the earth’s surface through volcanic eruptions and tectonic activity. Due to its deep origin, high-quality peridot is incredibly rare and even more difficult to obtain in its undamaged form.

Peridot’s Colorful Uniqueness

Most gemstones have a variety of colors in relation to their mineral make-up, but peridot is one of a handful of exceptions that have a range of shades of only green. Peridot owes its rich hue to an inclusion of iron in the gem, and its colors range between yellow-green and deep, rich, olive-green colors. Peridot with a darker and deeper green color commands a higher price tag.

Peridot and Emerald: What’s the Difference?

Because of its emerald-green hue, peridot can sometimes be confused with emerald. Nevertheless, both stones have a variety of distinguishing factors:

• Emeralds belong to the family of beryl minerals, and peridots in olivine
• Peridots have a yellow-green hue, but emeralds have a deeper, blue-green one.
• Emeralds, overall, appreciate in value, but peridot holds a one-of-a-kind radiance, an “evening emerald,” when under artificial lights, it glows with a gold-green glow.

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The Peridot Meaning: What Peridot Stands For

Peridot has bewitched cultures for centuries with its radiant beauty and supposed magical powers. Peridot, with its name of “Gem of the Sun,” has long been associated with protection, wealth, and rebirth.

1. A Stone of Healing and Protection

Ancient Egyptians regarded peridot as a sacred stone fallen from the stars and regarded it with powerful curative powers. Peridot was regarded with a view to driving out demons, healing disease, and bestowing its wearer with peace and calm. Peridot in its powdered form was taken during purification ceremonies by priests, and it could cleanse both soul and body, in their view.

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Peridot was also inserted in gold jewelry in an attempt to boost its protective aura, a practice that continued over centuries. Peridot amulets were donned by Medieval warriors in an attempt to protect them and sailors took it with them in an attempt to calm stormy seas and shoo away nightmares.

2. Wealth and Affluence

Peridot has long been associated with success, wealth, and prosperity. Because it is a rare gem, having peridot in early days was a marker of wealth and prosperity. In fact, even a part of cultures deemed having peridot in one’s residence could attract financial success and abundance.

3. Personal Rebirth and Growth

Much like August’s rich emerald-colored settings, peridot is linked with rebirth and individual growth. Peridot is a sign of having the ability to shed outdated burdens and move on with clear and assured determination. Peridot is said to make one grasp new horizons and overcome inner conflicts when one adorns it.

4. Association with Horoscopes and Birth Flowers

Peridot’s vibrant green color perfectly harmonizes with August’s birth flowers—the poppy and gladiolus, both signifying integrity, vigor, and sincerity of heart. Peridot is closely linked with the zodiac sign of Leo and Virgo and heightens confidence, inventiveness, and intelligence.

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How to Style Peridot: Fashion and Jewellery

Thanks to its vibrant glow and striking green color, peridot is a jewelry staple. Peridot is a go-to for both bold statement jewelry and subtle accents alike, with its versatility allowing it to become an understated beauty in any collection.

1. Birthstone Jewellery

Peridot’s brilliant emerald-green radiance makes it a stunning choice for birthstone pendants. Peridot in a solitaire pendant with a gold mounting will accent its warm colors, but silver settings can have a cool, modern contrast.

2. Birth Rings

Since ancient times, birthstone peridot rings have been utilized as protective and lucky talismans. Peridot’s inner glow can be amplified with a diamond halo setting and its beauty can be emphasized with a bezel setting in a simple and understated manner, and let its beauty speak for itself.

3. Personalised Jewellery and Personalised Necklaces

For a distinctively individual style, go for custom-made necklaces with peridot accompanied with complementary stones like amethyst and citrine. For a custom detail, go for custom pendants with personalized emblems or monograms to make your jewelry stand out distinctly your own.

4. Bracelets and Earrings

• Peridot jewelry is a simple yet elegant way to integrate this gem in casual wear.
• Stud and drop earrings with peridot can make a striking splash of color in any wardrobe.

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Birthstone Chart: All 12 Birthstones in Detail

Curious about birthstones? Check out this birthstone chart for a deep dive into the rich heritage and meaning of each birthmonth’s birthstone.

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Peridot, a Gem That is Well Worth Learning About

Though often overshadowed in prominence by its more famous counterparts, peridot is one of the most intriguing and exotic birthstones. With its deep origin below the Earth’s mantle and its heavenly presence in meteorites, peridot is a gem of beauty, wonder, and intrigue. Whether you value it for its rich hue, meaningful connotation, or protective presence, peridot remains an extraordinary gem with a legend as intriguing as its gold-green glow. Honor August with birthstone bands, custom pendants, or birthstone pendants featuring this brilliant gem, and have its prosperous and healing presence with you wherever you go.

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