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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Not sure which stone belongs to your birthday — or a loved one's? Our free birthstone finder matches any birth date to its stone, flower and zodiac sign in seconds, and you can see how each stone wears in our birthstone necklaces collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is peridot durable enough to wear every day?
Peridot sits at 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes it fairly durable and suitable for everyday pieces like pendants and earrings. That said, it is softer than sapphire or diamond, so rings worn daily benefit from a protective bezel or halo setting to guard against knocks. Store it separately from harder stones and clean it gently with warm soapy water rather than harsh chemicals or ultrasonic cleaners.
What color of peridot is the most valuable?
Peridot only comes in shades of green, ranging from light yellow-green to deep olive-green. The darker, richer green stones are the most prized and command the highest prices. This vivid color comes from iron within the gem itself, which is unusual since most stones get their color from trace impurities.
Why does peridot glow at night?
Peridot is sometimes called the "evening emerald" because of how it behaves under artificial light. Where many green stones dull indoors, peridot keeps a warm gold-green radiance after dark, so it stays luminous in candlelight or lamplight. That lively glow is part of what makes it such a striking choice for eveningwear.
Is peridot the same as emerald?
No. Emeralds belong to the beryl mineral family, while peridot forms in olivine, a completely different mineral group. Emeralds lean toward a deeper blue-green, whereas peridot shows a lighter, warmer yellow-green. They are often confused because of their green tones, but they are distinct gems with different origins and character.
Who should wear peridot?
Peridot is the traditional birthstone for August, making it a meaningful gift for anyone born that month. It is also closely linked to the zodiac signs Leo and Virgo, and is said to heighten confidence, creativity, and clarity of mind. Beyond birthdays, many wear it for its long-standing associations with protection, prosperity, and personal renewal.
