Peridot

August Birthstone poem - the Peridot

"Wear a Peridot or for thee,

No conjugal fidelity,

The August born without this stone,

`Tis said, must live unloved alone."

For those who were born in the month of August the Peridot is the traditional birthstone. The August birthstone poem reflects some of the properties with which the Peridot is associated - love, truth, faithfulness and loyalty.   Peridot is also the gem recommended for the 16th wedding anniversary.

The name of the gem may have been originated from various words of various languages. No one knows the actual origin of the name. Some say it’s from the Arabic word “faridat” which also means gem and some say that it is from the 13th century English word “Peridote”. The truth is that today it is known as Peridot. There was a time in history when this brilliant stone was even called a topaz. This was because it was then abundant on an island called the Topazios. 

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In Arizona, peridot is pronounced as “pear-a-dot” while in many places it is pronounced as “pear-a-doe”. Both pronounciations are considered correct.

The Peridot is one of the few gemstones which come in one color only. The rich, green color with the slight tinge of gold is caused by very fine traces of iron. From a chemical point of view, Peridot is an iron magnesium silicate. The intensity of the color depends on the amount of iron actually present. The color itself can vary over all shades of yellowish green and olive, and even to a brownish green. Peridot is not particularly hard - only 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale - but it is easy to look after and fairly robust. Peridot cat's eyes and star Peridot are particularly rare and precious.

Peridot is the gem variety of olivine and ranges between 6.5 and 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness.

These gemstones are found in volcanic basalts. They are formed deep within the earth under tremendous heat and pressure. Olivine has a very high melting point, this explains why it's mainly found in places where pressure and heat are abundant such as volcanic rock and the mantle of the earth. In these deep and hot places, the stone we know as the peridot is slowly formed.   

The most beautiful stones come from the border area between Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, the Peridot as a gemstone also exists in Myanmar, China, the USA, Africa and Australia. Stones from East Burma, now known as Myanmar, have vivid light green and fine inclusions with a silky shine to them. Peridot from Arizona, where it is popularly used in Native American jewelry, often has somewhat yellowish or gold-brown nuances.

The largest cut Peridot Olivine is a 310 carat (62 g) specimen in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C.

The meaning and symbology of Peridot is one of friendliness, purity and simplicity.  It is an excellent stone for protection, especially if worn around the neck to protect from negative energy.  It is also perfect for cleansing of negative emotions, such as jealousy or a wounded ego.  Wearing Peridot gemstones can help you stay cleansed and protected, and also helps you reach a higher level of insight and consciousness.

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Peridot was one of the stones worn in the breastplate of the High Priest Aaron, one of the 12 stones that protected him from battle.  It has been used traditionally in the ancient Incan civilization to give clear-mindedness.  Native Hawaiians have a legend that Peridot is the tears of their goddess, Pele. Napoleon gave a Peridot ring to Josephine as a testament to his undying love.  Ancient Greeks called Peridot "evening emerald" because its color became a deeper green at night.  Peridot was sacred in ancient Egypt: High priests made cups out of large specimens of Peridot from which they drank their ceremonial "soma."  The Peridot was said to bring wisdom and enlightenment.

 

Peridot has been used traditionally to heal the heart, spleen, lungs and digestion tract.  It has been successful in healing and relieving pain from stomach ulcers.  During birth it is also helpful in stimulating contractions. Peridot is useful in regulating all physical cycles.