Birthstones: August - Peridot

The month of August claims Peridot as its birthstone.  Peridot is the name for gem quality Olivine, and it is a beautiful bottle green colour.  Olivine is quite a common mineral, which has been found over most of the world, and even in meteorites!

Known as the “evening emerald” Peridot is supposed to be at its most beautiful at night.

It is associated with peacefulness and happiness, and is said to calm the wearer.  It is also attributed as having the best healing properties of any gem I’ve come across, said to help with everything from asthma to quenching thirst!

In history the name for Peridot has changed a few times; it got mistaken for emeralds, referred to as “topaz” and “chrysolite”, so pinning down where it appears in old tales can be tricky!  It is thought that it may be one of the twelve stones in the Breastplate of Aaron, in Christian lore.

Peridot is said to be at its best and most powerful when set in gold; so why not try it out with some gold beads or wire? :)