Late Summer Prosperity and Peace
August is often seen as the unofficial end of summer. Although summer officially lasts until the autumnal equinox on September 22, the return of school at the end of August gives the impression that the season is over. In the northern hemisphere, August is also harvest time, and the vibrant green glow of peridot makes it the perfect birthstone for the month, as it traditionally represents prosperity and good fortune.
The ancient Egyptians called peridot the "Gem of the Sun" because its radiant hue seemed to capture sunlight within the stone. Early civilizations, including the Egyptians, wore peridot for protection, believing it warded off nightmares and evil spirits.
Peridot is unique among gemstones because it occurs only in one color: green. The shade ranges from bright lime to olive, depending on the location it’s mined. Most modern peridots come from the San Carlos Reservation in Arizona, as well as Africa, Pakistan, China, and Myanmar.
Formed deep within the Earth's mantle, peridot is brought to the surface through volcanic activity. It can also be found in meteorites. With a rating of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, peridot has fair to good durability and is suitable for jewelry. Clean it with warm, soapy water and a cloth; avoid ultrasonic or steam cleaners, which can cause cracks. Stay away from cleaners containing sulfuric acid, and don’t wear peridot in pools, as chlorine can cause damage. Be mindful of extreme temperature changes as well.
To verify if your peridot is authentic, examine it in the light. The stone should exhibit double refraction, meaning light will pass through and split into two rays. Since peridots only come in green, if it appears brown or yellow in the light, it's likely glass or a different stone. At Nugent Jewelry, you can trust you're getting genuine, natural stones. We send all stones to a third-party testing and certification lab for verification.
Wearing peridot jewelry is believed to improve mood, relationships, and overall well-being. Peridots are said to calm egos, relieve guilt, and encourage personal responsibility. They are associated with both the heart and solar plexus chakras, helping to clear emotional blocks. These gems are particularly suited for Leo, Virgo, Scorpio, and Gemini zodiac signs and are the traditional gemstone for 16th wedding anniversaries.
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