I am slightly biased when it comes to August's birthstone, the Peridot, as I celebrate my birthday at the end of this month, while one of our managers, Pam celebrates right at the beginning!
It is not often that the Peridot is talked about and is not as commonly warn as the ruby or pearl per say, but it is one the most unique birthstone’s in colour. Said to be the tears of Pele, the fire goddess of volcanoes, the Peridot is formed from the gem-quality variety of the mineral, olivine-hence the olive green colour of the gem. Shades may vary from a lighter, more lime-like green to a brownish-olive green; however, unlike many other gemstones, there is only one true colour of Peridot.
The signature olive-green colour stems from the composition of the mineral and not from trace impurities in their crystal element, like Spinel and Sapphire, which makes them allochromatic. The Peridot is an idiochromatic gemstone meaning ‘self-coloured’. They absorb wavelengths of light based on their chemical balance. Containing iron, the colour of the Peridot is rare and comprises of unique chemical elements; however, that being said, though the gemstone as a whole is not necessarily rare as it is found in many different areas of the world.
9CT white gold peridot & diamond cluster ring
Code: 6049782
£69.00
Peridot’s are typically embedded deep into the earth’s soil, making them an effort to dig up, but because they are typically found in igneous rocks in areas where a volcano has recently erupted. The olive green gem stone is a symbol of Hawaii, but it is commonly found in the San Carlos reservation in Arizona and in countries like Pakistan and Kenya.
There is an extraterrestrial element to Peridot's as well making this gemstone even more unique. The goddess Pele was said to have created the islands in Hawaii and controlled the flow of lava, but in addition to being formed in the earth, like in volcanic ash, Peridot’s are the only gemstone found outside of our solar system. Pallasites are stony-iron meteorites and they contain olivine crystals which can be cut into gems and faceted, a top collectors’ item for extraterrestrial collectors.
Like many gemstones, there are a lot of ideas behind the meaning and symbolism of this idiochromatic gemstone. It is said that Napolean gifted his wife Josephine a Peridot to symbolise his love for her. The Romans called the Peridot the ‘evening Emerald’, claiming that the colourful hues of the stone didn’t darken as night fell, like did with the Emerald, but rather that they continued to shimmer under moonlight.
This history definitely makes Peridot one of the most underrated and interesting gemstones of all the birth months.
Shop all Peridot jewellery on William May.
