Peridot

Though some birthstone lists include both Sardonyx and peridot as the August birthstone, the most widely accepted August birthstone is peridot. The birthstone peridot set in any style of peridot jewelry is always an excellent gift choice for anyone born in the month of August.

Truthfully, peridot jewellery is an excellent gift for anyone, anytime. Traditionally, peridot is said to be a very powerful gemstone. It is believed that peridot has magical powers to heal and protect against nightmares. Peridot is also said to bring the bearer power and influence. Peridot is thought to bring a year of luck to its owner, and so is a good choice for a gift at the dawning of a New Year, either by the modern calendar or in conjunction with a cultural New Year.

Peridot harvesting has some unique beginnings. Peridot is buried deep inside the Earth, and is often only brought to the surface by volcanoes. In ancient Hawaiian culture, Peridot symbolizes the tears of the goddess of fire and volcanoes, Pele (more peridot information as it relates culturally can be found online). The modern source for peridot is the U.S. state of Arizona. The gem is also found in China, Pakistan, and Myanmar.

Peridot exists naturally in a range of colors from yellow-green to brown. The most popular colors of peridot, and those most often favored for peridot pendants, peridot rings, and other peridot jewelry are olive greens and bright, lime greens. Small peridot beads are regularly used in jewelry making to craft beaded peridot jewelry such as a beaded peridot pendant, necklace, or bracelet.

Small peridot beads create colorful beaded jewelry, but the most striking color is seen in larger peridot stones; a 5 carat peridot is truly a sight to behold. As with any precious gem, however, the value (and cost) of peridot increases with sizable quality gems. Either choice – small beaded piece or large stone – make very nice jewelry settings. For admirers of peridot and those August born, collections are most well built with inclusions of both large and small peridot jewelry.

In jewelry settings, peridot mixes nicely with other gemstones and organic gems. A solitaire peridot ring is a thing of beauty, but a peridot amethyst ring is even more beautiful. The rich purples offset the lighter green stone very nicely in amethyst and peridot pieces. Peridot and pearl necklaces are also very nice, as is platinum peridot jewelry. Tanzanite jewelry combined with peridot offers yet another option. The result of combination pieces is striking mixes of color that coordinate well with a variety of fashions and apparel.

People seek to own peridot pieces for many reasons. Some seek the protective powers peridot is said to have, some value the stone indicative of the month of their birth, and others simply like the look of pretty peridot jewelry. Whatever the motivation, peridot is a colorful jewel, the product of ancient fires - a gem worth more than a passing glance.