Peridot is August’s Birthstone

HISTORY:
Peridot is the official birthstone for the month of August.  It is derived from the Arabic word “faridat”, meaning gem.  Discovery of peridot is dated as far back as the early Egyptians.  More recent discoveries include a deposit found around 1900 in an island in the Red Sea and then not again until the mid-1990’s in Pakistan.  Among its accolades, peridot can count being a favorite among royals and clergy, used to adorn everything from a queen’s crown to a knight’s sword. Peridot jewels were among Cleopatra’s beloved treasures.

 
PERIDOT GEMSTONE PROPERTIES:
Peridot is a variety of the mineral, Olivine.  It only comes in one color, olive green.  The intensity and tint of the green, however, depends on how much iron is present. Peridot is found naturally in shades of light yellowish-green, green, olive-yellow, and sometimes brownish or brownish green. Unlike many other gemstones, peridot is usually not treated or enhanced in any way. Peridot ranks a 6.5-7 on Mohs’ hardness scale making it one of the softer every day gems. 

CARE INSTRUCTIONS:
To insure lifelong beauty in a peridot, simply clean it with warm water and mild detergent using a soft brush.  Peridot isn’t generally treated in any way, but exposure to extreme temperatures can cause peridot to crack or break.  Due to this, steam and ultrasonic cleaners should be avoided.