The August birthstone is peridot, a bright green gem with a history that stretches back to ancient Egypt and, now and then, to outer space. Its fresh colour makes it a cheerful choice for an August birthday, a 16th anniversary, or anyone who loves green. In this guide from Wanderlust Jewelry we look at what peridot is, where it comes from, what people have believed about it, and how to care for it.
August birthstone: peridot at a glance
- What it is: the gem variety of the mineral olivine.
- Colour: always green, from brownish green through yellowish green to pure green; its colour comes from iron, part of its chemistry.
- Hardness: 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale.
- Anniversary: the gem given for the 16th wedding anniversary.
August has more than one birthstone: GIA lists peridot, spinel and sardonyx. This guide focuses on peridot.
A gem from deep inside the earth, and beyond
Peridot forms deep in the earth's mantle. According to the International Gem Society, peridotite, a rock made mostly of olivine and pyroxene, makes up most of the upper mantle. Peridot reaches the surface carried up in lava, or where rocks from the mantle are pushed up during seafloor spreading.
More unusually, peridot has also come to earth inside pallasite meteorites, made of nickel-iron and olivine. Facetable peridot from meteorites is extremely uncommon, but it gives this birthstone a story few gems can match.
The history of peridot
The oldest recorded source of peridot is the Egyptian island of Zabargad in the Red Sea, also known as St John's Island, where GIA notes mining may have begun around 340 to 279 BCE. The ancient Egyptians called peridot the gem of the sun.
For centuries peridot was confused with emerald. GIA notes that the gems on the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in Cologne Cathedral were long thought to be emeralds but are in fact peridots, and that Cleopatra's famous emerald collection might actually have been peridot.
Where peridot is found today
Most peridot used in jewellery comes from China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tanzania, Vietnam and the United States, where Arizona is the main source. The International Gem Society notes that Myanmar is the world's only major source of very large peridots, while Arizona produces mostly small stones.
Peridot meaning and beliefs
Peridot has long been linked with light and the sun. Its folklore includes:
- It was used as a protective talisman, shielding the owner from evil spirits and terrors of the night, especially when set in gold.
- As the Egyptians' gem of the sun, it has long been linked with light, and many people wear it as a sunny reminder of summer.
These are traditional beliefs, not proven effects, and are no substitute for medical advice.
Wearing and caring for peridot
Peridot has fair to good toughness but cannot take hard wear. GIA does not recommend it for a ring worn every day, so it is ideal in earrings and pendants, and in rings with a protective setting worn with some care.
- Clean with a soft brush, mild dish soap and warm water.
- Never use steam or ultrasonic cleaners: peridot is vulnerable to thermal shock.
- Keep it away from acids and sudden heat.
- Store it apart from harder gems such as diamond, which can scratch it.
- Take peridot off for sport and heavy work.
For more tips, see our jewellery care guide.
Choosing peridot jewellery
Peridot's lime-to-grass green is bright and summery against sterling silver and warm in yellow gold. Since GIA describes the preferred colour as a pure grass green without any hint of yellow or brown, that is the shade to look for if colour matters most to you, but many people love the lighter yellowish greens too.
A few things that help when shopping with Wanderlust Jewelry South Africa:
- Use the printable ring sizer on our size guide. Rings over R2,000 include a free first resize within 30 days.
- Words and symbols are priced in the engraving box as you type.
- Schedule a video call with one of our consultants to see the exact piece before you buy (WhatsApp 068 613 6350).
Shop the August birthstone
Our founders hand-pick pieces from artisans in India, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia and Hong Kong, along with pieces made in South Africa. Browse our August birthstone collection, or explore more gemstone jewellery.