WHAT IS PERIDOT?
New beginnings & health
Peridot is a green gemstone with a golden undertone. Peridot's name is French, but comes from the Arabic "faridat", which means precious stone. The gemstone has always been associated with the sun and is most often formed by volcanic activity.
AUGUST'S BIRTHSTONE
Peridot is August's birthstone and is also the birthstones for the zodiacs Leo & Virgo. Each month has its own unique gemstone to represent it. Carrying your birthstone is said to bring good luck. You can carry your birthstone as a good luck amulet, or your loved ones’ birthstone as a symbol of love.
SYMBOLISM
Peridot is the gemstone of new beginnings, health, intuition and well-being. Peridot is therefore a great gemstone for someone starting a new chapter.
Peridot is a good "detox" gemstone, in the sense that it is said to contain calming and relaxing energies that allow you to let go of negative emotions such as jealousy and contempt. Peridot is also an appropriate gemstone for healing, development and change.
SPIRITUALITY
Peridot is also known as the gemstone of compassion and is said to bring good health, restful sleep and peace to relationships by balancing the emotions and mind. Peridot is connected to the heart chakra and is said to open your heart to love, and clear out hurt feelings, anxiety and jealousy, while it is said to help work on admitting mistakes and forgiving yourself and others in order to move forward healthy in life.
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR PERIDOT JEWELLERY
The peridot is a relatively hard to medium hard gemstone, measuring 6.5-7 on Mohs’ Hardness Scale, and is a durable gemstone for jewellery. Avoid rapid or uneven heat on the gemstone as well as acid as this may cause the gemstone to fracture. Wash your peridot jewellery in warm water with a mild soap, and carefully brush with a soft brush.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Extraction of the peridot can be traced all the way back to the year 1500 BC. To the ancient Egyptians, peridot was known as the "gemstone of the sun" and was often used as pearls. Allegedly, the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra was also said to have held this gemstone particularly dear. Large quantities of peridot were brought to Europe during the Crusades and can therefore be found in numerous religious objects, while jewellery set with peridot became particularly popular in the late 19th century.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY GIFT
Many gemstones are associated with a special anniversary. Jewellery with peridot is given as a gift on the 16th wedding anniversary, which is also called a Moon Wedding. Peridot's symbolism and story of compassion and peace in relationships make a piece of jewelry set with Peridot an extra thoughtful gift for your wedding day.
GEMMOLOGY OF PERIDOT
Peridot is formed from the mineral olivine, which often occurs as a result of volcanic activity. It is mined mainly in Vietnam, China, USA, at Zabargard in Egypt, Myanmar, Pakistan and Finland. Peridot's color varies from light golden green to dark green. Its color is determined by the temperatures and elements that affect the gemstone when it is formed underground. When measuring the hardness of a gemstone, you use the Mohs Hardness Scale. The scale varies from 1-10, where 10 is the hardest - here lies the diamond, which is the hardest gemstone. Peridot is 6.5-7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale.
SHOP PERIDOT
SAPPHIRE
Wisdom, love & loyalty
OPAL
Creativity, love & freedom
BLUE TOPAZ
Love & communication
AMETHYST
Courage, meditation & spirituality