August’s birthstone is Peridot and comes from the Arabic word “faridat” which means gem. Peridot is regularly referred to as the evening emerald because when put under artificial light it has a green glow. Peridot is also given as the 16th anniversary gemstone.

Ancient Greek and Roman jewelry was heavy in peridot and has been admired all the way back to 1500 BC when the Egyptians began mining it. Egyptians referred to the stone as the “gem of the sun” and even supposed it had the ability to lower anxiety, enhance verbal communication, and help in the success of marriages.

The transparent colors in peridot come in a range of greens ranging from a light yellowish green to a deep olive color. The truer the green hue is of the peridot the most pricey it is going to be. If there is any slight color of brown in your peridot it greatly lowers the value as well as any obvious flaws.

You are able to find peridot crystals in the black sands of Hawaii where this specific gemstone is fairly abundant. You are able to find peridot here in large sizes. The Hawaiians think that peridot is the tears of Pele, their volcano goddess.

While peridot is most abundant in Hawaii you can also find it as far away as Burma, Norway, Brazil, Australia, the Congo, and even Arizona. Whereever it is found it is an amazing gem stone.

Peridot is said to have helped dreams become real and has been given the emblem of fame, strength, and energy. Peridot is found in Europe in medieval churches, heavily decorating treasures including the Cologne Cathedral.

It is known that Egyptian priests drank from cups made of peridot with the belief that it would draw them closer to Isis, the goddess of nature.

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