Birthstone: Peridot is one of the three gemstones for August and is the zodiac stone for Virgo.
Meaning: This gemstone is known as the stone of compassion, peridot is believed to bring good health, restful sleep and peace.
What is Peridot?
Peridot is one of the most visually striking gemstones, with its mix of bright greens and glowing golden tones. Peridot is idiochromatic, which means its colour comes from the chemical composition of the gemstone. This gem is also one of the oldest known gemstones and has been mined as a gemstone for over 4,000 years.
Where does Peridot come from?
Peridot can be found in mafic and ultramafic rocks occurring in lava and peridotite xenoliths of the mantle. The gem occurs in silica-deficient rocks such as volcanic basalt and pallasitic meteorites. Peridot is one of only two gems observed to be formed not in Earth's crust, but in the molten rock of the upper mantle. Today, peridot is found around the globe, with deposits of the gemstone found in China, Pakistan, Tanzania and the United States. Peridot Beach, in Hawaii, is known for the shimmering green glow on white sand caused by ancient lava flows which deposited the gemstone sand after volcanic eruptions
What is the meaning of Peridot?
Known as the stone of compassion, peridot is believed to bring good health, restful sleep and peace to relationships by balancing emotions and mind. In the Middle Ages it was believed to be the stone of St. John and was thought to ward off evil spirits. It was also used to protect against sadness and keep away nightmares, ultimately Peridot is believed to have positive healing properties.
How to care for Peridot?
Peridots have a rating of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This means that they are fairly durable, however, they must be treated with care. Peridot is stable to light but is easily attacked by sulfuric acid, and less easily by hydrochloric acid. It can also be attacked over a long period of time by acid perspiration. Warm, soapy water is the best method for cleaning peridot. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are not recommended as they can damage this gemstone. Peridots are also susceptible to scratches from other harsh jewels, to avoid this wrap your peridot in a soft cloth and place it separately in a velvet lined jewellery box to protect it. Keep your Peridot jewellery in a cool and dry place to avoid exposure to heat and light.
