Peridot Earrings
The birthstone for August is the peridot. Derived from the Greek word “peridona,” peridot means “to give richness.” The gem is a vivid green with a hint of gold, and while it only comes in one color, it is available in many shades. The shade and intensity of green depends upon the amount of iron present in the crystal structure of the peridot. The deeper vivid green gems are generally considered more valuable and peridot cat’s eyes and star peridot are rare and precious.
Peridot is one of the few gemstones that occur in only one color: basically an olive green. The intensity and tint of the green however depends on how much iron is contained in the crystal structure, so the color of individual peridot gems can vary from yellow-green through olive green to brownish green. The most valuable is considered a dark-olive green color.
Some of the most magnificent peridots have been mined in Kashmir (border region between Pakistan and Afganistan), however periodots have also been found in Myanmar, China, the United States, Africa and Australia. This gem is found in ancient Egyptian jewelry and was used by the Romans who called it the “emerald of the evening.” The rich green radiance of the stone does not change even in artificial lighting. This vibrant gem, the peridot, is perfectly suited to the styles of summer.
