Precious Peridot: The August Birthstone

filigree cross, peridot, greek cross, august birthday, birthstone, greek filigreeAs one of the hottest months of the year, it seems only fitting that August should have a birthstone that shines brightly like the summer sun.  In fact, ancient Egyptians referred to the brilliant green birthstone as the “gem of the sun.”  This week, we’re showcasing the August birthstone – the peridot – in our blog.

Celebrating an August birthday or just love the glamour of peridots? We invite you to explore Gallery Byzantium’s peridot collection. See another piece you like that is not set with a peridot? Give us a call at 800-798-6173 or e-mail us at info@gallerybyzantium and we’d be happy to customize one of our pieces for you!


The Volcanic Emerald

Roman peridot ring. 1st century B.C.–2nd century A.D.. Via Met Museum Collection.

Today it is best-known as the August birthstone, but peridots have a long history of desirability, mysticism, and significance dating back to 1500 BC.

The word “peridot” is thought to have derived from either the Arabic “faridat,” meaning “gem” or the Greek “peridona,” meaning “giving plenty.”  It could very well be an amalgamation of the two as peridots traveled and were desired throughout the ancient world.  It is interesting to note that the green stone was often confused with other gemstones and mistakenly called “topaz” (perhaps stemming from its initial discovery on the island of Topazios).

Peridots are among the oldest known gemstones.  They first came from “deposits on a small volcanic island in the Red Sea called Topazios, now known as St. John’s Island or Zabargad” and were coveted by the ancient Egyptians who believed that the gemstone would protect the wearer. “Egyptian priests believed that it harnessed the power of nature, and used goblets encrusted with it to commune with their nature gods.”

Shrine of the Magi. Cologne Cathedral. Via koelner-dom.de.

While it did make for beautiful adornment, the gemstone was mainly valued as a sort of talisman.  In addition to offering its wearer protection, they were also thought to ward off jealous thoughts, diminish anxiety, and help to facilitate strong, lost-lasting relationships (both platonic and passionate). “These stones had already played a heavy role in Christianity and appear numerous times in the Bible under the name “chrysolite.” Aaron the Priest, brother of Moses, wore a peridot into battle.”

With its green glow, the peridot has been oft mistaken for the emerald.  In fact, Romans “called them the “evening emeralds” because of the way they caught and reflected lamplight.” For many centuries, the perdidots adorning the shrine of the Three Holy Kings at Cologne Cathedral (Germany) were believed to be emeralds.  Many historians believe that Cleopatra’s famed emerald collection was actually comprised of peridots.

Peridot measures 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale.  It is a durable stone to wear (unlike the delicate pearl) but it is susceptible to cracking while being cut and finished.   “Most of the world’s peridot supply comes from the San Carlos Reservation in Arizona. Other sources are China, Myanmar, Pakistan and Africa.”


Making a Peridot

Hawaiians treasured the brilliant stone, which washed up on island shores, and believed that they were the tears of Pele (the goddess of fire, lightning, volcanoes, and wind).  Interestingly, Pele does have a hand in the formation of these stones.  While most gemstones are formed in the Earth’s crust, only the peridot and diamond are formed in the mantle (the magmatic layer below the crust).  Peridots are pushed to the surface by volcanic activity – they may not be Pele’s tears, but firey Pele certainly does play an important role in the creation of peridots.  They are also (very rarely) found within meteorites.

The GIA has a wonderful video illustrating how peridots are created and pushed up to the Earth’s surface.  Cannot view the video below? Click here to view it on GIA’s website.


Sources:
Peridot Overview – https://www.americangemsociety.org/en/peridot-overview
Peridot History – https://www.americangemsociety.org/en/peridot-history
The Meaning and Symbolism of Peridot – http://www.jewelrynotes.com/peridot-gemstone-meaning-symbolism
Peridot History and Lore – https://www.gia.edu/peridot-history-lore
History of Peridot – https://www.gemselect.com/other-info/history-peridot.php
Pele – http://mythology.wikia.com/wiki/Pele
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