For The August Birthdays: Peridot

For The August Birthdays: Peridot For The August Birthdays: Peridot

For The August Birthdays: Peridot

Taking its name from the Arabic "faridat", meaning gem, Peridot is the birthstone for the month of August.

Yellowish green to greenish yellow in colour, and a variety of the mineral olivine, throughout history Peridot has often been confused with other gems such as topaz and emerald - with some historians even speculating that Cleopatra's famous emerald collection may actually have been comprised of Peridot.

Used for centuries as a protective talisman, shielding the owner from evil spirits and "terrors of the night", the August birthstone was valued in many ancient and medieval cultures and appeared in priests' jewellery as early as the second century BCE.

Where Is Peridot Found?

Although most of the Peridot found in jewellery today comes from sources including China, Pakistan, Tanzania, Vietnam and the USA, some peridot gems journied to Earth on meteorites, while others are found in exotic locations such as Peridot Beach in Hawaii, where the sands shimmer a luminous green.

With the oldest recorded source of Peridot being the Egyptian island of Zabargad (the name now given to Topazios) with mining there said to have begun around 340 - 279 BCE, the island produced highly desirable gems even in its harsh conditions.

Myanmar (previously Burma) is also an important source of Peridot. On the northern slope of Kyaukpon, a mountainous region near the gem city of Mogok, loose peridot crystals can sometimes be found in crevices, with the finest quality Peridot from this location being deep in colour with superby transparency.

Specifications

  • Mineral: Olivine
  • Chemistry: (MgFe)2SiO4
  • Colour: Yellowish green
  • Refractive Index: 1.65 to 1.69
  • Birefringence: 0.035 to 0.038
  • Specific gravity: 3.34
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 to 7

Also given as a gift for the 16th wedding anniversary, at W.Bruford, we hold in stock a stunning selection of Peridot jewellery perfect for those August birthdays. 

Shop Peridot, The August Birthstone, Online HERE

Information Taken From The GIA (Gemological Institute of America)

What to read next

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE TO READ

BACK TO NEWS HOME
Introducing the Bremont Terra Nova 38 in pink – a bold new addition to the Terra Nova collection.

Introducing the Bremont Terra Nova 38 in pink – a bold new addition to the Terra Nova collection.

Embodying an urban, sophisticated aesthetic, Bremont announces the launch of a Pink limited-edition 38...
Read more
Bracelet and Chain Alterations: Crafting a custom fit

Bracelet and Chain Alterations: Crafting a custom fit

Amongst the most popular pieces of jewellery are bracelets and chains, which are loved for versatility...
Read more
TAG Heuer: Time is a Gift

TAG Heuer: Time is a Gift

This holiday season, TAG Heuer's heroic drivers return to make dreams come true. Follow them into the ...
Read more
Watch Battery Replacements: Ensuring accuracy and durability

Watch Battery Replacements: Ensuring accuracy and durability

At Brufords, we offer a range of battery replacement options, but it's important to understand how to recognise when your watch battery needs replacing, what the process involves, and why you should have it changed professionally.
Read more

size guide

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed consequat ullamcorper erat id vestibulum. Curabitur malesuada ornare lectus et feugiat. Aenean eget nisi pharetra, iaculis mi vitae, convallis ipsum. Aenean tortor ligula, bibendum at mauris sit amet, vulputate pretium ante. Quisque finibus lacinia risus, eget sagittis eros sodales a. Nunc sed purus id orci congue elementum. Praesent elementum, velit a euismod sollicitudin, felis ante dictum mi, sed gravida metus neque id justo. Maecenas in dui facilisis, condimentum quam tincidunt, tempus diam. Donec lectus quam, lobortis sed malesuada sed, placerat sit amet eros. Nunc dictum massa quis est euismod, egestas eleifend odio aliquet. Phasellus at eleifend magna. Integer sed rhoncus augue. Fusce porta pretium augue sit amet gravida. Integer suscipit leo ut velit vulputate, sed hendrerit odio volutpat.