With its name taken from the Arabic word "faridat" - which means 'gem' - Peridot is the birthstone for the month of August.

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

For centuries Peridot has been used as a protective talisman, said to shield the wearer from evil spirits and "terrors of the night". Valued in many ancient and medieval cultures, Peridot is said to have appeared in priest's jewellery as early as the second century BCE.

Although most...