20 Aug August Birthstone: Peridot

Peridot, a vivid green gem, is the birthstone for the month of August. It comes in several color variations ranging from yellow-green to brown, but the purer green a peridot is, the higher the value. A high-quality peridot is cut to maximize its color, not for its size.

The Peridot has a few unique stories surrounding it. In Hawaii, it was once believed that Peridots were the tears of the volcano goddess, Pele. Peridot is a gem that forms deep inside the Earth and is brought to the surface by volcanoes. The natives discovered these crystals in the black sands of the islands. In Egypt, Peridots were call the “gem of the sun” because of their dazzling brilliance when seen in the sunlight. It was believed that the crystals glowed even brighter at night time. Miners would scout for these gems during the evening, mark their location and then return during the day to retrieve them.

Peridots are a delicate gemstone. The best and safest way for you to clean your Peridot, is with warm, soapy water. Be sure that it does not come in contact with drastic temperature changes, which can damage the stone. Protect your stone from scratches and sharp blows and avoid any contact with chemicals. Never clean a Peridot in ultrasonic or steam cleaners, as these can damage the gemstone.