Peridot: A Complete Guide to the August Birthstone

Peridot, with its fresh olive-green glow, is the official birthstone for August. This bright and cheerful gemstone has a long and fascinating history.

The ancient Egyptians called peridot the “gem of the sun”, believing it captured the sun’s warmth and offered protection from evil and the darkness of night. The Romans also admired its glow, referring to it as the “evening gem” because they thought it sparkled even under the moonlight.

Today, peridot’s lively green shade is often linked with strength, renewal, and happiness. Its uplifting colour brings a sense of light and positivity to any outfit.

If you’re celebrating an August birthday, or simply love the vibrant charm of green gemstones, peridot jewellery makes a thoughtful and radiant choice.

A Brief History of the Peridot Birthstone

In ancient Egypt, peridot was mined and treasured as a protective talisman. Some historians believe that Cleopatra’s famed emerald collection might actually have been peridot (its similar green hue fooled many). In medieval Europe this confusion persisted. For example, the 200-carat green stones in Germany’s Cologne Cathedral were once thought to be emeralds, but are actually peridot.

Interest in peridot resurged in the 1990s when rich deposits were discovered in Pakistan, yielding some of the finest large peridots ever found. Today, most peridot comes from Arizona (San Carlos Apache Reservation) with about 80–95% of the world’s supply. Because of this the August birthstone is a relatively affordable gift for a loved one.

Physical and Gemological Properties

• Colour and Composition: Peridot is a gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine. It is one of the few gemstones found only in shades of green, ranging from yellowish-green to olive-green.
• Hardness: Peridot has a hardness of 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale, meaning it can scratch glass (hardness 5.5) and is harder than many minerals, but it is softer and less durable than sapphire or ruby.
• Formation: Most peridot forms deep in the Earth’s mantle and reaches the surface in volcanic lava flows. Rarely, gem-quality peridot crystals have also been discovered in pallasite meteorites. This extraterrestrial occurrence has led some to refer to peridot informally as a “space gem.”
• Clarity: Fine peridots are usually transparent with good lustre. High-quality stones are often eye-clean, though many peridots contain tiny inclusions (“lily pads”) without affecting their sparkle.

Peridot looks beautiful set in yellow, white, or rose gold, and is often paired with diamonds or other accent gems for added brilliance. Unlike very soft gems such as opal, peridot has enough hardness for moderate regular wear, though it is still softer than many gemstones and should be protected from hard knocks.

At Aleks Jewellers in Norwich our range of peridot jewellery includes rings, necklaces and earrings that show off this vibrant green. We have everything from elegant peridot necklaces to charming peridot rings, so customers can find an affordable, natural peridot gemstone piece to suit their style.

Its fresh colour even makes peridot a bold choice for an engagement ring. We’ve seen a recent trend of more couples asking for peridot engagement rings. They add a splash of green to a proposal.

Caring for Your Peridot Jewellery

Peridot is lovely to wear, but it does require gentle care to stay its best:

• Cleaning: Clean your peridot jewellery with a soft brush or cloth in warm, soapy water. A mild dish soap and a soft bristle toothbrush work well. Rinse thoroughly and dry gently. Avoid any rough or abrasive cleaning agents. Never clean peridot with steam or ultrasonic cleaners as the gem is vulnerable to thermal shock.
• Storage: Store peridot pieces separately from other gemstones. Since peridot can scratch or be scratched by harder stones, keep it in a soft pouch or fabric-lined box. This prevents accidental nicks and preserves its polish.
• Inspection: Peridot’s hardness (6.5–7) means it’s softer than stones like sapphire or diamond, so it can be damaged by sharp knocks or heat. We advise you bring your jewellery in to be inspecked once every 6 months to check the setting is secure for your beautiful gemstone.

With simple care, a quality peridot piece from Aleks Jewellers will retain its bright green glow for years.

August Birthstone Gift Ideas

Looking for a special gift for an August birthday, anniversary, or engagement? Here are a couple of our favourites from Aleks Jewellers:

• Oval Peridot and Diamond Ring 9ct White Gold – An elegant 9ct white gold ring set with an 11×9mm oval peridot and sparkling diamond accents. The classic design can be worn alone or stacked with other rings for a bespoke look.
• 9ct Yellow Gold Diamond and Peridot Pear Shaped Ring – A charming vintage-inspired piece in warm yellow gold. It features a 9×7mm pear-shaped peridot at its centre, surrounded by a halo of round diamonds. The contrast of the rich gold and bright green gives it a unique, antique feel. This ring would delight anyone looking for a bit of old-world glamour.

Peridot isn’t just for birthdays, it’s also the traditional gemstone for the 16th wedding anniversary. A peridot necklace, earrings or ring can be a wonderful peridot anniversary gift (especially in August!), symbolising joy and renewal for the years ahead. For more peridot gift ideas, browse our full peridot jewellery collection in-store at Aleks Jewellers in Norwich.For inspiration on other birthstones, see our guides to Pearl and Ruby. At Aleks Jewellers, we’re passionate about helping you celebrate life’s moments with beautiful gemstones.