“Wear a Peridot or for thee,

No conjugal fidelity,

The August born without this stone,

‘Tis said must live unloved, alone”

It may surprise you to learn that August has three birthstones: sardonyx, spinel, and peridot. Sardonyx is the original August birthstone with peridot and spinel added later. Spinel didn’t become an August birthstone until 2016! Yet, perhaps because of its vivid and distinct green color or because it is so rare to find on the Earth’s surface, or simply because it maintains its color so well, peridot has become August’s primary gemstone.

How to buy Peridot

If you’re looking for August birthstone jewelry and have decided on the peridot, or simply love its beautiful lime-green hue, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. The finest peridots have no inclusions visible to the naked eye (although you might see some dark spots if viewed through a microscope).
2. The highest-quality peridots are a lime-green color without any traces of brown or yellow.
3. Smaller peridot sizes are relatively affordable, but larger stones get expensive.
4. Peridot has a very high double refraction (refraction is the bending of light as it passes in or out of a gem; the higher the refraction index, the higher the stone’s brilliance), so a good way to check if it is real is to hold it against a light. If there is no double refraction, it is most likely fake.
5. Peridots look best with yellow or rose gold metals rather than white metals like white gold.

9 fun facts about peridot. See if you already know some of them!

1. Peridots typically come in a lime green color, but the highest quality peridot is a sparkling lime green color without any brownish or olive cast.
2. Peridots are one of the few gemstones that occur in only one color.
3. The word peridot is derived from the Greek word ‘faridat’, which means ‘gem’.
4. The peridot has been the official birthstone for August since 1912.
5. Peridots are found in Myanmar, China and the US and even in some meteorites!
6. Peridots have been popular in Egypt for centuries, used in jewelry there since ancient Egypt, and is even its national gem!
7. The depth of the green in peridots depends on how much iron they have in their crystal structure.
8. Sometimes peridots are mistaken for emeralds, giving them the name ‘the poor man’s emerald’.
9. Peridots are one of two gems formed in the earth’s mantle rather than its crust (the other one, of course, is the diamond).

Jewelry made with peridot

Today, peridot is a popular gemstone used in all types of jewelry. Peridot set next to diamonds in a halo or pave setting look beautiful as do pear-shaped peridot earrings, peridot stud earrings, and if you dare to be original and different for your engagement ring, peridot princess-cut engagement rings are absolutely stunning.

Baguette peridot gemstone flanked by two white diamond engagement ring set in yellow gold.

Peridot baguette ring set in yellow gold

Peridot and Blue Topaz Bracelet

Flower bracelet set with birthstones including August’s peridot in the center.

Ready to create your own beautiful peridot jewelry?

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