PERIDOT

Found in lava, meteorites, and deep in the earth’s mantle, yellow-green Peridot is the extreme gem.

The ancient Egyptians mined peridot on the Red Sea island of Zabargad, the source for many large fine peridots in the world’s museums.

The Egyptians called it the “Gem of the Sun.”

The Shrine of the Three Holy Kings in Germany’s Cologne Cathedral is decorated with 200 carats of gems that were believed to be emeralds but are, in fact, the August birthstone peridot. Some historians even speculate that Cleopatra’s famous emerald collection may have been comprised of peridot.
 
The Peridot was valued in many ancient and medieval cultures. It appeared in priests’ jewellery as early as the second century BCE and later in the chalices and churches of medieval Europe. The Peridot has also been used for centuries as a protective talisman, shielding the owner from evil spirits and “terrors of the night.”

Today this gem is still prized for its restful yellowish green hues and long history. Large strongly-coloured, examples can be spectacular, and attractive smaller gems are available for jewellery at all price points.

The colour range for peridot is narrow, from a brown-green colour to yellowish green to pure green. Yellowish green is the most common peridot colour seen in jewellery.

Peridot is the Birthstone for August.