Peridot - the August Birthstone

Peridot - the August Birthstone

Peridot is a vibrant green gemstone famous for its distinctive green colour, ranging from olive to lime green. It is a gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine, which forms deep within the Earth's mantle and is brought to the surface through volcanic activity.

Most Peridot is found in basalt rocks and in lava that has crystallized on the Earth's surface. It can also be created synthetically through the use of the Verneuil method, a flame-fusion process.

Some Peridot crystals have been found in meteorites, making them one of the few gemstones of extraterrestrial origin.

 

Peridot as a Birthstone:

Peridot is the birthstone for August.

It is believed to symbolize strength and is associated with reducing stress, anger, and guilt.

Some cultures believe that peridot can enhance spirituality and bring about a positive transformation. In ancient times, peridot was considered a protective talisman against evil spirits.

 

Crushed Peridot vs. Cut Peridot:

When gem cutters work with Peridot, they often consider pleochroism to maximize the desirable green color. The goal is to cut the stone in a way that enhances the most attractive and intense green hue when viewed from the top.

This crystal typically shows two distinct colors: yellow-green or olive green when viewed along one axis and a more intense green when viewed along another axis.

However, it's important to note that the overall appearance of crushed Peridot will be different from that of a faceted or polished Peridot gemstone. The reflective properties and play of light that contribute to the gemstone's beauty may be altered when Peridot is in smaller, irregular shards.

 

Adding Peridot shards to your ring:

If you'd like to request adding raw crushed Peridot to your custom ring design, please click here to message me directly