Peridot: Everything to Know About August’s Birthstone

Brought to Earth’s surface from space by meteorites and from deep within the earth by volcanoes, those born in August are incredibly lucky to have this unique gemstone as their birthstone. Peridot likely isn’t the first stone that comes to mind when thinking about jewelry. Instead, you probably think of diamonds, rubies, sapphires, or emeralds. But you definitely shouldn’t pass over this incredible stone. By owning peridot, you own a small piece of our vast, wonderous universe.

We’ve compiled a list of our 8 favorite facts about August’s birthstone for you to learn more about its rich history.

1. The element iron determines peridot’s exact color.^3,5

All peridot gemstones are yellow-green or brown-green in color. However, many variations on this gemstone’s shade exist. A peridot’s exact shade is determined by the amount of iron it contains.

2. This gemstone is an olivine mineral that’s comprised of 4 different elements.¹

Olivine minerals contain magnesium, iron, silicon and oxygen.

3. Volcanic activity and meteorites brought this gemstone to Earth’s surface.¹

Some peridot forms deep inside of the earth. Then, because of volcanic activity, it’s transported to the earth’s surface by lava.¹

This gemstone also originates from space. Meteorites that contain peridot travel through space, and occasionally these meteorites land on the earth’s surface.³

4. This gemstone is located around the world, including in Egypt, China, Hawaii, and Tanzania.¹

Peridot was first discovered in Egypt, before later being found in several other areas around the world.

The United States also mines this gemstone.¹ In fact, the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona is a significant producer of the stone, contributing to around 80 to 95 percent of the total amount of peridots sold around the globe.⁴

5. This stone scores a 6.5 to 7 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale.¹

While it’s safe to wear peridot jewelry, you should avoid hitting or scratching this gemstone against anything as it isn’t as durable as other gemstones. You should be extra careful with this gemstone to keep it in good condition.

6. You can easily clean your peridots at home using soapy water.

When cleaning this gemstone, it’s best to use warm, soapy water and a soft toothbrush. You shouldn’t clean these gemstones with an Ultrasonic cleaner or a steamer. Doing so can damage peridots because they’re extremely sensitive to sudden changes in temperature and high heat.

7. Peridots are traditionally given as a 16th wedding anniversary gift.¹

Looking for the perfect present for your 16th wedding anniversary? Peridot jewelry is a popular gift.

8. Peridot isn’t August’s only birthstone.

August actually has three birthstones! Spinel and sardonyx are the alternative birthstones for this month.

Spinel is a type of mineral that you can find in a variety of colors, including red, pink, blue, white, and black.² Spinel is actually harder than peridot, with a score of 8 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale.³

You can identify sardonyx by its red-brown color and stripes. These stripes are actually bands of sard and onyx, two different types of quartz.^1,2

Shopping for August’s Birthstone at Necker’s Jewelers

We have a large selection of peridot jewelry in our stores in DeWitt and Davenport, IA, and online on our website.

References

1. August Birthstones | Peridot & Spinel Birthstone Information | GIA

2. Sardonyx, Spinel & Peridot Are Birthstones for August (americangemsociety.org)

3. August Birthstones: Peridot and Spinel – International Gem Society

4. Peridot History | Find the Answer to “Where Are Peridots Found?” (americangemsociety.org)

5. Peridot Gemstone | August Birthstone Overview Information (americangemsociety.org)