August Birthstone
Peridot – The evening emerald
August’s birthstone, the peridot, has been mined for over 3,000 years. The earliest known peridot mine was on the island that is now known as St. John’s Island, about fifty miles outside Egypt. The mine on the island was considered sacred, and trespassers were not tolerated. It’s said that many of Cleopatra’s emeralds were, in actuality, peridots mined on that island. In fact, peridots are often mistaken for emeralds, though the difference is easily seen by a trained eye. The color of a peridot is lighter and less refractive – but in ancient times, nearly any green stone was called an emerald. Modern historians believe that the spectacles worn by the Emperor Nero to ease his eyes during gladiatorial games were not emerald, but peridot.
Throughout history, peridot has been honored and revered as one of the twelve gemstones that ornamented the breastplate of the High Priest of Judah on ceremonial occasions. Representing the tribe of Asher, the peridot was in the bottom row on the Breastplate of Aaron. Over time, the breastplate stones have become the foundation of birthstones, and each has their own traditions and lore associated with them.
In healing traditions, peridot is considered to be a tonic for the entire body rather than being associated with any particular system of the body. Medicines are often served by traditional healers in cups of peridot because it is believed that peridot can enhance the healing properties of medicines. Wearing a peridot is believed to promote peace of mind and calmness and to heal depression and mental illness. Ground peridot has been dissolved in water and drunk as a cure for asthma, and it is believed in some traditions that placing a peridot under the tongue would reduce thirst in a feverish person.
To the native Hawaiians, the peridot has a special meaning. The glistening green gems are called Pele’s tears and are often combed out of the volcanic basalt sands at the foot of the volcanic mountains. The pale green glimmer of peridot is difficult to see in daylight – but it takes on a soft glow under the light of the moon or lantern light. From Egypt to the South Seas, peridot has been mined at night – or at least found by lantern light, and dug up in the day. This gave rise to the belief that peridot disappears in daylight. It also earned the peridot the name of the Evening Emerald.
Even pirates respected the peridot. They wore it as a protection from evil spirits – but to be effective against evil spirits the peridot had to be strung on donkey hair and worn on the left wrist. Peridot was also said to ward against nightmares and evil spirits in the night if one slept with it beneath the pillow.
Peridot is a clear, transparent green stone, ranging in hue from the vibrant green of spring grass to the muddy deep hues of an olive. The more clear and vibrant the green, the more valued the stone is considered. Because of the particular refractive properties of peridot, the stone has a velvety appearance rather than the fiery sparkle of an emerald. The green is believed to be soothing, and peridots are a token of happiness and good wishes, often presented to brides and as birthday gifts.
Unlike other gems like sapphire and rubies that gain their color from impurities in their composition, the green of peridot is an intrinsic part of its nature. This makes it an idiochromatic stone – colored by itself. The green color arises from iron in the olivine, the actual name of the mineral. Peridot measures 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it a relatively soft stone that is easy to cut. Unlike emerald, which easily fractures and cracks under the stress of cutting, peridot can be easily cut to nearly any shape imaginable.
Because the stone is said to promote openness in relationships, warmth, friendliness and love, it is an ideal stone to be exchanged between friends to promote a long and healthy friendship. It is also the official gemstone of the first wedding anniversary, when love is still young – green and growing like a spring plant.
