PERIDOT GEMSTONE TRIVIA
FUN HISTORY, TRIVIA, AND INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE GEM PERIDOT!
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. Thanks! As an Amazon Associate I also earn from qualifying purchases.

Now that it’s August…
How about some fun with the birthstone of the month:
PERIDOT!
Let’s dive into some fun facts, history, and trivia about the green gem, and all those August birthdays.
Enjoy!
- Peridot is one of the few gemstones that occurs in only one color, which is a vibrant green. The intensity of the green can vary from yellowish-green to olive green.
- Peridot is formed deep within the Earth’s mantle and is brought to the surface during volcanic eruptions. It is commonly found in lava flows and in meteorites (peridot from space).
- One of the most famous peridot gemstones is a 192.75 carat stone known as the “Evening Star,” which is on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
- Peridot has a long history and was highly regarded by ancient civilizations. It is often associated with the sun and was believed to possess healing properties, protecting against nightmares and evil spirits.
- The largest peridot ever found weighs around 319 carats and was discovered on an Egyptian island in the Red Sea.
- Peridot is often called the “gem of the sun” due to its vibrant green color, which resembles sunlight filtering through green leaves.
- The island of Hawaii is known for its peridot beaches. The sand found on these beaches contains small grains of peridot, giving the sand a distinctive green color.
- Peridot is the official birthstone for the month of August and is sometimes given as a gift to celebrate a 16th wedding anniversary. But, there are two other gems associated with August as well: spinel and sardonyx.
- The peridot gemstone commonly has imperfections named “lily pads“. These are disc shaped with tiny crystals in the center.
- Peridot is a relatively soft gemstone, with a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. This makes it more susceptible to scratches and chipping compared to harder gemstones like diamonds or sapphires.
I hope you found these trivia facts about peridot interesting! I love the stone, and wonder if you do too. Let me know in the comments below.
Check out all the fun and colorful peridot jewelry here on Amazon!
Cheers! :)