PERIDOT GEMSTONE TRIVIA

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!

1. 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.

2. 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).

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. The largest peridot ever found weighs around 319 carats and was discovered on an Egyptian island in the Red Sea.

6. Peridot is often called the “gem of the sun” due to its vibrant green color, which resembles sunlight filtering through green leaves.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. The peridot gemstone commonly has imperfections named “lily pads“. These are disc shaped with tiny crystals in the center.

10. 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! :)