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Kashmir Peridot: birthstone of August!
Gemstone Education
Diamondsbyme
February 10, 2023
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It's August! And that means: a new birthstone! August's birthstone of the month is peridot! We can already hear you thinking, peridot what! Peridot, also known as chrysolite and olivine, is a beautiful lime-green gemstone with a turbulent history and (seemingly) extensive healing powers! You can read all about it in this blog!
Peridot is one of the few gemstones that only comes in one color: GREEN! This green color does vary from yellowish to brownish. The green color is created by fine traces of iron. The intensity of the green color depends on the amount of iron present. The more, the better! Because of its green color, the peridot is often confused with the emerald. Probably because of this mistake, many royal jewels will also be set with peridots.
The names periodot and chrysolite are both derived from the ancient Greek language: 'peridona' means 'to radiate wealth' and chrysolite is a translation for 'golden stone'. The gemstone is also known as olivine because the stone derives from the mineral olivine.
Then a piece(s) of history... Peridot has been found in ancient Egyptian jewelry (from 2000 BC). The stone used at the time came from a small volcanic island in the Red Sea. This source was only rediscovered in 1900 and has been exhausted for some time now. It is claimed that peridot, also called the 'stone of the sun' in Egypt, was Cleopatra's favorite stone.
Ancient Romans were also fans of this striking green gemstone. The fact that peridot's green glow doesn't even change in artificial light makes the stone extra special. For this reason, and because the peridot has a similar green color to the emerald, the Romans nicknamed the peridot the 'emerald of the evening'.
Over the years, the popularity of the peridot has had its ups & downs. During the Baroque period, the green gemstone's popularity peaked, but then it disappeared back into oblivion. This until the 1990s, when an unknowable source of the most beautiful peridot was found in the Kashmir region of Pakistan. In the inhospitable region, at an altitude of 4,000 meters, climatic conditions were so poor that the gems could only be mined during the summer months. The stones were unusually large and of spectacular quality. Peridot became the sensation of all gem exchanges: the peridot business was booming again!
The Kashmir region is the most famous and popular peridot region, where the most beautiful stones come from. But peridot is also found in Myanmar, China, the United States and Australia.
This green stunner also has healing properties! In fact, there are several things the peridot is said to stand for and be good for. For instance, peridot is believed to help with acknowledging your own faults, guilt, conscience problems, obsessions and pent-up emotions. Furthermore, this green gemstone is said to have an activating effect, repel depression and stimulate the metabolism and liver. In addition, peridot is said to represent power, growth, influence, fame, love, truth, loyalty, honesty, dignity and protection. A final finding is that peridot is said to bring happiness to a marriage.
As has now become clear, peridot has a long but rich history. One thing is for sure: we are FAN of this fresh, striking green stone! Incorporated into a beautiful piece of jewelry, peridot can add a special summer touch to any outfit! Furthermore, of course we do not know if peridot also has healing properties or helps with any of the things listed, but not shot is always wrong! And being happily married, who doesn't want that? Check out our wedding rings with peridot, and the first step towards a happy marriage has already been made. On our website, you can have peridot set in almost any ring. Create your own unique peridot ring on DiamondsByMe now.
