Peridot

Peridot is the birthstone for August.  Peridot is the gem variety of the mineral olivine. Its chemical composition includes iron which is the cause of its attractive yellowish green colors. The gem often occurs in volcanic rocks called basalts, rarely, peridot can have an extraterrestrial source, being contained in meteorites. 

Egyptians called it the “gem of the sun.” Large strongly-colored, examples can be spectacular, and attractive smaller gems are available for jewelry at all price points, it can be beautiful both cabbed and faceted. 

Peridot is often confused with emerald.  For hundreds of years, many believed the 200-ct. gems adorning the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in Germany’s Cologne Cathedral were emeralds. They are, in fact, peridots. 

• Spiritual: independence
• Soul: dissipates anger, rage and guilty conscience
• Mind: helps break away from external influences as well as to admit mistakes
• Body: strengthens the liver, gallbladder and small intestine; detoxifies and helps with infections, fungi and warts