August Birthstone: Peridot Meaning, History & 10 Fascinating Facts

Some gemstones are admired for their brilliance.

Peridot is remembered for its color.

That unmistakable green has been captivating people for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians associated peridot with the sun. For generations, the stone has carried associations with protection, renewal, prosperity, and light.

But its history isn't even the most surprising thing about it.

Peridot forms deep within the Earth and reaches the surface through geological processes often associated with volcanic activity. And extraordinarily rare examples of its mineral family have been discovered inside meteorites.

Earth. Fire. Space.

August chose an interesting birthstone.

What is the August birthstone?

August actually has three recognized birthstones: peridot, spinel, and sardonyx. Of the three, peridot is perhaps the most immediately recognizable thanks to its distinctive yellow-green to green color.

Peridot is the gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine, and unlike gemstones that occur in many different colors, peridot is always found within the green color family.

Its shades can range from yellowish green to a purer, richer green.

That color isn't added later.

It's part of the stone itself.

What gives peridot its green color?

Here's one of our favorite peridot facts: the green comes from within.

Peridot's color is caused by iron that is naturally present in its chemical structure. Changes in that chemistry influence whether the stone appears more yellow-green or closer to pure green.

Gemologists call this kind of gemstone idiochromatic, meaning its color comes from an essential part of its composition rather than a trace impurity that happens to be present.

In other words, green isn't simply a color peridot can be.

Green is part of what makes peridot, peridot.

The most prized examples generally show an intense green with minimal yellow or brown, although the lively yellow-green shades associated with the gemstone have an appeal all their own.

Peridot at a glance

Birthstone: August
Mineral: Olivine
Color: Yellowish green to green
Mohs hardness: 6.5–7
Traditional symbolism: Protection, renewal, prosperity and light
Anniversary: 15th wedding anniversary
Historic source: Zabargad Island in Egypt's Red Sea
Most surprising fact: Peridot's mineral, olivine, has been found in meteorites and even comet dust

That last one deserves a little more attention.

Can peridot really come from space?

Yes.

And this isn't simply gemstone folklore.

Rare gem-quality olivine crystals have been found in pallasite meteorites, a type of meteorite containing crystals of olivine within an iron-nickel structure. Some extraterrestrial peridot crystals are even large enough to be faceted into gemstones.

It gets better.

In 2005, olivine was also identified in comet dust returned to Earth by NASA's Stardust spacecraft.

Which means August's green birthstone has connections to both the depths of our planet and the earliest material in our solar system.

For us in Clear Lake, just down the road from NASA's Johnson Space Center, that's a detail that's difficult not to love.

Some stones have provenance.

Peridot has a travel history.

Why was peridot called the "Gem of the Sun"?

Long before peridot became an August birthstone, ancient Egyptians treasured the green gem.

One of the earliest known sources was Zabargad Island, a small island in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt. Mining there dates back more than 2,000 years.

The Egyptians associated peridot with the sun, and historical lore held that the stone could offer protection from the darkness or "terrors of the night."

Even the island itself has a colorful history. Ancient accounts described it as the "island of serpents," and the source became famous for producing exceptional green crystals.

Thousands of years later, fine historic peridot from Zabargad remains prized.

Was Cleopatra's emerald collection actually peridot?

Possibly.

And this is where gemstone history gets particularly interesting.

For centuries, green gemstones weren't identified with the precision available to modern gemologists. Peridot was sometimes mistaken for emerald and other green gems.

That has led some historians to suggest that at least part of Cleopatra's legendary emerald collection may actually have contained peridot.

We can't know with certainty.

But the confusion wasn't limited to ancient Egypt. For centuries, large green gemstones decorating the Shrine of the Three Kings in Germany's Cologne Cathedral were believed to be emeralds.

They were peridots.

Apparently, peridot has been stealing emerald's invitations for a very long time.

How does peridot form?

Most gemstones we encounter form within the Earth's crust.

Peridot's story begins deeper.

Olivine occurs in rocks from the Earth's upper mantle. Geological activity can eventually bring that material closer to the surface, including through volcanic processes.

That's part of what makes the gemstone so compelling.

The polished green stone you see in a piece of fine jewelry began somewhere humans could never simply go and retrieve it.

It had to come to us.

Why is peridot the birthstone for August?

Peridot has been associated with August for generations, and its color feels particularly suited to this point in the year.

August sits between seasons.

The days are still bright, but change is already beginning. Vacations become memories. New school years arrive. Summer starts giving way to whatever comes next.

Peridot's green feels at home there.

Traditionally associated with renewal, prosperity, protection and light, it makes an especially meaningful August birthday gift for someone beginning a new chapter.

And you don't need an August birthday to wear it.

A good gemstone has never required permission from the calendar.

How to wear peridot jewelry

Peridot's green can be surprisingly versatile.

Set in yellow gold, its warmer yellow-green tones become richer and more luminous. The combination feels sunny, confident and distinctly modern.

Against white gold or platinum, the contrast becomes cooler and crisper, allowing the green to command more attention.

Peridot also works beautifully as a point of color within a jewelry collection: a pendant among everyday chains, earrings beside familiar gold pieces, or a ring that interrupts an otherwise neutral stack.

You don't need to build an entire look around it.

Sometimes one unexpected color is enough.

Is peridot durable enough for everyday jewelry?

Peridot measures 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. That makes it suitable for jewelry, but it deserves more consideration than harder gemstones such as diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.

Earrings and pendants are naturally protected from much of the impact a ring encounters. A peridot ring can certainly be worn and enjoyed, but it should be treated with care and removed before activities likely to expose it to scratches or hard blows.

And when it's time to clean it, keep things simple.

Warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush are the safest approach. Steam and ultrasonic cleaners aren't recommended for peridot.

Knowing how to care for a gemstone is part of owning it well.

What should you look for when buying peridot?

Start with color.

Fine peridot is valued for an attractive, saturated green. Pure green examples are comparatively rare, while yellowish green is more commonly encountered.

Then look at clarity and cut. Better-quality peridot is often clean to the unaided eye, allowing its color and brightness to come through clearly.

And here's another fun detail to look for under magnification: peridot has strong double refraction. Viewed through the stone, some facet edges can appear doubled.

It's one of those little characteristics that's difficult to stop noticing once someone shows you.

Why we love peridot now

Peridot has everything we want from a gemstone with history, but it doesn't feel stuck in history.

Its green is unexpected.

Its story is extraordinary.

And unlike a neutral stone that quietly adapts to everything around it, peridot brings a point of view.

Some people choose it because they were born in August. Others choose it to celebrate a 15th anniversary. Some simply see the color and know.

All are perfectly good reasons.

Because a birthstone doesn't have to be yours to mean something.

Frequently Asked Questions About the August Birthstone

What is August's birthstone?

August has three recognized birthstones: peridot, spinel, and sardonyx. Peridot is the vivid green option and one of the month's best-known gemstones.

What does peridot symbolize?

Peridot has historically been associated with light and protection and is commonly connected today with renewal, prosperity, joy, and new beginnings. The ancient Egyptians famously associated the gemstone with the sun.

Why is peridot green?

Peridot's green color comes from iron that is an essential part of its chemical composition. Its color ranges from yellowish green to green, with purer green examples generally considered especially desirable.

Is peridot rare?

Peridot suitable for jewelry is available from several sources around the world, but exceptional stones with fine color can be much more unusual. Extraterrestrial peridot found in meteorites is exceedingly rare.

Does peridot come from meteorites?

Rarely, yes. Olivine crystals—the mineral of which peridot is the gem variety—occur in certain meteorites called pallasites. Some extraterrestrial crystals are even large enough to facet into gemstones.

Is peridot from space sold in jewelry stores?

Ordinary peridot jewelry is overwhelmingly made with material formed on Earth. Gem-quality extraterrestrial peridot is extremely rare and isn't what you're typically seeing in a jewelry case.

Is peridot a good gemstone for rings?

Yes, with appropriate care. Peridot has a Mohs hardness of 6.5 to 7 and can be worn in rings, but it is more susceptible to scratching and impact than diamonds, rubies, or sapphires.

How should you clean peridot jewelry?

Clean peridot with warm, soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaners because rapid or uneven heat can damage the gemstone.

Is peridot a 15th anniversary gemstone?

Yes. In addition to being an August birthstone, peridot is associated with the 15th wedding anniversary.

Where can I shop for peridot jewelry in Houston?

Lewis Jewelers in the Houston area can help you explore peridot and other colored gemstone jewelry, whether you're celebrating an August birthday, a 15th anniversary, or simply looking for a color that feels like you.

Some stones mark a month.

The right one marks a moment.