The modern gemstone for the month of August is peridot. Peridot is a yellowish-green mineral that is composed of the minerals Magnesium and Iron Silicate. The combinations of these two produces a mineral called Foreseritic Olivine. Peridot can found in many locations throughout the world but primarily in the United States, Australia, Brazil, China, Kenya, Mexico and many other countries. The San Carlos Indian Reservation in Arizona is considered by many the primary source of most peridot but the best examples come from Pakistan, Egypt and Myanmar. The best colored peridot have less than fifteen percent iron and nickel and chromium trace elements. Peridot is one of the only gems that comes in one primary color of green with some in the yellow-green. With a smooth and velvet appearance with a slight greased look, Peridot is often valued greatly when it is of purer green coloration. Olivine is considered an abundant mineral but only gem quality peridot is considered rare.
Peridot gets it's name from two sources. One form of the word came from the French word "peritot" for "unclear" or the Arabic term "faridat" for the word "gem". Previous history has peridot confused with two gemstones. The emerald and topaz. Through the course of time, Peridot was recognized as a gem of it's own and some of the finest treasures that exist today that had emeralds as the primary gemstone turned out in the end to be peridot instead.
Folklore mentions that the peridot was a considered a symbol of good luck and peace. It was also thought to bring power and success. Small amounts of peridot were found in the black sand beaches of Hawaii and some locals considered the gemstones the tears of the goddess Pele. Ancient folklore considered that peridot had medicinal properties.
Peridot is given as an anniversary gift for the 16th year of marriage.
