August gemstone: Peridot fun facts

Peridot Fun Facts:
Peridot is one of the few gems that only occurs in only one color - olive green.  The intensity of the color can vary quite a bit, however, from nearly yellow to brownish-green.  The most valued color is a dark olive green.
 

Peridot is gem-quality olivine, which is found in lava rocks and meteorites (no other gem ever arrives from outer space!).  Olivine is usually found as small grains, and gem-size pieces are very rare.  Hawaii’s Green Sand Beach is made up of olivine.



Throughout history, peridot has often been mistaken for emerald - Cleopatra had an astounding “emerald” now believed to have actually been a peridot, mined from an island in the Red Sea.

Peridot has an impressive list of positive features associated with it, including:
     Generosity
     Charm
     Luck
     Fame
     A Sunny Disposition
…and has been associated with the Heart Chakra, for balancing and centering.

Besides being the birthstone for August, peridot is also the 15th anniversary gemstone.