Your August birthstone - the story behind the peridot

August babies – how lovely it is to celebrate your birthday with sunshine, summer holidays and tan lines (usually). 

 

That's right, it's Leo season; time for those with a fiery, passionate nature to shine. Your birthstone is peridot, did you know? Thought of by the Egyptians as the ‘gem of the sun’, this vibrant, unique and beautiful stone is a bright lime green shade. And is often considered to provide healing powers, attract abundance and encourage an open heart. Okay, we see you.

 

So what does it all mean, and why do you want it round your neck? Well, peridot is a symbol of new beginnings, welcoming opportunities and accepting calm and balance back into your life with open arms.

This little green piece of joy does it all. As well as being a ridiculously pretty addition to any layered ensemble, and a stunning statement styled on it's own.

Headache? Peridot. Heartache? Peridot. Birthday drink? Merlot (wine not?).

 

Like you, it knows how to make a dramatic entrance. Peridot is one of only two gemstones found in lava and molten rock. It literally erupts into this world from earthquakes and volcanoes. Makes sense, right?  

 

Today peridot can be found in various locations all around the world from New Mexico to Tanzania, Kenya and Brazil. A truly timeless gem, ancient papyri record the mining of peridot as early as 1500 BC from a place known at the time as Topazo Island in the Egyptian Red Sea. 

As if it couldn't get more exotic, it's also rumoured that all of the emeralds Cleopatra famously wore were, in fact, peridots. We knew we always liked her. 

Beautiful, intelligent, powerful. Surely you want to follow in the Queen’s footsteps?

Shop the Peridot Necklace here, and the full August birthstone collection here.