August Birthstone
Top 10 Enchanting Facts About August's Birthstone
At Lulu & Levi, we specialize in creating unique, handmade, personalised jewellery that tells a story. This month, we're shining the spotlight on one of the most vibrant and intriguing gemstones and one of my personal favourites, Peridot. Known for its dazzling lime green hues, Peridot is not only the birthstone for August but also a symbol of good fortune and peace.
In this blog we'll discuss the unique properties that make peridot such a beautiful Gemstone, Care Tips on how to care for your peridot and our Top 10 Enchanting facts about Peridot that are so bazaar they sound made up!
Peridot is a gemstone with distinct characteristics that make it a favorite among both gem enthusiasts and Goldsmiths alike.
Chemical Composition / What makes it Green!
Peridot is the gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine, a silicate mineral. Its chemical formula is \((Mg, Fe)_2SiO_4\), where magnesium and iron make up a significant part of its composition. The color variations are mainly due to the varying iron content.
Speaking of Colour...
Peridot is one of the few gemstones that come in a single colour, although the shades can vary from yellowish-green to olive to brownish-green. The most valued color is a rich, vibrant, green without any hint of yellow or brown.
It's pretty Clear to see...
in terms of clarity Peridot typically has fewer inclusions than other gemstones, and high-quality peridot is often ''eye-clean'', meaning no inclusions are visible to the naked eye. Some common inclusions can be "lily pads"—tiny cracks that create a disk-shaped inclusion which are often an extremely eyecatching inclusion making the gemstone even more beautiful.
It needs to be Minded!
Peridot scores 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, which makes it fairly durable but still more susceptible to scratches, chips and breaks than harder gems like diamonds, sapphires, and rubies so care must be taken when creating the piece of jewellery and of course when wearing it.
Some DONT like it hot!
Peridot is sensitive to rapid temperature changes and can crack under extreme heat, so it is NOT recommened to put this gemstone into boiling or hot water (as some people often do when cleaning their jewellery at home) Caution should be exercised when cleaning your peridot jewellery at home and steam or ultrasonic cleaners are also not recommended. The use of a gentle soft toothbrush and luke warm soapy water is enough to return this green beauty to its original vibrant self.
While we're on the topic of cleaning your Peridot, here are some quick Do's and Dont's.....
DO Keep Away from Chemicals Harsh chemicals, including common household cleaners, can damage peridot. Always remove your peridot jewellery before using cleaners, swimming in chlorinated water, or applying hairspray and perfumes makeup etc.
DO use a Soft Cloth for Cleaning: Clean your peridot using a soft cloth. You can lightly dampen the cloth with water if necessary, but generally, a dry cloth will suffice to remove everyday dust and fingerprints.
DO use Mild Soap and Water: For a deeper clean, use mild soap and lukewarm water. Gently scrub the peridot with a soft-bristle toothbrush, then rinse thoroughly to remove soap residues and as always dry well before storage to protect the precious metal from tarnishing.
DON'T Use Ultrasonic and Steam Cleaners: Because of its particular composition and the potential for inclusions that can expand under heat, it's best to avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaning which can damage or cause the stone to shatter!
DON'T wear when active: While peridot is fairly durable, it’s best worn with some caution. Avoid wearing peridot jewellery during activities that could expose the stone to sharp blows, such as sports or heavy physical labor.
DO have a Professional Inspection: Have your peridot jewellery professionally inspected once a year to ensure that any issues with the setting or the stone itself are caught early and can be repaired without risking further damage
DID YOU KNOW? some awesomely enchanting facts about Peridot that sound completely made up...
Peridot is one of the oldest known gemstones, with records dating back more than 3,500 years. Ancient Egyptians called it the “gem of the sun,” believing it protected its wearer from terrors of the night.
It's believed to be extraterrestrial....Some peridot crystals found on earth have extraterrestrial origins, coming from outer space in meteorites. This makes peridot one of the few gemstones known to exist outside of our planet's mantle.
Hawaiian legend ties peridot to the goddess Pele, who controls the volcanoes. The locals believed that peridot gemstones were the tears of Pele shed in volcanic eruptions. That's why the heart of Te Fiti in Disneys Moana is a peridot! ( No, that last part I made up but it would sort of make sense! I've clearly had to watch Moana too many times! )
Most of the peridot found today was formed deep inside the Earth in the mantle and delivered to the surface by volcanic activity, making it a gem truly born from fire.
Peridot may have been Cleopatra’s favorite gemstone, not emerald as often believed. Ancient records suggest that many of the “emeralds” worn by Cleopatra were actually peridots. The Romans admired peridot because it did not darken at night but continued to shimmer under candlelight. They aptly named it the “evening emerald.”
Throughout history, peridot has been valued for its healing properties. It’s believed to bring vitality to the whole body and help in tissue regeneration, making it a perfect 'well-being' gem. Peridot is often associated with harmony, good health, restful sleep, and peace.
Yet with all it's beauty and very interesting a bazaar history Peridot is not amongst the most expensive gemstones, as a matter of fact it's usually amongst the most inexpensive gemstones, possibly due to the fact it's currently plentiful. Although with market trends and how well the piece of jewellery is made, some pieces can fetch a very high price.
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