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Birthstone for August - Peridot
By Sam and Tami Serio
Morning Light Jewelry
If you're still young enough to remember your birthday, you probably also
remember the special birthstone assigned to it. But at your age, we bet
you don't really know the SIGNIFICANCE of your birthstone and what power
the ancients felt would be bestowed about you by wearing it.
August Birthstone: Peridot
August
Birthstone Properties: Illumination
August
Alternative Birthstone: Sardonyx
Peridot is the birthstone for August and 16th anniversary gemstone. Its
name comes from the Arabic word "faridat," meaning gem. Peridot is
sometimes referred to as an "Evening Emerald" because under artificial
light it glows as a brilliant green. Peridot is transparent with
subtle color in a variety of greens, ranging from light yellowish green to
a dark olive. The purer green a peridot is, the higher the value. Any
tinge of brown greatly diminishes the value of a peridot, as well as
visible flaws.
Ancient History Found in both early Greek and early Roman jewelry, peridot
has been popular since 1500 BC when the Egyptians started mining it. The
Egyptians called the lustrous stone the "gem of the sun" and believed it
had the power to ward off anxiety, enhance speech, and foster success in
relationships and marriage.
Peridot crystals are sometimes combed from the black sands of Hawaii where
the gemstone is abundant and available in larger sizes. Hawaiians believe
that peridot is the tears shed by Pele, the volcano goddess. Pele must
have traveled extensively, however, because peridot is also mined in
Burma, Norway, Brazil, Australia, Hawaii, the Congo, and in Arizona.
Peridot is found in Europe in many medieval churches decorating several
treasures, including the Cologne Cathedral. Peridot use peaked during the
Baroque era, but the gemstone fell out of favor over time until the 1990's
when a new source in Pakistan re-ignited interest in the forgotten stone.
Take Two and Call Me in the Morning Legend has it that drinking from a
peridot goblet can increase the potency of medicines. Egyptian priests
drank from cups made of peridot, believing it would draw them closer to
Isis, their goddess of nature. Peridot was said to be useful for calming
raging angers, curing nervous afflictions and promoting tranquility in
high-strung individuals.
Many legends state that peridot was considered a powerful amulet against
all evil, as well as a remedy for sinus problems. Powdered peridot has
been used to cure asthma, while a peridot stone placed under the tongue of
someone with fever is believed to lessen his/her thirst.
Making Dreams Come True Peridot was thought to help dreams become a
reality and was often given as a symbol of fame, strength and vitality as
well as promise of new growth in the years ahead. It also symbolizes
eloquence and persuasiveness.
Peridots were especially favored by pirates. The terrors of the sea
considered peridot powerful amulets against all evil, and when set in
gold, were said to protect the wearer from the terrors of the night
including nightmares.
More information about Peridot
The Authors of the above Article, Sam and Tami Serio have been
passionately involved with Jewelry and Gemstones for over fifteen-years.
For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to
visit
www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To
Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise,
informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to
know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE
report at
www.morninglightjewelry.com . |
