Most gems form in the crust; peridot comes from deeper — the earth's mantle itself — carried up in volcanic eruptions like a passenger on lava. A few peridots skip the planet entirely: gem-quality crystals have been cut from pallasite meteorites. August's birthstone has, without exaggeration, the best origin story in the jewellery box.
That unmistakable green
Peridot is one of the few gems found in a single colour: green, from spring-leaf to deep olive, with a warm, almost oily lustre that glows rather than sparkles. Iron is baked into its crystal recipe — the colour is the stone's identity, not an accident, which is why peridot is rarely treated at all: a refreshing entry in the treatments conversation.
The gem of the sun
Ancient Egyptians mined peridot on a Red Sea island by night — legend claims the stones glowed visibly in darkness — and called it the gem of the sun. Many historians believe Cleopatra's famous 'emeralds' were fine peridots; medieval crusaders repeated the confusion, and several European cathedral 'emeralds' turned out to be exactly that.
Wearing August's stone
At Mohs 6.5–7, peridot is an earrings-and-pendants natural, and happy in rings worn with awareness. Skip ultrasonic cleaners and sudden temperature swings; warm soapy water does everything needed. Its yellow-green flatters yellow gold especially — a sunny, summery pairing that suits its birth month in the birthstone calendar.
Buying well
Seek lively mid-greens without excessive brown, eye-clean as standard, and be aware size jumps value: fine peridots over five carats become genuinely scarce. Fans of green have a wonderful decision to make between peridot's glow and the cooler elegance of green sapphire — ask us to show you both side by side from the vault.
Continue your gem education
Birthstones by Month · Green Sapphires · Judging Gemstones Online · browse all Gem Guides — or explore loose gemstones.
Sources and further reading
- Birthstones by Month — GIA — Gemological Institute of America
- Peridot Description — GIA Gem Encyclopedia — Gemological Institute of America
These are independent gemmological authorities, cited so our statements can be checked against them. Ministry of Gems® is not affiliated with these organisations. Checked August 2026.