Peridot is the birthstone for August, the bright yellow green gem that the ancient Egyptians called the gem of the sun. Unlike most stones, peridot comes in only one color, an olive to lime green that stays lively even in candlelight. Born in volcanic rock and even in meteorites, it is a warm, glowing stone with a long history.
On this page
What peridot means, the color of peridot, choosing peridot jewelry, caring for peridot, and common questions.
Wearability: good with a little care, since peridot is 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, ideal in earrings and pendants and a protected setting for a ring
| Birth month | August |
| Color | Yellowish green to grassy green |
| Hardness | 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale |
| Symbolism | Light, warmth, and protection |
| Treatment | Typically none, a natural stone |
The meaning of August's birthstone
The ancient Egyptians mined peridot on a remote island in the Red Sea and called it the gem of the sun, believing its warm green glow held the light of day. They wore it for protection, especially against the terrors of the night, and the stone has carried meanings of warmth, light, and good fortune ever since. Some peridot has even arrived on earth inside meteorites, which only adds to its sense of being a stone born of fire. As the August birthstone, peridot brings that sunlit, protective spirit to a gift, a green that feels alive.
That link to light is older than almost any gem lore, and as one jewelry museum observes, "For over two millennia, the peridot has been compared and related to light."
Museum of Jewelry
The color of peridot
Peridot is the gem variety of the mineral olivine, and it is unusual among gems in that it comes in only one color. Its green is idiochromatic, meaning the color comes from iron that is part of the stone itself rather than from a trace impurity, so peridot is never colorless and never any other hue. The range runs from a yellowish green through a pure, grassy green to a browner olive, and the most prized stones show a rich, pure green with little brown in it, a color that deepens in larger stones. Peridot is usually sold natural and untreated, which is part of its honest appeal, and light inclusions are common and normal. For a closer look at what sets one stone apart, the guide to evaluating peridot quality breaks it down.
Choosing peridot jewelry
Look for a pure green that does not drift too far toward brown or pale yellow, and keep in mind that larger peridots tend to show a deeper, more saturated color, so size and color work together here. An eye clean stone is ideal, though a few light inclusions are part of a natural peridot and nothing to worry about. The stone has a soft, slightly oily glow that suits both easy daytime pieces and more dressed up designs. For metal, yellow gold echoes peridot's own warmth and is the classic pairing, while white gold and silver make the green read cooler and crisper against the skin. The peridot jewelry at Oath includes bracelets, bangles, and pendants in gold and sterling silver. For ideas on wearing it through the year, see how to style birthstone jewelry month by month.
Caring for peridot jewelry
Peridot is moderately hard at 6.5 to 7, softer than quartz, so it can pick up scratches over time and asks for a little more care than the hardest gems. Keep it away from ultrasonic and steam cleaners, sudden changes in temperature, and acids, all of which can harm the stone. Clean it gently with warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth, and store it apart from harder jewelry that could scratch it. Peridot is at its most carefree in earrings, pendants, and bracelets, and in a protected setting when it is worn in a ring. The fine jewelry care guide covers cleaning and storage for every stone and metal in more detail.
In short
- Peridot is August's birthstone, the sunlit green olivine tied to light, warmth, and protection.
- It comes in only one color, so the goal is a pure grassy green with little brown, and larger stones tend to show it best.
- At 6.5 to 7 it is moderately hard, so clean it gently and skip ultrasonic cleaners and sudden heat.
Not sure which birthstone suits the person you are shopping for?
The Oath jewelry guide walks through every birth month, metal, and stone, with practical tips for choosing a piece they will keep.
Read the jewelry guideFrequently asked questions
What is the birthstone for August?
Peridot is the birthstone for August, the yellow green gem variety of olivine that has long marked the month, joined in some lists by spinel as an alternative.
What color is peridot?
Peridot is always green, ranging from a yellowish green through a pure grassy green to a browner olive, with the most prized stones showing a rich green with little brown.
Is peridot good for everyday jewelry?
Peridot is moderately hard at 6.5 to 7, so it wears well in earrings, pendants, and bracelets, and does best in a protected setting when worn daily in a ring.
What does peridot symbolize?
Peridot stands for light, warmth, and protection, a meaning that reaches back to the ancient Egyptians, who tied the sunlit stone to safety through the night.
How do I choose a good peridot?
Peridot quality comes down to a pure green color, good clarity, and a lively cut. The guide to buying peridot jewelry walks through color, size, and setting in more detail.
Does peridot come from meteorites?
Most peridot forms deep in the earth's mantle and reaches the surface through volcanic activity, but some has also arrived inside pallasite meteorites. Meteorite peridot is far too rare and small for jewelry, so the stones sold in shops are earthly in origin.
Is peridot natural or treated?
Peridot is one of the few gems almost always sold natural and untreated, since its green comes from iron within the stone rather than from heat or dye. That honest, intrinsic color is part of its appeal, and a peridot needs no enhancement to show its best.
What is the difference between peridot and emerald?
Peridot and emerald are different minerals that share a green color, which has caused mix ups for centuries, including the belief that some of Cleopatra's emeralds were really peridot. Peridot is a yellowish, sunlit green from olivine, while emerald is a deeper blue green from beryl.
Where does peridot come from?
Most peridot on the market today comes from Arizona in the United States, with finer, larger stones from the Sapat Valley in Pakistan and richly colored material from Myanmar. The ancient Egyptians mined it on Zabargad Island in the Red Sea more than three thousand years ago.
Keep reading
Peridot is a warm, sunlit way to mark an August birthday, with light and protection behind its green. Every order ships free with a 30-day return policy.
