Birthstones - August 

Peridot

Mohs Hardness: 6.5-7
Specific Gravity: 3.34
Refractive Index: 1.630 - 1.695

Peridot is the birthstone for the month of August and the gemstone representing the 16th wedding anniversary.

Peridot is the gem variety of olivine and ranges in color from light yellow-green, to the intense bright green of new spring grass, to olive green. Peridot is perhaps derived from the French word “peritot,” which means unclear, probably due to the inclusions and cloudy nature of large stones.
Today, most peridot is mined by Native Americans in Arizona on the San Carlos Reservation. Fine large peridot are found in Myanmar (formerly Burma) and peridot is also mined in Kenya, China, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Australia and Sri Lanka. In 1994, an exciting new deposit of peridot was discovered in Pakistan, and these stones are among the finest ever seen. The new mine is located 15,000 feet above sea level in the Nanga Parbat region in the far west of the Himalaya Mountains in the Pakistani part of Kashmir.


Care & Cleaning of Peridot

The beautiful color of your peridot will last indefinitely, if the gem is properly cared for. It is not recommended that peridot be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner, or exposed to temperature extremes. As with all gemstones, peridot should be protected from sharp blows and from being scratched. Peridot can be cleaned with most commercial jewelry cleaners or mild soap and water using a soft brush. Be sure to rinse and dry your jewelry thoroughly after cleaning. We suggest that you bring your jewelry to Gillespie Jewelers at least three times each year for a complimentary inspection and cleaning.