Celebrating Peridot: The Vibrant August Birthstone
With its electrifying green radiance, peridot is one of the world’s most captivating gems. As August's birthstone, peridot has been treasured for centuries for its uplifting energy and essence of prosperity. The stone’s vivid color makes it especially eye-catching in the right jewelry piece. Let’s examine what makes the vibrant gem so alluring and take a look at some of our favorite Peridot birthstone gifts from John Atencio’s celebrated jewelry collection.
Luminous Versatility
The signature color of peridot ranges from bright lime to deep olive green, with an intensity unlike any other stone. Its green hues really pop when set amid warm yellow or icy white gold. The striking color also complements all skin tones with an exhilarating burst of green. Peridot's versatility allows it to be incorporated into any style, from everyday wear to red-carpet glamour.
Revered by Ancient Civilizations
Peridot has been recognized for its beauty and symbolic power since ancient times. Egyptians honored it as the "gem of the sun,” mining peridot from the volcanic island of Zabargad. For millennia, large peridots decorated the ornate jewelry and garments of royalty. Hawaiian kings and queens also treasured the stone as a gift from Pele, the goddess of volcanoes. Many cultures have prized peridot for its connection to light, prosperity, and growth. These traits are still linked to the August birthstone, making it a meaningful option for birthday jewelry gifts.
A Closer Look at Peridot
The lively green August birthstone color of peridot comes from the presence of iron in its chemical structure. The stone forms deep in the earth's mantle and is brought to the surface through volcanic activity. While similar in appearance to emerald, peridot differs with its signature yellow-green tones. It also possesses exceptional clarity compared to emeralds, which tend to have more inclusions. The refractive properties of peridot give it an unmistakable shine that brightly illuminates the skin.
Commonly known as the Evening Emerald, peridot has often been confused with actual emerald gemstones. But its luminous green shimmer is uniquely its own. As previously mentioned, peridot tends toward yellow-green rather than emerald's verdant hue. Its beauty stems from luminous shine rather than depth of color. When viewed side by side with emerald, peridot stands apart with its lighter, more effervescent radiance.
Renewing Body, Mind, and Spirit
In crystal healing traditions, peridot is believed to strengthen confidence, restore emotional balance, and amplify positive thinking. Its green rays are thought to foster harmony in relationships and attract new opportunities. Many believe peridot can aid in releasing negative emotions such as guilt, resentment, and apathy. Its joyful and rejuvenating energy is also thought to bring an enhanced sense of well-being. While these merits are subject to debate, there’s no questioning the gemstone’s ability to add radiant color to stylish jewelry designs.
Wearable for All Occasions
With a hardness rating of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, peridot is sufficiently durable for everyday wear. While softer than diamonds and sapphires, the stone’s resilience allows it to withstand most daily activities. That said, it’s generally best to remove peridot jewelry before strenuous sports or tasks. You should also use caution when cleaning to avoid chemical damage. Be sure to always store peridot separately from other gems to prevent scratching. With some basic care and maintenance, peridot maintains its verdant glow for many years as an heirloom treasure.
John Atencio's Peridot Showstoppers
At John Atencio, peridot takes center stage in original designs that encapsulate this stone's striking allure. Some of our favorites include several pieces from John’s Arrivo collection.
Arrive in style with dazzling Arrivo pieces in sterling silver and 14-karat gold. Define your style with colorful trillion and diamond-rich stacking bracelets, rings, pendants, and earrings.
Other favorites include John’s gorgeous Signature Cushion Peridot and Diamond Ring, his Signature Blue Topaz, Peridot, and Pave Diamond Pendant Necklace, and his Signature Trillion Amethyst and Peridot Pendant Necklace with Pave Diamonds.
John's one-of-a-kind peridot creations incorporate organic shapes and avant-garde details. With each piece, meticulous crafting brings out every nuance of color and light, creating versatile statement jewelry. Through his intuitive artistry, each piece reveals the harmony of peridot’s timeless beauty and unique designs with a contemporary edge.
A Uniquely Beautiful Gift for August Birthdays
For those born in August, John’s peridot jewelry makes a meaningful gift. But there are plenty of other gemstone pieces for the special person in your life.
Discover an intriguing collection of gemstone options, from rubies and emeralds to sapphires, garnets, amethyst, and much more. Each high-quality, hand-cut gemstone is carefully selected to bring John’s artistry to life, creating unique jewelry you won’t find anywhere else.
Visit one of John’s convenient locations and let his knowledgeable jewelry experts guide you to the ideal jewelry piece for yourself or that special someone on your shopping list. John’s consultants are eager to help you choose and create meaningful, personalized gifts. Shop online or visit one of the many Colorado John Atencio locations.
