The August birthstone - peridot, associated with light, and called the "gem of the sun" by the Egyptian's this semi-precious gemstone had Cleopatra convinced she was the owner of an emerald when in fact it was peridot. And for centuries this fascinating gemstone had many mystified.
CELESTIAL BIRTHSTONE
The month of August has a celestial event and astronomical phenomenon where meteor showers take place. So, it's not surprising the gemstone peridot the birthstone of this month, has an extraterrestrial link, found in fallen meteorites that shower the universe during this fascinating event. And additionally, in 2005, it was recovered from comet dust collected from a robotic space probe.
PRECIOUS HISTORY
Peridot, often once mistaken for other green gemstones this beautiful gem confused not only Cleopatra but also during the Medieval times where it adorns the many church treasures and most notably the shrine of the Holy Cathedral in Cologne, where it was long mistaken for an emerald.
VIBRANT HUES OF DISCOVERY
Peridot's colour ranges from yellowish-green to greenish-yellow. The most favoured peridot colour is a richly saturated pure grass green without any hint of yellow or brown.
Early recordings believe Egyptian's mined this vibrant green gemstone on a remote island known as, Zabargad or St. John's Island, off the coast of the Red Sea.
Today the primary mining sources are China, Egypt, Myanmar,
Pakistan, Tanzania, United States, Vietnam.
Extracted from a mineral called Olivine, found in a peridotite rock in the earth upper mantle. Its chemical components are iron and magnesium with iron being the cause of its yellowish-green colour.
MOH HARDNESS
With a Mohs hardness of 6.5 - 7 it's strong enough to wear as a dress ring, therefore caution should be applied, should the wearer wish to wear a peridot ring every day. The best way to nurture the sparkle of this vibrant gemstone is to clean it with warm, soapy water.
So, illuminate your life and celebrate your birth month with this luminous vibrant, wonder, peridot.
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