Peridot - the Birthstone for August

"Wear a Peridot or for thee,
No conjugal fidelity,
The August born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved; alone."

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Peridot is an ancient gemstone which The Crusaders brought back to Europe from St John’s Island in the Red Sea in the Middle Ages, where it had been mined for over 3,500 years.

In the past peridot gemstones were often thought to be emeralds and some historians believe that Cleopatra’s fabulous emerald jewellery might actually have been peridot. People in medieval times continued to confuse peridot with emerald and for centuries people believed the fabulous 200-ct. gems adorning the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in Germany’s Cologne Cathedral were emeralds. They are, in fact, peridots.

 Peridot symbolizes strength. It is sometimes called the evening emerald for its light green color. People in ancient Greece believed that the green peridot crystals found in volcanic ashes were the tears of the volcano goddess, Pele.

 Some people also believe that peridot aids people who suffer from depression as it helps to balance emotions and it brings inner piece to its wearer.

 The Chinese believe that it protects the wearer from the evil eye and frees the mind from envious thoughts.