In the heat of the summer comes Peridot, the birthstone for August.  There could be no better gem for the heart of this season, the ancient Egyptians called this green stone the “gem of the sun.” Because of this they believed that it would continue to glow long after the sunset. And the natives of Hawaii believed that the gems were the tears of their volcano goddess, Pele.

Peridot is made up of the mineral Olivine, formed by volcanic activity.  Olivine can range in color from a light sunshine yellow to a rich olive green. This gem can be found in Burma, Norway, Brazil, Australia, Hawaii, the Congo, and in Arizona.

Peridot is traditionally said to inspire purification, growth, intuition, healing, renewal and rebirth. This stone is considered soothing to the nerves and is good for alleviating anger, jealousy and irritation. Stress reduction and relaxation are gifts of Peridot as well. This stone helps us to remain strong and resilient.

This stunning gem has been valued for millenniums and used as a means to connect a person with nature.  It is considered to protect you from evil and when set in gold it fends off nightmares.  Because of the gemstone’s association with nature it is symbolic of vitality.  The gift of a Peridot signifies a deep bond and the promise for the relationship to grow and blossom for years to come.