Peridot is August's birthstone and has been loved since the Ancient World . This green stone was first discovered and mined on islands in the Red Sea. The gem's name comes from the Greek for "to give richness", and for the Ancient World, peridot necklaces and peridot earrings were loved and worn by the rich. Peridot jewelry was so popular that it became known in Ancient Rome as "the emerald of the evening".
Later, in Medieval Europe, peridot became associated with moral purity and adorned churches built at the time. This legacy still exists today in the Catholic church in the peridot rings worn by bishops. At some point during this period peridot became August's birthstone and associated with love, as the poem states that "The August born without this stone,/ 'Tis said, must live unloved alone."
For centuries peridot jewelry has been loved for its beauty. Because peridot is August's birthstone, it is a thoughtful gift for a family member or friend born in August. But with its gorgeous green shades, a color associated with the fun and love of summer, peridot jewelry is a thoughtful and gorgeous gift for any loved one and for any occasion.
