August (Peridot)

Gem of the Sun

Peridot, the birthstone for August and gemstone for the 16th anniversary, comes in a range of green hues. The Egyptians called it the “gem of the sun” and the fabled emeralds of Cleopatra may really have been peridots mined on a Red Sea island off the coast of Egypt.

The most beautiful peridot stones come from the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, an estimated 80% – 95% of all world production of peridot comes from Arizona.

Formed deep inside the earth peridot is brought to the surface by volcanoes. The most unusual peridot has come to the earth in meteorites! This extraterrestrial peridot is extremely rare.