The August Birthstone Guide: All About Peridot — The Gem of Light and Summer
At Everglow Jewelry in Tampa, we love celebrating birthstones—not just for their beauty, but for their rich stories, symbolism, and personal connection. For those born in August, your gem is peridot, a luminous green stone with a truly celestial origin. Whether you're gifting it, wearing it for your birth month, or customizing a piece with it, here's everything you need to know about this radiant gemstone.
🌿 The History and Lore of Peridot
Peridot has been treasured for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians called it the “gem of the sun” and mined it on the volcanic island of Zabargad in the Red Sea as early as 1500 B.C. Cleopatra was believed to favor peridot, mistaking it for emerald due to its rich green glow.
In Hawaiian culture, peridot symbolizes the tears of Pele, the volcano goddess. It’s also believed to bring peace, protect against nightmares, and promote good health and abundance.
In the Middle Ages, it was used in ecclesiastical treasures and believed to ward off evil spirits. Today, it continues to shine as a symbol of light, protection, and positive energy.
💚 Why Peridot Was Chosen for August
Peridot was officially designated the August birthstone in 1912 by the American National Retail Jewelers Association. Its vibrant, summery color reflects the warmth and vitality of the season. It's also one of the few gemstones that comes in only one color—green—though the exact shade can range from bright yellow-green to olive depending on its iron content.
💎 What Makes Peridot Special?
Peridot is one of the few gemstones that forms deep within the Earth's mantle and is brought to the surface by volcanic activity—just like diamonds. Even more amazing? Peridot has been found in meteorites, making it truly out-of-this-world.
Unlike many other gemstones that rely on trace impurities for color, peridot’s green hue is intrinsic to its composition. That means its color is always natural—no enhancements necessary.
✨ Peridot in Jewelry Design
At Everglow Jewelry, we love incorporating peridot into custom jewelry—whether as a feature stone in a custom necklace, stackable rings, or engagement rings with personality. Its bright color pairs beautifully with yellow gold, though it also offers a fresh contrast when set in white gold or silver jewelry.
Peridot is also a lovely choice for bracelet engraving gifts, mother’s jewelry, or birthstone studs. Want to make your peridot pop even more? Try pairing it with diamonds or moissanite accents for extra sparkle.
🔍 Things to Know Before Buying Peridot
While peridot is beautiful, it is not as hard as sapphires or diamonds. It ranks 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, which means it can scratch or chip if worn daily or without care. We recommend:
Choosing protective settings (like bezels) for rings
Avoiding ultrasonic cleaning
Taking it off during rough activity or cleaning
Ask us at Everglow Jewelry to do a complimentary clean and inspection if you already own a peridot piece—we’ll let you know if it needs any special care.
🌍 Natural, Lab-Grown, and Imitation Peridot
Most peridot used in fine jewelry is natural—especially from mines in Arizona, Pakistan, and Myanmar. Currently, lab-grown peridot isn’t widely available, so be cautious of extremely cheap peridot lookalikes. Imitation stones may include colored glass or other minerals.
As always, we verify all our gemstones at Everglow Jewelry and are happy to help educate you before you buy. Transparency matters.
🎁 When to Gift Peridot Jewelry
Peridot isn’t just for August birthdays! It’s also traditionally gifted for the:
New beginnings (symbolizes renewal and growth)
Graduation gifts (represents confidence and success)
Push presents for August babies
Want something extra meaningful? Turn a loved one’s old gemstone jewelry into a custom peridot ring or pendant with our in-store custom design process.
💚 Why Buy Your Peridot Jewelry from Everglow Jewelry?
At Everglow Jewelry in Tampa Palms, we believe every piece of jewelry should tell a story. Our custom jewelry design, recycled gold jewelry, and ethically sourced gemstones give you options that feel good and look stunning.
Whether you're choosing peridot for an eco-friendly engagement ring, a personalized jewelry gift, or a modern heirloom, we’ll walk you through the design and care process every step of the way.
Come visit our showroom to explore our lab grown diamonds, moissanite rings, and genuine birthstone jewelry, or work with us one-on-one to create something truly unique.
✨ Let Your Light Shine with Peridot
With its ancient history, celestial origin, and bold summery glow, peridot is one of the most fascinating and joyful birthstones out there. At Everglow Jewelry, we’re here to help you fall in love with this gem—whether it’s your birthstone or just speaks to your style.
Want to create a one-of-a-kind peridot piece or find the perfect August birthday gift? Come see us in Tampa or book a design consultation today.
