August Birthstone – Peridot Jewelry
Peridot is the August Birthstone, and according to ancient Egyptians, is the Gemstone of the Sun. Since peridot is typically found “in lava, meteorites and deep in the Earth’s mantle” (GIA), the GIA considers peridot to be one of the more extreme precious gemstones.
Noted by its intense yellow-green hue, peridot is a variant of olivine, a mineral frequently found in the upper crust of Earth. The GIA grades peridot quality by the Four C’s, like diamonds.
August Birthstone – Four C’s
Color:
Geologists have found the finest quality peridot in Myanmar and Pakistan. They discovered that the stones typically range from a pure green to a greenish-yellow or yellowish-green.
Clarity:
As with most precious gemstones, the absence or visible inclusions (tiny black specks) and blemishes decrease the gemstone’s value. However, what is unique to the peridot gemstone is the presence of a double refraction effect. In fact, this is caused by disk-shaped inclusions called lily pads.
Lily pad inclusions under a microscope (GIA)
Cut:
Peridot comes in a wide array of cuts, it is up to the recipient to decide which they prefer. However, brilliant cuts often use step cuts with concentric rows of parallel facets.
Carat Weight:
The best color peridot tends to occur in stones larger than 10 carats are from the Himalayas and Myanmar. Furthermore, Jewelers will frequently source peridot from Arizona and China.
You can shop Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers online for fine peridot jewelry to commemorate an August birthday or a 15th wedding anniversary. Moreover, stop by one of our Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers stores to see a broader selection of this impeccable gemstone!
