Peridot - August Birthstone

Peridot is immediately recognisable. That vivid lime green — somewhere between fresh grass and olive — doesn't look quite like any other gemstone, and it's one of the very few that only occurs in a single colour. There's no blue peridot, no red peridot. Just that particular green, in varying depths from pale yellow-green to a rich, saturated olive. For anyone born in August, it's a birthstone with a distinctly individual character.

What does peridot mean?

Peridot has been valued for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians called it the "gem of the sun" and mined it on a volcanic island in the Red Sea — some historians believe that Cleopatra's famous collection of emeralds may actually have been peridot. It's been found in medieval European church treasures, used in ceremonial objects, and historically associated with protection, good fortune, and clarity of mind.

The modern symbolism around peridot centres on positivity and renewal. It's often described as a stone that brings lightness — emotional clarity, a lift in energy, a clearing of old patterns. Whether or not you engage with crystal meanings, it's a stone that carries an undeniably uplifting quality simply in its colour.

Why is peridot August's birthstone?

Peridot's association with August has ancient roots, connected to Leo (which runs through most of August) and Virgo (which begins in late August). Both signs are associated with warmth, vitality, and attention to detail — qualities that have traditionally been attributed to peridot. The stone also has a long association with the sun, which fits August's character as the height of summer.

For anyone born in August, peridot is one of the more distinctive birthstones in the calendar. Its colour is unusual enough to be a genuine talking point, and it's warm without being heavy — the kind of stone that works year-round without feeling seasonally limited.

The stone itself — what to know

Peridot is a variety of the mineral olivine, and unlike most gemstones, it forms deep within the earth's mantle rather than the crust. It reaches the surface via volcanic activity — which is part of why it was found on volcanic islands and, interestingly, has also been found in meteorites. It's one of only two gemstones (the other being diamond) known to form in this way.

On the Mohs hardness scale, peridot sits at 6.5–7 — slightly softer than amethyst or quartz, which means it's best worn in protective settings and kept away from harder stones in storage. For necklaces and earrings, this is rarely an issue. For bracelets or rings worn daily, a bezel or protective setting is worth considering.

The depth of colour varies by origin. The finest peridots — with the most intense green — come from Pakistan's Kashmir region. Arizona produces beautiful specimens too, as does China. Colour depth is the main quality indicator: a rich, saturated green is more valued than a pale or yellowish stone.

Peridot and healing — what people believe

Peridot appears consistently in crystal healing traditions as a stone of positive energy and renewal. It's associated with the heart chakra and the solar plexus — in practice, it's often recommended for people going through transitions, releasing old habits, or looking to bring more optimism into their day-to-day. Its colour alone has a genuinely uplifting effect that's hard to argue with.

For more on the stones commonly worn for their energy properties, see our guide to healing crystals to wear around your neck.

How to wear peridot jewellery

Peridot's lime green sits naturally alongside gold — the warm tones complement each other without competing. Silver works too, giving the stone a cooler, more contemporary feel. The colour is strong enough that peridot pieces tend to work best in relatively simple settings — the stone is the focal point, and elaborate metalwork can distract from it.

As a necklace, peridot sits beautifully at collarbone length and works with most skin tones — its yellow-green undertones are particularly flattering on warm and olive complexions. As a bracelet stone, it adds a vivid note that catches the light in a way that subtler stones don't.

Browse our peridot jewellery collection or explore the full August birthstone range — all pieces are handmade in our Chester studio.

Peridot as a gift

Peridot makes a strong gift for anyone born in August, but it's also worth considering for:

• Leo or Virgo birthdays — the two signs that run through August both have a traditional connection to peridot.
• Someone who wears green — the colour is specific enough that it suits people who are already drawn to it, and works particularly well for those with a warmer personal style.
• A 16th wedding anniversary gift — peridot is the traditional stone for this milestone.
• Someone going through a new chapter — the associations with renewal and positive energy make it a thoughtful choice for beginnings.

All orders arrive in our signature Abiza gift box, ready to give as they are.

Explore more birthstones

Peridot is one of twelve birthstones — each with its own character and meaning. Our complete birthstone guide covers every month, and our birthstone jewellery collection includes pieces for every birth month, handmade to order.