About
Peridot is one of the few gems that can only be found in one color:
green. It was called the "evening emerald"� by the ancient Romans.
Where the deep green of emerald is hard to make out in poor lighting,
peridot"s luminous green can be seen even on a dark night. Peridot is
the birthstone of August, and can be given as gift on 16th
anniversaries.
This ancient stone has been referenced in papyrus texts from Egypt
dating from the 2nd millennium BCE. In fact, it was known to be
Cleopatra"s favorite gemstone. The brilliant green of peridot has been
associated with the sun and new plant growth. Ancient Egyptian priests
would drink from cups of peridot, believing they would be brought closer
to their goddess Isis, who ruled nature. Often called "gem of the sun"�
in ancient times, some believed that peridot would protect against evil
spirits.
Whatever you believe - that peridot is a confession of your true
love, like the gem Napoleon sent to Empress Josephine, or that it will
nurture growth like the sun - peridot will surely shine brightly for
generations.
