Think of every passing year as an opportunity to celebrate with your birthstone. In fact, people have been wearing birthstone jewelry since the 15^th century in Poland, when they were encouraged to own all 12. And while birthstone secrets and lore can be found right here on our blog, today we share what makes YOUR birthstone a powerful statement of your finest qualities.

The post Discover the Powers of Your Birthstone appeared first on GIA 4Cs Blog.

August’s fascinating birthstone may be called the “extreme gem” because it is formed in the most extreme conditions, found in lava, meteorites and deep within Earth’s mantle. Peridot has been found in pallasite meteorites, which contain remnants of our solar system’s birth. In 2006, peridot was found in comet dust brought back from the Stardust robotic space probe.

“The Green Goddess”, 154 carat peridot set in gold with yellow diamonds accents. Image courtesy of The Field Museum.

However, as exciting as extraterrestrial peridot is, it is more commonly found here on Earth, particularly in volcanic rocks known as basalts. The gemstone can commonly be found in lava flows in the United States, China and Vietnam. Sometimes peridot can be found as large crystals lining veins or pockets in certain types of solidified molten rock in Finland, Pakistan and Myanmar.

Peridot from Ethiopia. Image (c) ICA.

Throughout history, peridot has often been confused with other gems such as topaz and emerald. The Shrine of the Three Holy Kings in Germany’s Cologne Cathedral is decorated with 200 carats of gems. They were believed to be emeralds, but they are , in fact, peridots. Some historians even speculate Cleopatra’s famous emerald collection may have been comprised of peridot.

6.33carat peridot pendant set in 18k white gold.

Peridot is the gem variety of the mineral forsterite , which contains iron and magnesium. It is part of the mineral group olivine and ranges from yellowish green to greenish yellow. Peridot’s finest color is a richly saturated green to slightly yellowish-green that’s free of brownish tints.Smaller, lighter shades are widely available and more affordable. A well cut peridot can be a beautiful and brilliant gem.

Peridot with rich, deep yellow green color.

Peridot is softer than many gems with a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. Peridot should be stored with care to avoid scratching. It can be cleaned with mild dish soap in warm water using a toothbrush to scrub behind the stone where dust can collect. Ultrasonic and steam cleaning are not advised, as either of these methods risks damaging the stone.

Are you an August baby or do you just love peridot? Please share what makes peridot special to you!

The post Peridot: The Extreme Gem appeared first on GIA 4Cs Blog.

Peridot, the August birthstone, is the gem variety of the mineral olivine. Instantly recognizable with its distinctive lime green color, peridot is known as the “extreme” gem because it is only found in harsh conditions. It is mined from rocks created by volcanoes and even found in meteorites that fall to Earth.

This 10.89-carat peridot and diamond platinum ring is reminiscent of a summer meadow.

The ancient source of this gemstone is from a tiny island in the Red Sea known as Zabargad, with the first written mention dating to 300 BC.

Peridot is only found in green, due to the iron that is part of the gemstone’s structure.

The Romans called peridot “evening emerald” since its green color did not darken at night but was still visible by lamplight. Peridot symbolizes purity, it’s thought to protect its wearers from evil spirits, and is said to strengthen the power of any medicine.

This 23.05-total carat weight necklace elegantly displays peridot, green tourmaline, tsavorite garnets and pearls

Check out peridot in the GIA Celebrates Birthstones exhibit at the GIA Carlsbad campus. Schedule a free tour 24 hours in advance by contacting guestservices@gia.edu; calling 800-421-7250, ext. 4116 or 760-603-4116; or visiting www.gia.edu.

The post GIA Celebrates Birthstones – Peridot, the Gemstone Born From Fire appeared first on GIA 4Cs Blog.

Hailing from the olivine group of minerals, the peridot is a mysterious and thought-provoking gem. Peridot was valued in many ancient and medieval cultures, first in the second century BC in priests’ jewelry and later in the chalices and churches of medieval Europe. Peridot has also been used for centuries as a protective talisman, shielding the owner from evil spirits and “terrors of the night.”

Today, the gem is highly desired because of its range of colors, from brownish or yellowish green to greenish yellow—making peridot one of the very few gemstones that occur in olive green naturally. The differing shades of green are indicative of different levels of iron present in the stone. The color is especially exuberant because of its transparency, causing light to catch even in the dimmest surroundings and earning it the name “the evening emerald” and, as the Egyptians called it, the “gem of the sun”. However, peridot’s mythical nature goes further than warding off evil spirits.

While most peridot is found in lava rock deposits, the rarest form of this gem can be found in meteorites, making it the only matter from outer space that can be used as a gemstone. This form of peridot comes from meteorites called pallasites, which are  iron-rich. One of the enthralling qualities of these particular gems is the notion that the origins of the extraterrestrial stone are completely unknown.

Today, when the stone isn’t found in meteorites, peridot can most commonly be found in Myanmar, Pakistan, Norway and the United States, particularly Arizona. It has also been found in Ethiopia and the Antarctic. Its original occurrence, the island of Zabargad in the Red Sea, is no longer producing. Arizona’s cache of the stone, often found in brownish-green hues, is important to the Apaches as an income revenue. Peridots are normally available in faceted or table shapes, usually cut congruent to the crystal’s natural structure, and can be calibrated up to about 5 carats. This exquisite gemstone can also be used for bead necklaces and bracelets when tumbled and faceted.

Peridot is not a very hard gem (with a hardness of 6.5-7), and cannot take hard wear, so it is not recommended for use in rings if the rings are going to be worn everyday. Peridot can also be damaged by acid and long-term exposure to perspiration. Cleaning peridot is a delicate process. Never use a steam cleaner or ultrasonic cleaner, as peridot is vulnerable to thermal shock.  Instead, warm, soapy water is recommended for cleaning. In the July 2002 JCK article titled Peridot, Gary Roskin also noted that “dust should be washed off before wiping with a soft cloth to prevent scratching and dulling the surface polish”.

Already own a piece with peridot? You can obtain a GIA Colored Stone Identification Report, providing you with a complete gemological examination of your specific stone.

The post August Birthstone: Peridot, from Earth or from Space appeared first on GIA 4Cs Blog.