August Birthstone Information
According to the website Birthstones.org, if you receive your birth month's gemstone, which is based on the Gregorian calendar, it will bring you good luck. The birthstone for August is peridot, or chrysolite, which is found in Egypt, Sri Lanka, Brazil, China, Burma and the United States. Called the "poor man's emerald," peridot is the only gem that is found in only one color. Does this Spark an idea?
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Properties
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Known for its bright, sparkling lime-green color, peridot is most valuable in jewelry when it has no dark markings to detract from the green. A bright-green peridot is the most valuable specimen, but the stone is also found in yellowish-green, lime, olive green or dark green. Peridot derives its various shades of green based on the amount of iron it contains in its crystal structure, which is made up of magnesium iron silicate. Considered one of the softer gems, peridot can be scratched by quartz.
Origin and Cultural Significance
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The peridot name was derived from the Greek "faridat," which means "gem." Early Egyptians also coveted the peridot, which they called "the gem of the sun." The national gem of Egypt, peridots were first found in the Red Sea's Topazo Island, or St. John's Island, in about 70 A.D. Peridots were worn by and buried with Pharaohs to ward off evil spirits, and in Ancient Rome, peridots were worn to protect the wearer from enchantment and melancholy and were often set in gold to protect the wearer from terrors in the night. In the Middle Ages, peridot was worn for its ability to help the wearer see into the future, making it more popular than even the diamond.
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Symbolism
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The website Birthstones.org states that the green color of the peridot stone symbolizes life's renewal in many religions and cultures. Mythical properties of the peridot stone include faithfulness, truth, love and loyalty, but it also is said to have metaphysical properties that can bring fame to the wearer or can foster prosperity and openness. The peridot stone is also known to have lung-, sinus-, lymph- and breast-healing powers.
Peridot Production
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The United States is considered the largest producer of peridot in the world, with $1.5 million in assets as of 1993. Competitors include China and Pakistan, but the United States' mining in New Mexico and Arizona yield high quantities of the stone.
Zodiak Birthstone
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While peridot is the dedicated Gregorian calendar gem stone for August, the Zodiac sign of Leo, or the lion, contains gemstones that correspond to the July 23 through August 22nd birth dates. Leo gems include diamonds, sardonyx, rubies and carnelians.
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References
- Photo Credit calendar for 2007 (august) image by Sergey Galushko from Fotolia.com
