One of the world's most ancient gemstones, gorgeous green peridot also serves as the modern birthstone for August. Peridot is known for its lime and olive hues, and its excellent transparency lends it an irresistible gleam when set in gemstone jewelry. The August birthstone peridot is perfect for gifts to celebrate birthdays or special events. Other less common August birthstones also include spinel and sardonyx.
Gemstone meaning is tied to the individual story of each stone. Peridot has a long history stretching back to the ancient Egyptians, who used the luminous gemstone to protect against nightmares and evil spirits. They associated peridot with light, calling it the "gem of the sun."
