AUGUST BIRTHSTONES - PERIDOT

BIRTHSTONE OF THE MONTH - PERIDOT Peridot is the official birthstone for the month of August. It is also the stone for the Zodiac sign of Libra. Peridot may also be given as a gem on the 16th wedding anniversary. The name Peridot is pronounced (Pear- a- doe). Peridot is the gem variety of olivine and ranges between 6.5 and 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Gem quality peridot comes from Arizona, Burma, Norway, islands in the Red Sea, Hawaii and is sometimes found in meteorites. It's been mined as a gemstone for thousands of years, and is mentioned in the Bible under the name of Chrysolite. Legend says that peridot was one of the favorite gemstones of Cleopatra and that some of the "emeralds" worn by her were actually peridot. Peridot is thought to bring the wearer good luck, peace, and success.