The birthstone
for August is the peridot.
Peridot, a gem variety of the mineral olivine, was mined on St.
John's Island (also called Zebirget) in the Red Sea, as early
as 1300 B.C. At that time, the island was known as Topazios, and
the green gems were called "Topaz." The Egyptian kings
favored these gems, which were often mined under very harsh conditions.
It is said that pirates discovered peridot on Zebirget, but the
island was often hidden by heavy fog, and its location was lost
for centuries. Zebirget and the peridot mines were rediscovered
in the 1900s.
Peridot is a gem that's been connected to superstition throughout
the ages. Associated with the sun, peridot is believed to have
the power to break evil spells and dispel the mysteries of the
dark. During the Middle Ages, people wore peridot to gain foresight
and divine inspiration.
Mohs hardness: 6.5-7
Refractive Index: 1.635-1.690
Specific Gravity: 3.22-3.45
The toughness of peridot is poor. Peridot may be cleaned by using
an untreated cloth only.
Color: Pale green to medium olive green
