Peridot: Meaning & Green Gemstone in Jewelry

Peridot is the luminous green gemstone of August — an olivine that carries its green entirely within itself, without any external coloring agents. In ancient Egypt, peridot was known as the “gemstone of the sun.” At Splendido Jewelry, we set it in genuine 585 gold, where its fresh olive green is shown to particularly warm effect.

Peridot is the gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine. Its characteristic green does not come from trace elements introduced from outside, but from the iron content within the stone itself — making peridot one of the few gemstones that occurs in only one color. Its range extends from fresh lime green through rich olive green to warm yellow-green. An older name you may encounter is chrysolite; today, the name peridot has become established.

Particularly beautiful stones display a silky, almost oily sheen. It is precisely this lively shimmer that makes peridot such a rewarding colored gemstone for jewelry that may stand out without being loud. Unlike many other green gemstones, peridot is almost never treated or color-enhanced in a laboratory — what you see is the stone’s natural color.

Peridot forms deep within the Earth and reaches the surface through volcanic activity — some stones even travel to Earth as part of meteorites. Historically, the finest specimens came from the Egyptian island of Zabargad in the Red Sea, which was mined thousands of years ago. Today, significant deposits are found in Pakistan, Myanmar, China, Arizona, and at a volcano in Vietnam. Stones from great depths are considered particularly pure and intense in color.

Peridot’s meaning is closely associated with light and joy. In ancient Egypt, the stone was mined on the island of Zabargad in the Red Sea and revered as the “gemstone of the sun” — it was said to drive away the terrors of the night. In ancient Rome, peridot was regarded as a stone of consolation, while in the Middle Ages it adorned church vestments and reliquaries.

To this day, peridot is culturally associated with warmth, clarity, and a fresh beginning. In many traditions, it symbolizes confidence and connection — reasons why it makes a wonderful gift. One fascinating historical detail: Some famous emeralds in old treasuries later turned out to be peridot, as the two green stones were confused for one another for a long time. What matters to us is that these meanings are cultural and historical traditions, not claims of health benefits.

Peridot is the traditional birthstone for the month of August. Anyone with a late-summer birthday can find a particularly personal connection in its luminous green — and a gift that goes beyond the gesture itself. In some traditions, peridot also has an established place as the stone for the 16th wedding anniversary. Its fresh green suits the season: high summer, long evenings, and nature in full maturity are reflected in its color.

Peridot ranks around 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness. That is robust enough for beautiful everyday jewelry, but somewhat more delicate than a sapphire or diamond. With a little care, peridot will accompany you for many years:

• Clean gently: lukewarm water, a drop of mild dish soap, and a soft cloth. Avoid harsh products.
• Avoid heat: peridot is sensitive to significant temperature changes — remove it before using a sauna, bathing, or exercising.
• Store separately: harder stones can scratch its surface. A separate compartment or pouch provides protection.
• Keep away from acids: apply perfume and cosmetics first, then put on your jewelry.

Read more about properly cleaning jewelry with gemstones in our guide Cleaning & caring for jewelry.

Peridot’s olive green harmonizes especially beautifully with warm yellow gold, which makes the color glow. In summer, peridot looks fresh with light shades and linen; in autumn, it pairs wonderfully with warm earth and berry tones. If you like, combine it with other colored gemstones such as amethyst or topaz for a lively interplay of colors. You can find a selection in our gold necklaces with gemstones and gold rings with gemstones.

As with any colored gemstone, color is the main factor in determining quality: an intense, even green with a lively sheen is more sought-after than a pale or overly yellow tone. Clarity, cut, and size also play a role. Larger stones with clear green color are rarer and therefore more valuable. Since peridot is generally untreated, you are buying a gemstone in its natural beauty — an aspect many people appreciate.

For jewelry, this means that a well-cut peridot in a warm gold setting looks lively and elegant without costing a fortune. This balance of genuine materials and a fair price is exactly what matters to us at Splendido Jewelry.

At Splendido Jewelry, you will find hand-picked, carefully selected pieces featuring peridot set in genuine 585 gold by Italian goldsmiths. Discover our necklace with peridot in a diamond halo and the matching ring with peridot in a diamond halo. Discover more colored gemstones in our complete gold jewelry collection. At Splendido Jewelry, you enjoy free shipping and free returns, as well as a 30-day return policy.

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