Birthstone Showcase: Peridot

If you or someone you love was born in August, your birthstone is peridot: a vivid, yellow-green gemstone with a history stretching back thousands of years. The August birthstone is one of the most distinctive in the calendar, and its luminous olive-to-lime colour makes it one of the most immediately recognisable.

Whether you're looking for a meaningful birthday gift, a piece of birthstone jewellery for yourself, or simply want to learn more about what makes peridot special, this guide covers everything you need to know.

Shop the Peridot Evil Eye Ring

Peridot: The August Birthstone

Peridot is one of only a small number of gemstones that forms in a single colour. Its yellow-green to olive hue comes from iron within its chemical structure rather than from trace impurities, which means no two stones are quite the same, but all carry that signature warmth.

The stone has been prized since antiquity. Ancient Egyptians called it the "gem of the sun" and mined it from the volcanic island of Zabargad in the Red Sea for over 3,500 years. In Hawaiian tradition, peridot is believed to be the tears of the volcano goddess Pele, a connection to its volcanic origins that adds a layer of meaning to an already distinctive stone.

As the august birthstone, peridot is associated with strength, vitality, and positive energy. It is traditionally gifted to mark the sixteenth wedding anniversary, but it is equally at home as a birthday piece, a personal treat, or a meaningful keepsake for anyone drawn to its colour.

For related reading, read the Birthstone Showcase: Tanzanite.

Why Choose Peridot?

Peridot jewellery offers something that very few gemstones can: a colour that is entirely its own. While emerald and tourmaline share the green spectrum, peridot's warm, almost glowing yellow-green is immediately distinguishable and pairs beautifully with both yellow and white gold.

On the Mohs hardness scale, peridot sits at 6.5–7, making it durable enough for everyday wear with reasonable care. It's softer than sapphire or diamond, so it's worth avoiding knocks against very hard surfaces, but for rings, earrings, pendants, and necklaces worn regularly, it holds up well.

Compared to emerald, peridot is typically a more affordable and lower-maintenance option. Emeralds are frequently treated with oils or resins to improve clarity, whereas peridot is generally untreated, meaning the colour and character you see is entirely natural.

Larger, richly saturated peridot stones above a few carats do become noticeably rarer and more valuable, but across most sizes the stone offers genuine beauty at a price point that makes it one of the more accessible coloured gemstones in fine jewellery.

Explore all Coloured Gemstone Jewellery

Shop the Initial & Heart Birthstone Necklace

Shop Our Peridot Jewellery Collection

At Armans Fine Jewellery, our peridot birthstone jewellery collection is handcrafted in Sydney using natural peridot stones selected for their colour and clarity. Each piece is made to order, ensuring quality and care at every stage.

Our Peridot Diamond Studs are a standout piece: bezel-set peridot encircled by white diamonds, combining the warmth of the stone with the brilliance of diamond in a setting that works from everyday wear to special occasions.

Shop the Peridot Diamond Studs 

Shop the Block Font Initial Pendant with Birthstone Bezel

Peridot is a gemstone with real history, real character, and a colour that belongs entirely to itself. Whether you're celebrating an August birthday, a sixteenth anniversary, or simply looking for a piece of coloured gemstone jewellery that stands apart, it is a stone worth knowing.

Explore the Peridot Jewellery collection online or book a consultation at our Sydney boutique to find the perfect gift. Book a Consultation with Armans Fine Jewellery

FAQs About Peridot

What is the birthstone for August?

Peridot is the official birthstone for August. The august birthstone is known for its distinctive yellow-green to olive colour, formed by iron within its structure rather than external trace elements.

How do you pronounce peridot?

Peridot is pronounced "PEHR-ih-doh" the T at the end is silent. It is a French-derived word, which explains the silent ending.

Is peridot durable enough for everyday wear?

Yes, with reasonable care. Peridot sits at 6.5–7 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it suitable for regular wear in earrings, pendants, and rings. It is softer than sapphire or diamond, so it's best to avoid hard knocks, but for most everyday jewellery uses it performs well.

What's the difference between peridot and emerald?

Both are green gemstones, but they are quite different in tone and character. Peridot jewellery tends toward a warmer, more yellow-green or olive hue, while emerald sits in a deeper, cooler green. Emeralds are also frequently treated to improve clarity, whereas peridot is almost always untreated, making it a more natural and typically more affordable alternative.

Are peridots rare or valuable?

Peridot is relatively accessible compared to gems like tanzanite or emerald, which is part of what makes it such an appealing choice for fine jewellery. Larger stones with rich, saturated colour above a few carats do become noticeably rarer and more valuable, but across most sizes it offers genuine beauty at an accessible price point.