Peridot is the yellowish-green form of Olivine, a composite silicon oxide. Its colour marries perfectly with yellow gold.
Peridot is the birthstone for August.
Peridot is perhaps derived from the French word peritot which means unclear, probably due to the inclusions and cloudy nature of large stones. It could also be named from the Arabic word faridat which means gem. In either case, peridot has been mined as a gemstone for an estimated four thousand years or better, and is mentioned in the Bible under the Hebrew name of pitdah. Peridot gems along with other gems were probably used in the fabled Breastplates of the Jewish High Priest, artifacts that have never been found. The Greeks and Romans refered to peridot as topazion and topazius respectively and this name was later given to topaz, to end the confusion with the two gems. Historical legend has it that peridot was the favorite gemstone of Cleopatra. Pliny wrote about the green stone form Zagbargad Island in 1500 B.C. The Romans called peridot evening emerald, since its green color did not darken at night but was still visible by lamplight. Peridot had the power to drive away evil spirits and the power was considered to be even more intense when the stone was set in gold. Peridot was also said to strengthen the power of any medicine drunk from goblets carved from the gemstone. Peridot is treasured in Hawaii as the goddess Pele's tears. Even until recently have jewelers used the term chrysolite latin for golden stone in refering to peridot gems for some reason. This term has also been used to refer to other gemstones, of a more golden color.
